What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant City Attorney position at City of Hialeah Municipal Government?
Salary is based on a combination of education and experience.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK
The purpose of this position is to assist the City Attorney in administering the activities of the Office of City Attorney, and in the performance of a wide variety of difficult professional legal duties which include providing services for all municipal departments, the City Council, advisory boards, and Mayor; accomplish difficult legal activities primarily involving code enforcement and labor/ employment law.
ESSENTIAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following illustrates examples of some of the essential duties and responsibilities of the Assistant City Attorney. There may be other essential functions, not listed below, in order to accomplish the tasks as presented by the Supervisor.
• Prepares, examines, and approves contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents and instruments for City departments.
• Research, draft or provide advice on proposed ordinances, resolutions, and other legislation; and research and provide advice on the constitution, laws, court decisions, City Charter, ordinances, and other legal authorities to City department heads and employees in the conduct of their duties.
• Reviews such documents and offers opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the municipality for consideration by an outside agent or agency; confers with the City Attorney to determine legal policy.
• Represents the City in quasi-judicial proceedings such as magistrate hearing and revocation of business tax receipts before City Council.
• Assists in or prepares cases for hearings.
• Represents the municipality in such hearings as required.
• Assists in the preparation of and tries action by the City in eminent domain and other actions filed by the City.
• Prepares petitions for sewer and street improvements and forms for easements, bonds, complaint notices and assessment proceedings.
• Attends meetings of advisory boards and serves as legal counsel at such meetings.
• Represents the City Attorney at various board and commission meetings and in court as required.
• Accomplishes legal research and prepares opinion on various legal problems for municipal departments, the City Council, advisory boards, and City officials.
• Maintains liaison with County and other cities concerning joint powers agreements and mutual litigation.
• Receives visitors and telephone calls from persons wishing to discuss possible complaints, litigation, or other legal problems, and processes as many such cases for the City Attorney as possible.
• Responsible for negotiating, preparing, reviewing, and opining on the legality or sufficiency of contracts and other legal documents based on the nature of the transaction the City is engaged in in its corporate, proprietary or regulatory capacity.
• Performs other related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Considerable knowledge of Federal, State, and municipal civil laws and of constitutional law affecting municipal government.
• Court procedures and rules of evidence, legal research procedures and forms.
• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of the City Charter and ordinances and to apply legal knowledge to varied problems.
• Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Analyze and brief court decisions, provisions of City ordinances, Federal and State statutes.
• Draft legal memorandums, ordinances, and resolutions.
• Reconcile conflicting provisions of laws and court decisions.
• Express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; use excellent English.
• Follow oral and written instructions; work effectively with other employees.
• Meet the general public with courtesy and tact.
• Skill in conducting research on complex legal problems, preparing sound legal opinions, preparing and presenting cases in court.
• Knowledge of the principles and concepts related to local government law is preferred.
• High degree of independence, initiative, communicate effectively, handle several assignments concurrently and develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The following are some of the physical requirements associated with this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made by the City to enable an individual to perform the essential duties/functions of the position.
• Must have ability to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, stand, hear, hands to finger dexterity, handle, feel or operate objects, read and write English.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office equipment; such as but not limited to a personal computer, calculator, copier and fax machines.
• Work is performed indoors within a quiet to moderately noisy environment.
• Must be able to lift, carry and or push articles weighing up to 20 lbs.
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience practicing law.
• Must be an active member in good standing of the Florida Bar.
• Government experience preferred.
Management
Revised: 04/2023
Personnel Board Approved: 05/01/2023