Description

Make a dierence in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Job Details:

Advanced, independent, professional legal work providing counsel and assistance to the City of Gainesville and Gainesville Regional Utilities, Charter Officers, senior and mid-level management, and the citizen boards and committees. 

Positions allocated to this classification report to the City Attorney.  Within areas of assignment/specialization, required to, without direct supervision, deal with matters involving moderate to high degrees of difficulty and complexity, being fully accountable for work product. 

Preferred candidate will have experience with Utilities, Juris Doctorate Degree, be a current member of the Florida Bar, and a high level of independent professional judgment. 

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Advanced, independent, professional legal work providing counsel and assistance to the City Commission, all Charter Officers, senior and mid-level management, and the citizen boards and committees.

Positions allocated to this classification report to the City Attorney.  Within areas of assignment/specialization, required to, without direct supervision, deal with matters involving moderate to high degrees of difficulty and complexity, being fully accountable for work product.

Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its limited management responsibility, Juris Doctorate Degree, state licensure, and high independent professional judgment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position.  The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job.  Performance of lower level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides guidance and advice to the City Commission, all Charter Officers, and senior and mid-level management through review of organizational goals and objectives as they relate or apply to federal, state, and local laws and judicial decisions of federal and state courts, with analysis of alternative, and potentially conflicting, policy directions.  

Recommends major policy or procedure changes and coordinates intricate implementation strategies that comply with the requirements of law.  

Assists senior and mid-level management and the City Commission in administration of policies and procedures that comply with the requirements of law.

Participates in the negotiation, preparation and review of contracts, intergovernmental agreements and other written instruments.

Renders legal opinions on questions of fact and law.

Advises on, prepares and reviews internal and external management directives and position statements.

Prepares or reviews ordinances, resolutions, policies, regulations and procedures to be adopted and promulgated by the City Commission and senior management, as appropriate.

Prepares and reviews deeds, easements, leases and other documents in connection with the acquisition and disposal of property rights.

Represents the City as issuer’s counsel in debt financing matters, reviews and prepares documents related to same.

Represents and/or manages the representation of the City in matters and actions, both for and against the City in actions arising out of the operations of the City before State and Federal courts and administrative bodies.

Attends meetings of the City Commission, its agencies, boards and committees.

Delegates work to the Assistant City Attorneys I and II; and supervises their performance and professional development.

Assists the City Attorney in operating and maintaining a professional legal office and department and assumes responsibility for all duties of the City Attorney when required. 

Attends continuing legal education courses.

Stays current with court decisions, administrative decisions, legislation, and problems relevant to local government law and related matters.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

May be required to work with, or will have access to, information or documents pertaining to criminal investigations, especially those dealing with drug-related activity.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctorate and membership in The Florida Bar and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional legal experience;

or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required knowledge, ability and skills. 

Preference will be given to candidates with intermediate to advanced level of knowledge in federal, state and local law, regulations and practices in the area of:  Real Property; Environmental; Litigation; Utilities; Police Legal Advisor; Employment and Labor Law; Land Use/Redevelopment; or other practice area relevant to the position. Must meet all the requirements established for an Assistant City Attorney II.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

Membership in The Florida Bar required at the time of application.

Certifications

Preference will be given to those who hold valid board certification(s) issued by The Florida Bar in a practice area relevant to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of legal principles and concepts and ability to apply them appropriately.

Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and judicial decisions of federal and state courts, including regulations and their enforcement as they apply to local governments.

Thorough knowledge of local government law.

Knowledge of computers and relevant software.

Ability to negotiate effectively.

Ability to prepare ordinances, legal documents, and render legal opinions.

Ability to analyze, evaluate and organize facts, evidence, and legal procedures to present information orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other officials, and employees of the City, county, state and federal governments, and the general public.

Ability to handle several assignments concurrently, and prioritize effectively.

Ability to maintain security and confidentiality.

Ability to supervise others. 

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Will be required to attend meetings outside of regular business hours.

Not permitted to practice law, or engage in any other employment without the express consent of the City Attorney.

Note: 

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville oers a competitive benets package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benets such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also oer great things like on-site tness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical sta and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctorate and membership in The Florida Bar and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional legal experience;

or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required knowledge, ability and skills. 

Preference will be given to candidates with intermediate to advanced level of knowledge in federal, state and local law, regulations and practices in the area of:  Real Property; Environmental; Litigation; Utilities; Police Legal Advisor; Employment and Labor Law; Land Use/Redevelopment; or other practice area relevant to the position. Must meet all the requirements established for an Assistant City Attorney II.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

Membership in The Florida Bar required at the time of application.

Certifications

Preference will be given to those who hold valid board certification(s) issued by The Florida Bar in a practice area relevant to the position.