City Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

This Position is appointed by and r eports to City Council

Pay will be commensurate with experience

Summary : Under administrative direction, acts as chief legal advisor to the Mayor and Council, City Manager, and department directors; provides legal opinions and strategy, minimizes risk and liability, manages legal issues, and represents the City in administrative proceedings and legal actions.

• Plans, directs, reviews, and evaluates the staff and functions of the City Attorney's Office / Legal Department (CAO), including professional civil and criminal legal work, legal counsel and education, technical and legal documents, legislative assistance, and representation before courts, boards, and administrative hearings; assures the legality of City operations, protects the legal rights of the City, and reduces liability risk.
• Serves as chief legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council and City Manager; attends public meetings to provide legal advice and information, and presents findings, recommendations, and effective solutions.
• Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates complex legal issues, and recommends and implements solutions to minimize risk and safeguard the City's operations.
• Reviews, approves, and negotiates legal issues; assures that legal issues are resolved within City policy; reviews and evaluates City decisions, policies, regulations, claims, civil actions, and other legal matters; assures effective communication of legal issues and strategies with the City's core management team.
• Manages the case preparation and resolution of litigation, negotiations, settlements, prosecutions, and other municipal legal proceedings; develops legal assessments and strategies; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine whether legal issues should be prosecuted or defended, based on the facts of law and evidence; conducts conferences with opposing parties concerning settlement of cases.
• Manages civil and criminal proceedings and work products from CAO and contracted legal professionals.
• Develops, renders, and reviews verbal and written opinions, legal positions, and ordinances for the City.
• Monitors changes in state and federal regulations, standards, and legislation governing municipalities.
• Directs, coaches, and trains staff, and evaluates performance; conducts and encourages interactive dialogue throughout the organization, and effectively addresses personnel issues in order to promote a productive and healthy work environment.
• Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve assignments, priorities, workload, technical issues, and quality standards; provides leadership, direction, and guidance in legal strategies and priorities; assures that quality standards are met, and appropriate services are provided.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the City management team, by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Must have and maintain a cell phone for City use to hold this position.
• Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines : Juris Doctorate Degree is required; AND five years' experience of legal practice (municipal sector highly desirable), including experience with criminal and civil law, preferably in the state of Texas.

Knowledge of :

Skill in :

License and certification requirements : A valid Texas State Driver's License is required. Must be a member of the State Bar of Texas, licensed to practice law in the state of Texas.

Scope of Work

Provides professional direction relating to all legal matters of the City. Oversees and provides direction to staff and assistant city attorneys.

Budgetary Responsibilities

Prepares and administers the annual department budget.

Essential Job Duties

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Ability to transport self from building to building, sedentary office work.

Required Contacts

Ability to effectively communicate with the City Council, boards and commissions, the City Manager, employees, the citizens of the City of Odessa, and special groups requiring information as needed.

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