Salary : $77,241.00 – $103,308.00 Annually
Location: College Station, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Legal Department
Job Number: 2201890
Closing: 2/6/2023 11:59 PM Central
Application Link
Description
Under general supervision of the City Attorney, the Senior Assistant City Attorney oversees and participates in the more complex and difficult work; provides legal assistance to the City Attorney; acts as principal counsel to provide a wide range of professional legal services related to municipal government operations to city departments and various boards and commissions; and provides lead direction to assigned legal staff, as assigned. Work is performed with latitude for exercise of independent professional judgment and action under the general supervision and review of the City Attorney.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF SR. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY I
This is the advanced journey level class in the Assistant City Attorney series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including providing lead supervision and training to lower-level legal staff as assigned. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility and function with a high degree of independence.
Principal Duties
Assistant City Attorney II
- Act as principal counsel in specialized legal matters pertaining to ordinances, resolutions, claims liability, employment, police civil liability, contracting, planning and zoning laws, real estate, public finance and public utilities.
- Direct specified program area activities of the City Attorney’s Office.
- Perform legal research and prepare oral and written opinions on various legal problems on an assigned basis.
- Represent the City Attorney at various City Council, boards and commissions meetings as directed.
- Provide legal advice and assistance to City officials in the area of open government. Perform other related duties as assigned, to include assisting the City Attorney, First Assistant City Attorney and Senior Assistant City Attorney as required.
Sr. Assistant City Attorney I
- Act as principal counsel in specialized legal matters pertaining to ordinances, resolutions, claims liability, employment, police civil liability, contracting, planning and zoning laws, real estate, economic development, public finance and public utilities.
- Represent the City in litigationin State and Federalcourts, and before Federal and State agencies on an as needed basis.
- Manage claims and litigation in which the city is represented by outside counsel.
- Confer with and render assistance to department leaders in establishing departmental policies by applying legal points and procedures; and recommend changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
- Offer opinions as to legal acceptability of contracts and legal documents presented to the City for consideration by third parties.
- Prepare, draft and review a variety of legal documents including contracts, agreements, resolutions, and other agenda items or documents for municipal management.
- Conduct complex legal research and prepare written and oral legal opinions for City departments, the City Council, and various boards and commissions.
- Attend and participate in various meetings to include but not limited to, giving presentations concerning municipal law; providing legal support and advice to the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustments, the Structural Standards Board/ Building Code Board of Adjustments, and other city commissions and boards as needed; and attending City Council meetings to present assigned items or in the absence of the City Attorney.
- Oversee, train, motivate and evaluate assigned staff; work with employees to correct deficiencies; identify and resolve employee concerns and/or problems; direct work; complete employee performance evaluations; and make hiring, terminating and disciplinary decisions or recommendations. (by assignment)
- Provide lead direction to subordinate attorneys, paralegals, and law student clerks, including but not limited to, counseling, advising, and assisting with training.
- Respond to citizen and staff inquiries, providing assistance and advice as necessary to resolve problems.
- Act as City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney, as required and/or as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Assistant City Attorney II
Required:
Law Degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in the State of Texas Three (3) years of recent municipal or other governmental law experience. Knowledge of the principals of municipal law, including ordinances, resolutions, claims liability, employment, police civil liability, contracting, planning and zoning laws, real estate, public finance and/or public utilities. Admission to the Federal Bar after one (1) year of employment. Member in good standing with the Texas State Bar.
Preferred:
Three (3) years progressively responsible experience in a Texas city attorney’s office.
Sr. Assistant City Attorney I
Required:
Graduation from an accredited law school and admission to practice law in the State of Texas. Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal or other governmental law. Knowledge of the principles of civil or criminal law and the methods and practices of pleading. Knowledge of the principles of municipal law, as well as the form of city ordinances, charter provisions, and actual statutory provisions as these relate to the authority and operations of municipalities. Ability to conduct research on complex legal problems and to prepare sound legal opinions and briefs. Ability to prepare and present cases in State and Federal courts and administrative tribunals. Ability to provide training and assistance to legal department staff Excellent oral and written communication skills. Membership in the Texas Bar Association and Texas City Attorney’s Association. Must possess qualifications to gain admission to practice in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Preferred:
Some litigation experience.
Supplemental Information
Please include in your letter of interest why this position fits your current career growth, and if you have passed the Texas BAR exam.
Position posted until filled or closing date.