DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK
The purpose of this position is to assist the City Attorney in supervising and administering the activities of the office of City Attorney, and in the performance of a wide variety of difficult professional legal duties which include providing services for all municipal departments, the City Council, advisory boards, and Mayor; accomplish difficult legal activities primarily involving major litigation and appeals; and supervise City Attorney functions during the absence of the City Attorney.
Essential Examples Of Duties
The following illustrates examples of some of the essential duties and responsibilities of the Assistant City Attorney. There may be other essential functions, not listed below, in order to accomplish the tasks as presented by the Supervisor.
- Prepares, examines, and approves contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents and instruments for City departments.
- Prepares and reviews proposed ordinances, resolutions, and other legislation.
- Reviews such documents and offers opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the municipality for consideration by an outside agent or agency; confers with the City Attorney to determine legal policy.
- Studies and interprets the constitution, laws, court decisions, City Charter, ordinances, and other legal authorities to give legal advice or prepare opinions, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents relating to court proceedings.
- Prepares and passes upon the legality or sufficiency of contracts and other legal documents.
- Represents the City and City officials in litigation in which the City or City official is either plaintiff or defendant to include the preparation of summonses, petitions, complaints, answers, interviewing witnesses, research, preparing briefs, negotiating settlements, appearing in court and before State Boards or Commissions, and processing appeals when necessary.
- Prepares cases for condemnation.
- Passes on the validity of claims against the City and recommends allowances or disallowances thereof.
- Assists in or prepares cases for hearings.
- Represents the municipality in such hearings as required.
- Prepares cases for trial on matters involving major litigation and appeals.
- Tries cases in court.
- Assists in the preparation of and tries action by the City in eminent domain and other actions filed by the City.
- Prepares petitions for sewer and street improvements and forms for easements, bonds, complaint notices and assessment proceedings.
- Attends meetings of advisory boards and serves as legal counsel at such meetings.
- Represents the City Attorney at various board and commission meetings and in court as required.
- Accomplishes legal research and prepares opinion on various legal problems for municipal departments, the City Council, advisory boards, and City officials.
- Codifies and indexes general ordinances adopted by the City and places them in the City of Hialeah City Code.
- Assists in the land acquisition program of the City by drafting and reviewing documents relating thereto, negotiating settlements for the purchase of land as directed and particularly after eminent domain proceedings have been filed, and processing the legal documents for the property acquired after settlement has been reached.
- Maintains liaison with County and other cities concerning joint powers agreements and mutual litigation.
- Receives visitors and telephone calls from persons wishing to discuss possible complaints, litigation, or other legal problems, and processes as many such cases for the City Attorney as possible.
- Assumes the duties and responsibilities of the City Attorney in his/her absence.
- Responsible for negotiating, preparing, reviewing, and opining on the legality or sufficiency of contracts and other legal documents based on the nature of the transaction the City is engaged in in its corporate, proprietary or regulatory capacity.
- Research, draft or provide advice on proposed ordinances, resolutions, and other legislation; and research and provide advice on the constitution, laws, court decisions, City Charter, ordinances, and other legal authorities to City department heads and employees in the conduct of their duties.
- Assignments will include without limitation the areas of: code enforcement, building and permitting, licensing, labor, occasional litigation, and such other areas as assigned by the City Attorney and/or Deputy City Attorney.
- Performs other related work as required.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of Federal, State, and municipal civil laws and of constitutional law affecting municipal government.
- Court procedures and rules of evidence, legal research procedures and forms.
- Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of the City Charter and ordinances and to apply legal knowledge to varied problems.
- Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
- Analyze and brief court decisions, provisions of City ordinances, Federal and State statutes.
- Draft legal memorandums, ordinances, and resolutions.
- Reconcile conflicting provisions of laws and court decisions.
- Express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; use excellent English.
- Follow oral and written instructions; work effectively with other employees.
- Meet the general public with courtesy and tact.
- Skill in conducting research on complex legal problems, preparing sound legal opinions, preparing and presenting cases in court.
- Knowledge of the principles and concepts related to local government law is preferred.
- High degree of independence, initiative, communicate effectively, handle several assignments concurrently and develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships.
Physical Requirements
The following are some of the physical requirements associated with this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made by the City to enable an individual to perform the essential duties/functions of the position.
- Must have ability to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, stand, hear, hands to finger dexterity, handle, feel or operate objects, read and write English.
- Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office equipment; such as but not limited to a personal computer, calculator, copier and fax machines.
- Work is performed indoors within a quiet to moderately noisy environment.
- Must be able to lift, carry and or push articles weighing up to 20 lbs.
Minimum Training And Experience
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
- 5 years of experience practicing law.
- Must be an active member in good standing of the Florida Bar.
- A combination of education and experience may be considered.
When claiming veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation.
IF YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE FILL OUT AN EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION FORM WITH RESUME ATTACHED AND SEND VIA EMAIL TO
HRRESUMES@HIALEAHFL.GOV
OR SUBMIT IT IN PERSON TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 501 PALM AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR, HIALEAH, FL 33010. MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M
For any additional questions, please contact the City of Hialeah Human Resources Department at (305) 883-8050.
