ASSISTANT TOWN ATTORNEY

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt   

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 described here.Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned that are not specifically spelled out in this job description, but which may be reasonably considered to require similar knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Summary of Position:

A Town employee that reports to and works at the direction of the Town Attorney. The Assistant Town Attorney will handle a wide variety of legal matters. The attorney will work with a variety of stakeholders including the Town Manager’s office, department heads, and the Town Council, and will aid the Town in its service to a highly engaged community.  This is the ideal job for a local government law generalist who shares the Town of Chapel Hill values of equity, inclusion, and social justice.

What you can expect to be doing (Essential Functions):

• Provides daily legal counsel to Town Council, the Town Manager, and Town departments on nearly all aspects of the Town’s work, represents the Town in judicial and administrative proceedings, and advises selected Town boards and commissions.  
• Participates, over time, in nearly all aspects of the office’s work, from reviewing contracts, to advising on land use and zoning matters, to advising on employment matters, negotiating settlements, to drafting and revising ordinances and policies. 
• Exercises independent judgment and initiative and must communicate promptly, courteously, and clearly about Town legal matters. Impeccable legal ethics and a commitment to fairness are essential.
• Completes all other duties as assigned.

Do you supervise or not?

This position requires supervising and monitoring the performance of other employees. 

What are the physical demands?

The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, with intermittent standing or stooping. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.

Where and how do you work?

The work is typically performed in an office. Occasional night meeting attendance required.

What do you need to know to do this job effectively?

Knowledge of:

• North Carolina laws, especially as they pertain to municipal governments

Ability to: 

• Work autonomously with minimal supervision
• Use web-based software systems 
• Use Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or similar tools
• Solve problems and make sound decisions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and customers
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Use strong verbal and writing skills.
• Use strong research, organizational, and problem-solving skills. 
• Model behavior that is consistent with the Town’s RESPECT values.

What is education and/or experience do you need to be considered for this job? 

Education:

A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law is required. History of strong academic achievement preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of experience as a practicing attorney performing relevant, high-level legal work; or comparable legal teaching experience; or a combination thereof.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in local government or public entity law, particularly North Carolina municipal law. 
• Experience with contract law; land use and zoning law; employment law; and/or litigation, quasi-judicial proceedings, and/or administrative hearings.

What are the safety considerations for this job?

• You will be subject to the Drug and Alcohol-free Workplace (Download PDF reader) policy.
• You will be subject to the Safe Driving and Accident (Download PDF reader) Policy.  

Here is other information you should know about the position:

• A valid NC driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required. 
• License to practice law in North Carolina in good standing, or licensure reciprocity. 
• Licensure in North Carolina preferred. 

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

The Town of Chapel Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.