Description:
Summary:The City of Coral Gables, Florida, The City Beautiful, a progressive, international, coastal and historic City is seeking a highly qualified professional who is inspired by interesting challenges of an established, but dynamic community for the position of Assistant City Attorney. The City has a population of approximately 51,000 residents, has a vibrant downtown and is home to the University of Miami. It is proud to be ranked by Forbes.com ninth out of America's Top 25 Towns to Live Well and America's sixth most successful walkable suburb by the Wall Street Journal.
Under general
direction of the City Attorney, or designee, performs professional legal
work. Work involves professional responsibility in coordinating and
administering all legal matters concerning the City of Coral Gables.
Serves as advisor and consultant in the resolution of moderately complex
legal matters with other legal staff and administrators when necessary.
This position is responsible for representing the City in court and
before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government. The
employee supervises support staff, which may include legal assistants,
paralegals, and/or other departmental personnel. Work is characterized
by complexity, frequency, and variety of court preparation and
appearances, and heavy work volume. Work is performed with some
professional independence, subject to minimal supervision of work
product and general guidance as to questions of policy and priorities.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.
- Assists as legal counsel for City programs and agencies generating a wide range of issues, such as those involving land use, planning and zoning, labor, code enforcement, construction regulation, sunshine law, public records, finance, utilities, police matters, general government law, policies, and actions.
- Assists City personnel in responding to public records requests to ensure the assertion of any lawful exemptions and compliance with the law.
- Researches and prepares written legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda as assigned.
- Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
- Advises City officials and employees on legal questions arising in the course of carrying out their duties, including proper legal interpretation and application of statutes, case law, ordinances, and other regulations.
- Assists with the supervision of outside counsel, helps coordinate responses to discovery, and provides reports to the City Attorney regarding the progress of litigation.
- In consultation with the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney, provides legal advice and assistance to official municipal advisory boards and committees.
- Represents the City before quasi-judicial and administrative boards, as needed.
- Monitors Federal and State legislation and case law affecting local government issues.
- Attends Public hearings and meetings as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Professional Law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
- Membership, in good standing, in the Florida Bar.
- Five (5) years of professional experience as an attorney required.
- Local government practice experience and civil practice experience required.
- Valid Florida Driver's License.
- A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
