Assistant City Attorney - (Employment Law)

NATURE OF WORK

This highly responsible professional position serves as a legal advisor and counselor for various City departments. The position involves conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions, advising City officials, and representing the City in litigation and administrative proceedings. Additionally, the Assistant City Attorney will draft and file legal documents, participate in settlement negotiations, and represent the City in hearings and trials. The position entails participation in investigations into employee complaints and advising on employment-related matters. The position requires attending City Commission meetings, providing legal counsel on a wide range of labor and employment issues, and supervising clerical staff. The position demands considerable initiative and independent professional judgment under the general direction of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Represent the City in employment litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Draft position statements for administrative proceedings (i.e., EEOC, FCHR).
• Draft and review employment agreements, policies, and handbooks.
• Advise on compliance with labor and employment laws.
• Assist in investigations of employee discrimination/harassment complaints.
• Provide labor and employment training to City employees.
• Evaluate and develop policies and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and summarize complex legal issues.
• Draft contracts, agreements, memoranda, and legal documents.
• Analyze complaints and claims for law/regulation violations.
• Advise and render legal opinions on state and federal employment law.
• Participate in collective bargaining with employee unions.
• Handle labor disputes, grievances, complaints, and unfair labor practice claims.
• Assist with public records compliance and responding to public records requests.
• Track federal, state, and local legislative amendments.
• Supervise legal and clerical staff.
• Perform related work as required.

Requirements

EDUCATION

• Graduation from law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Doctor of Jurisprudence or an LLM.

EXPERIENCE

• Membership in The Florida Bar and most recent work experience is in the State of Florida.
• Reasonable experience in municipal, local government, or related law, including the following subject areas: drafting municipal ordinances and resolutions, Sunshine law, public records, public procurement, grants, contract drafting and administration, labor and employment law, police, fire, land use/zoning, ethics, utilities, municipal pension law, construction law, code enforcement, public finance, civil litigation including ? 1983 liability, criminal litigation, or other local government-related experience.
• Must have considerable experience in arbitration or civil litigation, with reasonable years of experience in labor and employment matters, including litigation and counseling. The ideal candidate will have litigation experience defending employment labor and cases.
• Preference will be given to candidates that have some or substantial experience in labor or employment litigation involving government employers.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATION

• Member of The Florida Bar in good standing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as computers, scanners, calculator, copier, and fax machine.
• No significant standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling is required.
• Ability to perform minimal lifting, not to exceed 10 pounds of force, which may be required on a limited basis.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of local, state and federal law.
• Knowledge of legal procedures in the areas of assignment.
• Knowledge of legal instruments in applicable fields of law.
• Knowledge of legal procedures in the areas of assignment, including local court rules and rules of procedure.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to conduct thorough legal research and prepare various legal documents, memoranda, and summaries.
• Ability to prosecute and defend civil cases through trial.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to assign and supervise the work of staff in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various government officials and the public.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, representatives of private businesses, service and civic organizations, and the public.