Senior Assistant City Attorney

***This executive position is exempt from Veteran's Preference according to FL Statute 110.205 (2) (j)***

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• Jurisprudence doctorate (J.D.) degree and at least twelve (12) years of experience practicing law. 
• Board certification in a relevant legal specialty required. Human Resources, Real Estate, Construction, and/or City, County, Local Government board certification preferred. 

 Licenses or Certifications:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and membership in good standing with The Florida Bar. 
• Possession of an appropriate driver’s license for equipment operated and any license, training, or certification required by law or regulation to complete assigned tasks.

Special Requirements:

• None.

JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Assistant City Attorney performs professional work in the area of legal interpretation and legal representation. An employee in this class serves under the direction of the City Attorney and performs a variety of legal duties supporting the Office of the City Attorney. 
 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Lead and manage complex cases, including litigation and appellate matters. 
• Performs legal research and prepares legal opinions at the direction of the City Attorney. 
• Represents the City's interests in all cases in state and federal courts, including appellate courts, as well as at various board and commission meetings.  
• Reviews, drafts, revises, and approves contracts, ordinances, resolutions, memoranda, and correspondence on behalf of the City. 
• Participates in seminars, training, and continuing education to maintain professional knowledge and bar license requirements.
• Provides legal guidance and recommendations in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies. 
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with the judiciary, other lawyers, elected officials, City staff and citizen, lawyers and legal assistants.
• Provides training and guidance to City staff on compliance, legal matters, and policy implementation.
• Provides legal review and responses to complicated public records requests, subpoenas, and other discovery related issues.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.  

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. 
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Extensive knowledge of particular areas of the law dependent on position and assignments. 
• Knowledge of Federal and State law affecting municipal operations. 
• Knowledge of local government functions, procedures, and law. 
• Ability to advise a variety of persons on legal matters. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the judiciary, other lawyers, elected officials, City staff, and citizens. 
• Ability to analyze simple to complex scenarios to provide legal advice accordingly. 
• Ability to multi-task while working with tight deadlines and shifting priorities. 
• Ability to organize work for timely completion. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, and members of the public. 
• Ability to prepare simple to complex legal documents on a timely basis. 
• Eligible to be bonded.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to hold or feel, reach with hands and arms, stand, sit, walk, talk, see, hear, and use a computer, including frequent use of a keyboard and mouse. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, and crouch. Specific vision abilities include near distance, far distance, color, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee may be required to drive to other locations in order to complete an assignment or duty. 


WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
 

The City of Pensacola has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

 
The City of Pensacola provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability,  genetic information,  service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.