Deputy City Attorney Position for the City of Coconut Creek, FL

Friday, November 16, 2018 12:55 PM | Nakia Ruffin (Administrator)

CITY OF COCONUT CREEK
Department of Human Resources
4800 W. Copans Road
Coconut Creek, FL 33063

http://www.coconutcreek.net
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF:
Deputy City Attorney
 

An Equal Opportunity Employer
SALARY
   $98,000.00 - $150,000.00 Annually

OPENING DATE: 11/13/18

CLOSING DATE: 12/20/18

THE POSITION

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs work as a recognized subject matter expert in the City Attorney's office.  Provides legal advice and counsel to the City Commission, City Manager, City Staff, and City Advisory Boards.  The employee attends meetings of the City Commission and advisory boards, as necessary, represents the City before various local and state departments and other governmental subdivisions, reviews and/or prepares legal documents and legal opinions, as well as assists the City Attorney in more difficult and complex questions and problems. Supervision is exercised over legal and clerical staff, which includes training and evaluating work performance. General direction is received from the City Attorney; however, significant latitude is provided requiring the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Position requires a high level of critical thinking and ingenuity in bringing successful resolution to unusually complex and strategic situations and issues.


Job Requirements: All applicants for the Deputy City Attorney position must submit a completed application and must be  licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and be in good standing with the Florida Bar. Failure to submit a completed application and/or failure to be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and/or failure to be in good standing with the Florida Bar will be grounds for immediate disqualification.  

Hours of Work: Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Hours are subject to change

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
 

  • Advises the City Commission, City Manager, City staff, and City boards as may be required, relative to legal matters affecting the City
  • Attends City Commission meetings and workshops, Planning and Zoning Board meetings and other Advisory Board meetings as needed
  • Conducts investigations and interviews of a routine nature based upon alleged or potential legal problems of a routine or complex nature, and prepares reports or opinions based upon findings made
  • Reviews contracts of a routine or complex nature
  • Prepares legal opinions, drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents
  • Represents various departments in legal matters which do not require the professional services of the City Attorney
  • Responds to and resolves sensitive and complex inquiries and complaints including: responding to requests of the City Attorney, City Manager,  and elected officials for information and interpretation
  • May present issues to the City Commission as needed or directed by the City Attorney
  • Assists City Attorney in the preparation of legal opinions regarding more complex legal questions
  • Assists in the preparation and defense of all civil cases involving the City including preparation of initial pleadings, discovery documents, motions and other litigation documents as needed; reviews claims and complaints by or against the City; works with other legal specialists hired by the City for special and/or complex cases
  • Assists the City Attorney in conducting legal research concerning complex problems or projects and prepares reports, memoranda and draft opinions containing proposed or recommended courses of action or solutions; handles appeals as needed
  • Assists the City Attorney in providing guidance to and reviewing the work of other attorneys retained by the City; enforces and makes recommendations regarding city policies and procedures
  • Meets with City officials, City employees, and the public as needed
  • May be designated as Acting City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney
  • Performs other related duties and functions as may be assigned by the City Attorney

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris doctor degree from an accredited school of law; supplemented by ten (10) or more years' experience practicing in the area of City, County, and Local Government law or related field.  Related field includes: land use/zoning, labor and employment, real estate, litigation/ trial experience, eminent domain, procurement/public finance, contract drafting and administration, public records/ Sunshine law, civil litigation relating to Section 1983 liability, workers' compensation, personal injury law, construction law, police, fire, or other local government related experience. Board certification in City, County, and Local Government law is preferred, but not required.  An equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience may be considered.
 
Must be an attorney at law in good standing in Florida and possess a license to practice law in the state of Florida.
 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research (Westlaw and Lexus/Nexus)
  • Knowledge of the laws of Florida or Considerable knowledge of local, state and Federal statutory law
  • Skill in conducting research on complex legal issues and preparing sound legal opinions – or Considerable knowledge of the sources and availability of current legal decisions, opinions, rulings and statutes
  • Considerable knowledge of legal instruments in applicable fields of law
  • Skill in Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel)
  • Skill in providing good customer service
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in resolving complex legal problems
  • Ability to multi-task while working with tight deadlines and shifting priorities
  • Ability to prepare cases for civil litigation
  • Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
  • Ability to organize work for timely completion
  • Ability to conduct thorough legal research and prepare various legal documents and summaries
  • Ability to achieve rapport with various government officials and members of the pubic requesting information
  • Ability to express ideas clearly and to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, representatives of private businesses, service and civic organizations, and the public
  • Ability to assign and supervise work of subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale
  • Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity.

Eligibility List Criteria: An eligibility list, which shall be valid for a maximum of six months, shall be formed based on applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Candidates on the eligibility list will be given consideration for each vacancy. Veterans Preference shall be awarded, pursuant to Florida Statutes.

APPLICANT SELECTED FOR HIRE MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS PHYSICAL  AND BACKGROUND CHECK

NOTE TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: Applicants with disabilities who will need special accommodations for testing must advise Human Resources not later than one (1) week prior to scheduled testing, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
 

APPLICATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED AND FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.coconutcreek.net
OR
4800 W. Copans Road,
Coconut Creek, FL 33063
EXAM #2019-00009
DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY
JW

Please apply here.


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