Deputy City Attorney

                                                                THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM VETERAN PREFERENCE 

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, performs complex professional legal work and assigned supervisory and managerial tasks as the principal assistant to the City Attorney.  Work involves professional responsibility in coordinating and administering all types of legal matters concerning the City of Melbourne.  Serves as advisor and consultant in the resolution of complex legal matters with other legal staff and administrators when necessary.  Responsible for representing the City before quasi-judicial bodies, administrative agencies of government, and in court proceedings. Also responsible for supervisory, managerial, and administrative tasks as the principal assistant to the City Attorney.   Work is characterized by its high complexity, frequency and heavy work volume.  Work is performed with professional independence, subject to minimal supervision of work product and general guidance as to questions of policy and priorities by the City Attorney.  Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City.

Assignments may include serving as counsel in one or more of the following areas of local government: constitutional, federal, and state law compliance; police affairs; labor & employment matters; pension matters; land use & zoning matters; real property transactions; public works & utilities matters; City procurement & contracting matters; bond & finance matters; legislative affairs; City election matters; code enforcement matters; parks & recreation matters; Community Redevelopment Agencies; information technology matters; human resources matters; risk management & litigation matters; and other areas of municipal law. Also, will be assigned additional duties and responsibilities with other departments at the sole discretion of the City Attorney or his designee.  This position reports to the City Attorney or his designee; however, must maintain a close and effective working relationship with Department Directors, as assigned.

The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

• Keeps the mission, vision and values of the City of Melbourne at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Has a sophisticated awareness of potential legal issues with federal, state, and local law that may arise in assigned matters, and is a recognized legal authority and subject matter expert with advanced expertise in principles, practices, and procedures related to City business.
• Represents the City, its departments, and its officials and employees in a general counsel capacity and provides legal advice arising in City operations.
• Attends public hearings, such as quasi-judicial bodies, meetings, administrative agencies of government, and court proceedings, as assigned.
• Conducts research and make recommendations on legal questions referred to by the City Manager and City department directors, as assigned.
• Researches and prepares written legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda, as assigned.
• Assists City programs and agencies generating a wide range of issues, such as those involving land use, planning and zoning, labor and employment, code enforcement, construction contracts, sunshine law, public records, ethics, finance, utilities, police matters, and general government law, policies and actions.
• Assists City personnel in responding to public records requests to ensure the assertion of any lawful exemptions and compliance with the law.
• Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
• Advises City officials and city staff on legal questions arising while carrying out their duties, including proper legal interpretation and application of statutes, case law, ordinances, and other regulations.
• Drafts and reviews complex legal documents including CCNA agreements, CIP and procurements bids, contracts, service agreements, Interlocal agreements, mutual aid agreement and other complex legal documents.
• Assists with outside counsel, as assigned, on litigation matters, including to coordinate responses to discovery and provide reports to the City Attorney regarding the progress of litigation.
• Provides legal advice and assistance to City municipal boards and advisory committees, as assigned. Represents the City in litigation and appeals in Federal and State courts, as assigned.
• Monitors Federal and State legislation and case law affecting local government issues, as assigned.
• Provides training to City staff on legal topics, as needed.
• Serves as Acting City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney.
• Manages and supervises the work of Assistant City Attorneys, paralegals, and other administrative staff as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Perform any additional duties and responsibilities with other departments as assigned by the City Attorney or his designee.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.  
• Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar.  
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience of progressive complexity and responsibility in local government law and administrative practice or equivalent experience including local government agency practice experience, applicable civil practice experience in local government law matters (including construction, contract, or land use, etc.), or legal advisor to a governmental agency. 
• Minimum of 5 (five) years’ experience supervising and managing other attorneys and/or paralegal staff.  

• Valid Florida Driver's License.  
  
• Must be admitted to practice law in Florida and be a member of the Florida Bar.  Must be admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, within six (6) months of hiring.

• Knowledge of constitutional and statutory law of the United States and the State of Florida as related to City government.
• Knowledge of City operations and administration. 
• Knowledge of Florida public records and ethics laws applicable to municipal governments and its officials and employees.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence, principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research. 
• Ability to analyze legal issues, facts, evidence, and precedents in complex cases to present such materials effectively in oral and written form,
• Knowledge and ability to review and/or prepare complex contracts and other legal instruments.
• Ability to conduct research on legal problems and to prepare legal opinions.
• Proficient in the use of computers for purposes of research and drafting of pleadings and correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the work.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.
• Ability to work independently, while taking direction and supervision from the City Attorney or his designee.
• Ability to supervise and manage other staff within the City Attorney’s Office as directed by the City Attorney. 

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, orally and in writing.
• Ability to hear and understand conversation in English in various tones of voice, as well as accents.
• Ability to see, read, and comprehend letters, numbers, characters, symbols, and words which are in English.
• Ability to work and solve problems under pressure and stress with extreme accuracy.
• Ability to walk, stand, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch and sit for periods longer than 30 minutes.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items which weigh up to 10 pounds.