Assistant Attorney

Overview

Salary $40.66 - $60.98/hour; $7,047.73 - $10,569.87/month; $84,572.80 - $/year

This professional position assists the City Attorney in providing legal representation to the Mayor, the City Council, and all the departments, officers and boards of city government and primarily involves the civil and administrative practice of law, including transactional and administrative law.

This professional position assists the City Attorney in providing legal representation to the Mayor, the City Council, and all of the several departments, officers and boards of city government. This position primarily involves the procurement and administrative practice of law. Responsibilities will vary depending on the assigned Practice Group within the Legal Department and may include: code development or revision; researching and drafting legal opinions;

preparation and analysis of various legal documents (contracts, grants, leases, policies, forms, agenda items, resolutions and ordinances) as well as other legal instruments; consultation with departments on legal issues and problems; enforcement of violations of municipal ordinances before special magistrates and/or in Municipal Court; attending quasi-judicial meetings of the City Council and other administrative boards (e.g., code enforcement, historic preservation boards, variance review board, etc.).

The work is of an entry level to moderate degree of complexity, requires the application of an entry level of knowledge and skill, and is performed under the supervision of a higher level attorney; however, self-motivation, solution-oriented thinking and independence are emphasized. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate clerical employees. Work is performed in accordance with general policies and the established standards and practices of the legal profession and is reviewed by a higher level attorney or the City Attorney through examination of plans proposed and an evaluation of the results of completed assignments.

• Researching and drafting legal opinions.
• Preparation and analysis of various legal documents, including contracts, grants, leases, policies, forms, agenda items, resolutions and ordinances as well as other legal instruments.
• Consultation with departments on legal issues and problems.
• Enforcement of violations of municipal ordinances before special magistrates and/or in Municipal Court.
• Attending quasi-judicial meetings of the City Council and other administrative boards (e.g., code enforcement, historic preservation boards, variance review board, etc.).
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Considerable knowledge of:
City of Tampa's ordinances, and of State, Federal and Constitutional Law; judicial procedures, rules of evidence and methods of legal research; established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities; administrative and personnel law as they relate to the City of Tampa;
City, State, Federal, and common law and constitutional law affecting City government to include law issues pertaining to public employment, expressive conduct, police misconduct, and other issues affecting municipal functions; laws of Florida, federal laws relating to employment and discrimination, common law, administrative law and regulations, and local legislation pertaining to the city; municipal administration and organization. Ability to: communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;

work independently; prepare civil law cases; effectively manage and resolve conflict while mitigating liability and risk to the City; interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in resolving complex legal problems; multi-task while working with tight deadlines and shifting priorities; analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; organize work for timely completion;

write and speak clearly and sufficiently in a variety of communication settings to address public relations problems effectively, courteously and tactfully; establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, directors, managers and other employees, court officials and representatives of the court, and the general public. Skills in: using online legal research services; use and interpretation of computer programs, spreadsheets, electronic databases, and electronic document management systems;
Microsoft Word/Excel and online meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Web Ex); basic skills in Outlook and PowerPoint; experience using video or audio editing software is a plus.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctor degree; successfully pass The Florida Bar exam and one (1) year of legal experience with an emphasis on…