Attorney

Job Title: Attorney – Sinton

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Department:              Government and Legal Affairs/Public Information Officer

Pay Grade:                 120                                         

FLSA Status:             Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

This position reports to the County Judge and Commissioners Court with the County Judge being the immediate supervisor. The Attorney is responsible for the overall development and implementation of the County’s Governmental and Legal Affairs programs and services. This position assists the County Judge and Commissioners in the performance of the functions and activities that are necessary for the effective operation of day to day county government. Requires providing day-to-day legal support to the County Judge, Commissioners Court and other county elected officials as requested; reviewing county employment policies, contracts and purchasing procedures; and chairing or serving on committees with project groups or at public meetings.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:      

  • Coordinates with other county departments and offices in overseeing and implementing the directives of the Commissioners Court;
  • Oversees the appointment process of all Advisory Boards of San Patricio County;
  • Assists with the preparing of the County’s annual proposed budget for the Commissioners Court. Review and discussion in Budget Workshops, ensuring proposed ad valorem tax levy information is properly presented to the public through notices and public hearings in accordance with the truth-in-taxation requirements, and presenting the annual proposed budget and tax levy to the Commissioners Court for formal adoption;
  • Works closely with the County Judge in implementing the annual budget, monitoring expenditures, approving purchases, and investing funds to ensure sound fiscal management of county funds and resources;
  • Serves as liaison between San Patricio County and other governmental entities, private sector groups, business/industry leaders and non-profit organizations in order to maintain presences in regional and state matters;
  • Representing San Patricio County interests before state legislative committees during sessions of the Texas Legislature and interim periods and acting as liaison to the Commissioners Court on all legislative issues as well as maintaining ongoing contacts with the local legislative delegation;
  • Provides legal guidance relating to contracts, county procurement, employment law issues, economic incentives to include preparing tax abatement agreements, and handles legal questions related to Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act;
  • Participates in discussions and decision-making. Develops strategies and organizational planning efforts and reviews and revises policy and procedures;
  • Collaborates and communicates with Commissioners Court as well as other individuals in leadership positions to provide operational and consultative assistance;
  • Works with Commissioners Court to continually scan the environment for opportunities to strengthen the programs and services of the county;
  • Participates in community and organizational activities/events as an official representative of the County;
  • Provides leadership to develop, implement, and regularly refine the County’s Governmental and Legal Affairs plans;
  • Maintains a visible presence as directed by the Commissioners Court and works as a supportive team member of the Commissioners Court;
  • Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of office staff, if any;
  • Serves as point of contact for the county and other county officials in providing information that addresses current and emerging issues, strategic planning, and county operations and outreach;
  • Provides guidance and staff assistance to county officials;
  • Tracks issues, trends, and politics in the news and advises the Commissioners Court on research findings;
  • Serves as project leader, facilitator, or staff representative on a variety of special projects and committees involving county departments and staff from other agencies;
  • Makes public presentations to the Commissioners Court, other public bodies, and community organizations on issues and projects;
  • Maintains contacts and collaborative relationships with governing bodies, federal agencies, state agencies, interest groups, and key partners; Coordinates preparation of briefing materials and assists in facilitating media coverage for these activities;
  • Attends public meetings as representative of the County, on frequent occasions such meetings may occur in evening hours or require out-of-town travel;
  • Prepares and reviews the preparation of correspondence, project reports, and media releases;
  • Coordinates research to identify and evaluate innovative approaches to the cost-effective provision of county services;
  • Serves as Public Information Officer in coordinating public relation activities such as preparing and distributing news releases, speeches, and other official county documents and publications, and organizing news conferences on behalf of the Commissioners Court; and
  • Performs other assigned duties.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

  • Juris Doctor degree and minimum six (6) years legal practice experience with increased professional responsibilities;
  • Six (6) years of related work experience;
  • Valid State of Texas Driver’s License.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test and physical standard exam as described in personnel handbook; and
  • Must provide reliable transportation when a county vehicle is not available to perform job duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations related to County operations;
  • Knowledge of county purchasing statutes, policies, and procedures;
  • Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures;
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar or job-related programs);
  • Skill in planning and organizing work;
  • Skill in interpersonal relations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public;
  • Skill in verbal and written communication;
  • Skill in the use of small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems;
  • Skill in using computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes;
  • Ability to prepare press releases, speeches, articles, social media posts, and other materials for public consumption;
  • Ability to develop strategies and procedures for working effectively with the media;
  • Ability to communicate concisely and effectively both orally and in writing;
  • Ability to make effective public presentations to elected officials and community groups;
  • Ability to manage, coordinate, and prepare effective reports on complex projects;
  • Ability to perform a full range of supervisory and management tasks, including work planning and assignment, employee evaluation, and special projects planning;
  • Ability to work effectively with elected officials, county department, other governmental entities, consultants, the media, and the public.
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions;
  • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables;
  • Ability to work independently without supervision; and
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively with other employees and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:     

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office or meeting and training rooms, e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire and building safety regulations, and traffic signals when driving.

Full-Time Regular Position

Base Salary: $7,700.76 Monthly

Salary: Based on License

Deadline for Applications: Open Until Filled

Applicants must submit resume to:  [email protected]