City Attorney

Exempt – full-time.

Salary Range $130,000 – $150,000- DOQ

JOB SUMMARY: The City Attorney performs highly complex professional level work as legal advisor to the City of Del Rio, Mayor and City Council, City staff and various boards and commissions. The City Attorney must skills and experience necessary to handle most municipal government legal matters, but also seeks assistance of outside council as deemed necessary. The ideal candidate will also be proactive in anticipating issues and opportunities rather than reacting to issues that arise. This position requires a highly experienced professional level attorney who can provide expert assistance and solid legal advice.  Performs other related work as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

  • Renders oral and written legal opinions to the Mayor and City Council, City Manager, and Department Directors and other City staff as required.
  • Represents the City as legal counsel in court proceedings, administrative hearings, mediations, arbitrations, general civil matters, and dispute resolutions.
  • Researches, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs.
  • Gathers evidence in civil, criminal, and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action.
  • Prepares a variety of legal documents relating to municipal operations including court opinions, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, releases, agreements, deeds, leases, and other legal documents as required.
  • Interprets laws, rulings and regulations for City officials and staff.
  • Determines the potential consequences of a proposed action and presents facts and legal conclusions to the Mayor, City Council and City Management.
  • Coordinates with law firms and attorneys providing representation for the City in litigation and other matters.  Serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and City officials on legal issues.
  • Analyzes legislation including proposed state and federal legislation affecting the City.
  • Interprets City ordinances and administrative policy for staff and the public.
  • Answers communications relative to municipal ordinances and legal matters affecting the City.
  • Investigates complaints and claims by or against the City.
  • Plans, organizes, and directs the work of the City Attorney’s office, including supervision of employees.
  • Travels to attend meetings and conferences.
  • Attends City Council and a variety of Board and Commission meetings.
  • Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

OTHER ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

  • Attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this City position and is a non-rotating, 40 or more-hour work week, variable days and with working additional hours as needed for scheduled evening meetings.
  • Employees are required to work in a professional environment as a teammate and frequently meet with co-workers and supervisors; employee is required to communicate in-person with the public during business hours.
  • Minimal travel may be required to attend conferences and/or training seminars required training.
  • May be required to operate a city vehicle.
  • During emergency response situations for our community, such as floods, the position may be tasked with additional duties as needed in emergency operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives administrative supervision from the City Council.  Responsible for the supervisory duties over the Legal Department’s professional and administrative staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The principal duties of this position are performed in a standard office setting.  Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and reach; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and coordination including use of a computer keyboard.  Must be able to maintain effective audio/visual perception needed for making observations and communicating with others. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described throughout this job description are typical of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in this position’s work environment varies from low to moderate levels.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED: Personal computer and software including Microsoft Office (MSWord, Excel, Power Point) and typical office equipment.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING POLICY:  This position may be subject to the City of Del Rio’s Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy which may include Pre-employment testing, Post-Accident Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion Testing, Return to Duty Testing, and Follow-Up Testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

  • A Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school and license to practice law in the State of Texas required.  The candidate shall be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas and licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas and the must obtain licensure to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas within one year of hire.
  • Five (5) years of experience as a licensed attorney.
  • Two (2) years in municipal legal work, required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Extensive knowledge of various Texas law, City Codes and Charter provisions; additionally, a good understanding of human resources law, procurement law, Texas Civil Service law, Local Government Law, Public Information Act, and Open Government Law.
  • Skilled in negotiating agreements, which accommodate conflicting interests and viewpoints.
  • Working knowledge of the scope and function of City Council/Manager municipal form of government including staffing, budget, and program execution.
  • Skilled in performing legal research on a wide variety of legal matters.
  • Skilled in drafting contracts, complex legal opinions, ordinances, agreements, leases, deeds, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
  • Ability to prepare sound legal opinions using independent judgment.
  • Effective leadership methods and supervisory skills.
  • Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.
  • Skill in oral and written communications; ability to apply arguments to very specific instances.
  • Ability to prepare and present effective public presentations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City management, City departments, other professionals, and the general public.
  • Skill in courteously and effectively working with the public.
  • Skilled in supervising and counseling employees.  
  • Skilled in analyzing and evaluating.
  • Ability to develop, interpret and apply departmental policies and procedures in making work decisions or in providing information to others.
  • Ability to make decisions, exercise resourcefulness, organize, and prioritize tasks to meet a variety of demands.
  • Skill in operating standard office equipment, including a personal computer using programs appropriate to assigned duties.
  • Ability to travel and attend a variety of meetings.
  • Knowledgeable in use of on-line research tools.

Other Conditions of Employment:

  • Valid Texas Driver’s License Class C with a clear driving record.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS and EMPLOYEES

  • The City of Del Rio investigates and obtains information from all references, both personal and professional, employers, public agencies, licensing authorities, and educational institutions to obtain information about applicants and to otherwise verify the accuracy of information provided in the application.
  • The city does not unlawfully discriminate in employment practices and no question on the application is used for the purpose of limiting or excusing any applicant from consideration for employment on a basis prohibited and protected by applicable Local, State or Federal law.
  • Applicants must agree to submit to any medical examination and/or drug and alcohol testing to determine the ability to perform the duties of the position which applied for, and employment is contingent upon the results thereof.
  • Falsifying any information on the application, may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process as per city policy.
  • Prior to hire, the city will conduct a Texas background check for employment to include and up to following types of searches: Criminal history search, Employment verification, Education verification, Social Security Number (SSN) trace, Professional license verification, Sex offender registry search, Pre-employment drug test.
  • The city, if hiring for jobs involving driving also might request driver’s license motor vehicle records checks.
  • Positions requiring credit checks, will be completed in accordance with the Texas Business and Commerce Code § 20.05.
  • More information can be found at https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.20.html      
  • If an offer of employment is made, the applicant is required to provide proof of identity and legal authority to work in the United States as per Federal immigration laws requiring form I-9.

THE CITY OF DEL RIO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER