Job Description

Legal Services Attorney

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, provides a wide range of professional legal services to the City Commission, City departments and advisory boards and committees. Performs related administrative and professional work as required.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists the City Attorney by providing legal services for the City as assigned.
• Represents and advises City departments and boards in matters that require the professional services of an attorney.
• Conducts legal research concerning complex problems or projects; drafts opinions containing recommendations or solutions.
• Drafts, reviews, and analyzes resolutions, ordinances, and other proposed legislation of a unique or complex nature.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, leases, real estate instruments, and other legal documents of a unique or complex nature.
• Confers with and assists City departments in drafting internal policies, procedures, and templates.
• Attends City Commission meetings, workshops, and advisory board meetings as assigned.
• Keeps up to date on relevant court decisions, administrative decisions, legislation, and issues pertaining to local government law and related municipal matters.
• Coordinates with special counsel, manages administrative matters and litigation, and attends hearings as assigned.
• Makes presentations in public meetings and provides training to public officials and staff.
• Communicates with City leadership on progress of assigned legal work and its timely completion.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Substantive knowledge of relevant state and federal law and their application to the essential functions of the job.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe.
• Skilled in conducting research on complex legal issues and drafting sound legal opinions.
• Skilled in using small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to prepare and present cases in court, mediation, and arbitration.
• Ability to review and draft resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, and other legal documents.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in addressing complex legal problems.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage priorities, and multi-task while working in challenging and time sensitive situations with shifting priorities.
• Ability to organize work for timely completion.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships through contact and cooperation.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience: Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school. Minimum of five (5) years of work experience as a practicing attorney a substantial amount of which has been in the practice of local government law or related field. Related field includes: land use and zoning, labor and employment, real estate, litigation and appeals, administrative hearing, eminent domain, procurement/public finance, public records, and Sunshine Law. (A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.) Licenses and Certifications: Must be an attorney eligible to practice law in Florida with an active Florida Bar license and in good standing with the Florida Bar.

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

The City of Nort Port, FL is an Affirmative Action/ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

Benefits

All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.

Aetna – Health Insurance The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.

Cigna Dental– Dental Insurance The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.

EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.

Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.

Cigna – Short Term Disability The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.

E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.

Trustmark– Supplemental Polices Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.

LifeLock Benefit Solutions Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.

ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.

Florida Retirement System – FRS Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.

Cigna – Employee Assistance Program The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.

VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.

Florida Prepaid College Board Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.

Educational Assistance Program Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).

Paid Holidays The City observes 13 paid holidays per year.

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