Senior Assistant City Attorney I

This is highly responsible professional legal work.

This professional position assists the City Attorney in providing legal representation to the Mayor, the City Council, and all the several departments, officers, and boards of city government. This position primarily involves the civil and administrative practice of law, including land use, planning, zoning, as well as familiarity with Florida laws regarding public records and open meetings, code development or revision; 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.); handling of litigation from inception to conclusion. The work involves a high degree of complexity, requires the application of an advanced level of knowledge and skill, and is performed independently. Self-motivation, solution-oriented thinking, and independence are emphasized. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate clerical employees; supervision and/or mentoring of less experienced assistant city attorneys is expected with this position. Work is performed in accordance with general policies and the established standards and practices of the legal profession. Work is reviewed by a higher-level attorney or the City Attorney through examination of proposed plans and an evaluation of the results of completed assignments.

Duties will vary based on division assignment, but may include representing the City in quasi-judicial and legislative meetings, and a variety of issues of high complexity; negotiating, constructing and drafting agreements; drafting of and advocating for land development code regulations and comprehensive plan amendments, often involving legal research and research of present City codes and ordinances; issuing City code interpretations and researching and drafting legal opinions; presentation, discussion and advocacy of various matters before City Council; meeting with City staff, citizens and private attorneys to achieve conflict resolution; and other work as assigned.

Extensive knowledge of: legal principles and their application and administrative and constitutional law.

Considerable knowledge of: Florida and municipal law and its application to local government. Knowledge of research methods and techniques concerning legal case work, including Civil litigation rules and techniques; claims processing methods and procedures; land use, planning, zoning, and administrative law, real estate law and practices, as well as familiarity with Florida laws regarding public records and open meetings; principles, and techniques of modern supervision. Also proficient in Word/Excel.

Ability to: analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to local government problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, concisely and logically; prepare pleadings and try cases; establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the general public; manage or assist in management of the City’s real properties.

Skill in: providing clear direction to subordinate staff in meeting goals.

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, membership in good standing with The Florida Bar, and a minimum of twelve (12) years’ experience in land use, planning, zoning and administrative law, as well as familiarity with Florida laws regarding public records and open meetings and prior supervisory experience.

Admission to the Bar of the State of Florida; compliance with mandatory Bar CLE requirements.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.