Deputy City Attorney-Real Estate

This requisition expires on October 12, 2025 but may close earlier if the position is filled prior to the expiration date.

Responsible for serving as a legal consultant, advisor, and representative for the City of Denton.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
 
DUTIES

• Provide quality legal services to assigned City of Denton department, boards, committees, and commissions. 
• Represent the City of Denton in negotiating legal issues; ensure legal issues are resolved within Citywide policy guidelines and applicable law, and effective communication of issues are conducted with the City Attorney and City stakeholders.
• Provide legal advice to City Council, City Boards, City Manager, key executives and staff.
• Review documents and provide legal opinions and advice.
• Conduct legal research on municipal issues, document results and findings, present legal advice, information, and present recommendations; provide final legal decision-making on matters impacting policy with possible significant cost impacts.
• Make professional presentations before boards, commissions, and the City Council.
• Prepare legal instruments and opinions for boards and commissions, City Manager and City Council.
• Prepare, review, track, and analyze contracts, agreements, policies, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
• Recommend changes in policies and procedures to meet legal requirements.
• Support and encourage a professional and positive relationship between the City of Denton and the general public when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City Staff.
• Act as City Attorney in the event of their absence, as directed.

• Conduct research on municipal-related issues including, but not limited to, real estate, condemnation, and contracts, document results and findings. 
• Provide legal advice to staff regarding real estate, condemnation, contracts, and engineering processes. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school; and,
• Licensed to practice law in Texas; and,
• Five (5) years’ experience in municipal law or related field.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local Government laws and regulations and application of legal issues in hearings and court proceedings.
• Knowledge of application of the law in a variety of municipality law practice areas.
• Knowledge of City of Denton policies, procedures, mission, and goals.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and coordination of people and resources.
• Skill at the intermediate level with Microsoft Office 365 and other software systems necessary to complete work.
• Skill in data analysis, development of strategic plans, problem solving and action plan execution.
• Skill in analyzing and researching, to interpret and understand policies, laws, and regulations, and to provide workable recommendations and solutions to problems that maintain compliance.
• Skill in judgment and creativity in decision-making; considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and select the most appropriate one.
• Ability to gather and analyze data, draw conclusions, and present data and other information in a clear and logical manner.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work, maintain attention to details and quality, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written forms, as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, train, and manage teams through direct and indirect influence.
• Ability to develop, understand, interpret, and apply rules, policies, and procedures operations.
• Ability to handle records and complex situations of a confidential nature.
• Ability to maneuver comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.
• Ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to support controversial positions, negotiation of sensitive issues and/or important presentations with customers, citizens and co-workers while maintaining poise.
• Ability to work independently to direct multiple work streams while balancing competing priorities with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communication effectively, both oral and written forms, in a variety of circumstances using appropriate tone and appearance for the situation, speak publicly, and to listen intently to other points of view.
• Ability to perform all job duties in a manner that is consistent with the City of Denton's mission and core values.

• Must have and maintain a valid Class “C” Driver’s License and valid state required minimum automobile liability insurance prior to employment (must obtain Texas Class “C” driver’s license and state required minimum automobile liability insurance within 90 days of hire per state law)
• Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification.
• Must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar. 
• Must possess and maintain State of Texas License to practice law. 

SAFETY

• Perform preventive maintenance on tools and equipment; ensure equipment is in safe operating condition.
• Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operate tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Promptly report unsafe conditions in the work area and/or any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor.

• Safety Sensitive (Subject to random drug testing): No.
• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Lifting and carrying no more than 10 pounds.
• Environment: Works in an office setting and in court of law; occasionally requires irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Travel: Travels to City of Denton buildings and professional meetings as required.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position. Must be able to work after normal business hours and weekends, as needed. Must attend regularly scheduled and special meetings.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions. Must be able to present before boards, commissions, City Council and in courts of law.

• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Service-Oriented
• Strategically Focused
• Fiscally Responsible

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage in addition to life and disability insurance plans
• Employee Health Clinic
• Paid Vacation Days and Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan

E-Verify: 
The City of Denton participates in the federal E-Verify program in order to verify a new employee's authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.