Assistant City Attorney I - Land Use

This position provides legal advice and support for City operations.

• Conducts legal research and analysis and drafts memoranda of law on a range of issues relating to land use and local government law, including legislation, comprehensive planning, zoning, historic preservation, environmental issues, impact fees, special assessment districts, Sunshine Law, public records, codes of ethics and conflicts of interest, parliamentary procedure, and other related matters
• Represents the City in land-use litigation, including appeals from decisions of the City’s land-use boards and challenges to land-use legislation or project approvals
• Reviews draft agendas, ordinances, resolutions, staff reports, and draft orders
• Attends and participates in City Commission meetings, as well as other City board and committee meetings
• Serves as counsel to City committees, boards, and agencies as assigned; and provides legal advice with respect to quasi-judicial proceedings
• Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, restrictive covenants, contracts, and other legal instruments
• Advises City personnel in regard to the Sunshine Law and Public Records Act
• Drafts, reviews, and edits correspondence, public notices, and other documents
• Performs other duties as assigned

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, municipal codes and charters, state and federal laws and regulations, court decisions, and other legal requirements applicable to municipal government functions, operations, and personnel
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil and administrative law, especially as related to municipal governments and land use
• Knowledge of state and federal court procedures and rules of evidence
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of legal research and investigation
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal communication
• Knowledge of the responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies in the State of Florida
• Knowledge of state law governing public records and the meeting of public government bodies
• Ability to define and analyze complex legal issues and problems, research and organize facts, perform legal risk-benefit analysis, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations
• Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly, logically, and persuasively
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters
• Ability to interpret and explain state and federal law, regulations, legislation, and constitutional provisions affecting City operations
• Ability to develop sound strategy to represent the City effectively in hearings, courts of law, quasi-judicial proceedings, and meetings
• Ability to draft clear, concise, and competent legal briefs, resolutions, ordinances, agreements, contracts, reports, correspondence, and other written materials
• Ability to use effective written and oral communication skills, including explaining complex and unfamiliar principles to non-technical audiences
• Ability to remain neutral on issues where there are competing political agendas
• Ability to use a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals
• Ability to analyze questions under applicable codes of ethics, including questions relating to conflicts of interest, and to draft requests for advisory opinions from appropriate ethics boards

• Graduation from an accredited school of law
• Demonstrated interest and/or 0-4 years of experience relevant to the major duties/essential function of the position
• Current membership in the State Bar of Florida
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted

• The work is typically performed in an office and in court rooms and meeting rooms while sitting at a desk or table while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects
• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine

For all positions:

For all technical, professional, supervisory and managerial positions:

Applicants must detail any related work experience on the application or risk disqualification.  It is the applicant's responsibility to update their NEOGOV profile with work experience, education, certifications and personal contact information when submitting each application, failure to do so will result in ineligibility.  City of Miami Beach employees must reflect their current position and detail their work experience on the application to avoid being disqualified.
 
 Veterans Preference: Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (either Member 2 or Member 4), as well as the final Department of Defense Disability Letter (dated within one year) must be submitted with the application.