Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The listed duties are essential job functions that the position has been created to perform.  The list of duties is not exhaustive.  The employee may be called upon to perform any task that is implied from the listed duties or is within the scope of the general summary.  

• Advises City staff and elected and appointed City Officials in all areas of municipal law.
• Assists Department Heads to see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully performed.
• Negotiates, drafts, and reviews contracts, real estate documents, agreements.
• Drafts legislation, code provisions, regulations, ordinance, amendments, resolutions, and guidelines or policies. 
• Researches and interprets relevant laws, rulings, and regulations for City Officials and staff.
• Drafts pleadings, motions and settlement agreements for matters in litigation.
• Represents the City before the Civil Service Commission and in arbitration. 
• Represents the City in employee suspension appeals. 
• Attends public meetings of City Council, boards and commissions and advises and addresses members in executive sessions or public forums.
• Prosecutes on behalf of and defends the City legal proceedings and advocates for the City in a wide variety of settings, including negotiations, dispute resolutions, mediations, trial, hearings, and administrative process. 
• Timely and appropriately responds to inquiries from the general public and media about public information and municipal regulations and procedures.
• Handles recoveries and collection of debts and fees owed the City.
• Follows matters threatening health, safety, and welfare of citizens and local neighborhoods, drafts ordinances to address such concerns, and prosecutes in municipal court for related violations.
• Represents the City in courts and administrative hearings if necessary, including preparation of legal briefs, development of strategy, arguments and testimony for pretrial, trial, and appellate matters and/or hearings (claims, lawsuits, mediations, arbitrations, settlements, expunctions, etc.) and legal counsel for proceedings before various other agencies or boards including TCEQ, EPA, FCC, Civil Service, Building and Standards, Planning and Human Resources (employee discipline & appeals, etc.).   
• Supports preparations of emergency disaster plans procedures and forms, attends planning meetings, and may be called to serve in the emergency operations center in a state of emergency.
• Communicates official plans, policies and procedures to City staff.
• Compiles data, statistics or other information related to legal work done.
• Obtains and maintains, without interruption, all necessary licenses, certifications, clearances, and/or job requirements.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain, without interruption, all necessary licenses, certifications, clearances, and/or job requirements.
• Works the assigned schedule and complies with City timekeeping and attendance policy.

OTHER REQUIRED DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Counsels City departments on the administration of federal and state regulated funds and grants, such as disaster recovery funds, FEMA, CDBG, HUD, TIRZ, etc. 
• Provides legal support in capital improvement projects, property management, real estate transactions and eminent domain proceedings.
• Assists in acquisitions of rights-of-way and easements required for various City projects.
• Enforces residential deed restrictions to preserve neighborhoods and provides assistance to Neighborhood Network and Code Enforcement Divisions.
• Maintains knowledge of Federal and State law, court decisions affecting cities, as well as the City Charter and City Code provisions; advises City Officials and Department Directors of such changes to laws affecting City operations.
• Other duties as assigned, the nature and volume of which vary and are generated to a large extent by activities of other departments.

Apply at: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/coptx/jobs/3897093-74906

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, and court decisions relating to municipal corporations, including the Public Information Act, Local Government Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Penal Code, procurement laws, etc.
• Knowledge of the City resolutions and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of the County departments.
• Knowledge of the judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of established precedents and source of legal reference applicable to City activities.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Knowledge of Police Officers’ Civil Service Laws of Texas.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. 
• Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents.
• Ability to conduct research on legal problems and to prepare legal opinions.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, City officials, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in English. 

 EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & LICENSES:

Experience relevant to the needs of the Office of the City Attorney preferred.

 REQUIRED: 

• J.D. Degree from an accredited school of law.
• Must have 5-8 years of experience. 
• Valid Class ‘C’ Texas Driver’s License.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

Apply at: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/coptx/jobs/3897093-74906