Assistant City Attorney / City Attorney's Office #8260

Salary : $87,838.40 - $193,648.00 Annually

Location : CITY OF CAPE CORAL, FL

Job Type : Full-Time Regular

Job Number : 08260

Department : City Attorney's Office

Opening Date : 07 / 12 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

FLSA : Exempt

Bargaining Unit : SA

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

SAFETY SENSITIVE : No FINGERPRINTING REQUIRED : Yes

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CURRENT CITY OF CAPE CORAL EMPLOYEES

AND THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO APPLY.

For the current vacancy, an attorney with specialized experience in employment / labor law, contracts, procurement, and government financing is preferred.

Knowledge of issues unique to Florida local government law such as public records and government in the sunshine is essential.

Under general direction of the City Attorney, provides a wide range of professional legal services to City Council, all City departments and various boards and committees.

Researches and analyzes federal, state and local law and judicial decisions. Performs related administrative and professional work as required.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation : If assigned, employees in this classification will be required to report and carry out duties as directed for the duration of an emergency.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.

Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

The duties of an Assistant City Attorney may include any or all of the duties listed below depending upon the area of law assigned to the incumbent.

• Assists the City Attorney as legal counsel for the City in all municipal areas.
• Represents the City and its officers and employees in litigation matters, including preparation of pleadings, briefs, motions and other documents in preparation for trial of cases and handling of appeals.

Appears before all federal and state courts and administrative agencies on behalf of the City.

• Reviews, drafts and approves ordinances, charter amendments, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, permits, licenses and other legal documents.
• Prepares written legal opinions and renders legal advice to City Council, boards, committees and City departments. Interprets federal, state, county and City statutes, ordinances, charters, rules, regulations, court decisions, etc.
• Confers with and renders assistance to City departments in establishing departmental policies by developing and applying legal points and procedures;

recommends changes in policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.

• Attends meetings of the City Council, boards and committees to advise on legal matters.
• Conducts legal research as needed.
• Analyzes and reports proposed and enacted legislation.
• Maintains professional contact with other agencies as applicable.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Progression through levels based on City government expertise, institutional knowledge, ability to work independently, market / legal niche value, and depth / breadth of knowledge in legal areas.

Assistant City Attorney I - $75,524.80 Min - $125,382.40 Max)

0 years of experience in municipal government law.

Assistant City Attorney II - $82,243.20 Min - $136,531.20 Max)

6 years of experience in municipal government law.

Assistant City Attorney III - $104,998.40 Min - $174,824.00 Max)

Over 10 years of experience in municipal government law.

Licenses or Certifications

• Requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Must have a membership in the Florida Bar.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

None.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

None.

ADDITIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED : KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of :

• Legal principles and procedures, including civil, appellate and administrative law and procedures.
• General laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Court rules and rules of evidence.
• Methods of legal research, including computer research.
• Standard human resources practices and procedures.
• Proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar, and the application of such to a variety of formats and styles;

editing principles and techniques.

Skill in :

• Critical thinking.
• Written, verbal, electronic, and visual communications for effective expression and clarity.
• The operation of various computer or other electronic devices and applications, to include Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Organization, attention to detail, prioritization, and time management.

Ability to :

• Learn and follow Federal, State, and City laws, regulations, methods, procedures, policies and practices and terminology as they pertain to the performance of duties of the position.
• Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.
• Prepare and effectively present cases in court.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, support staff, other departments, professionals, and members of the public.
• Learn the organization, practices, procedures and resources of City departments, boards and committees.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions, to include applying consistent courtesy and tact in considerable public contact and / or confrontational situations.
• Adapt to performing under frequent deadlines and / or in response to emergencies.
• Apply sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.
• Utilize various modern computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information received and processed.
• Utilize a variety of modern office equipment, i.e., computers, facsimile machines, copiers and scanners.
• Organize and review work for efficient results and accuracy.

MINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED :

WORK ENVIRONMENT / CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tasks are performed in a common office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time, but may walk or stand for brief periods. Tasks may require some unassisted lifting, carrying, pushing and / or pulling of lightweight objects up to 20 pounds.

Tasks may require prolonged periods of visual concentration or keyboard / mouse use.

• Requires the ability to speak, hear (perceive sound) and / or signal people to convey and exchange information; differentiate between colors or shades of color;
• read a variety of materials, at times complex; apply principles of rational problem-solving; record and deliver information, explain procedures, issue and follow oral and written instructions;

and communicate effectively and efficiently in Standard English.

Full-time regular City employee benefits :

• Health Insurance ()
• City paid employee coverage. Optional HMO or PPO plans are available. Dependents can be added at group rates. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Employee Health & Wellness Center for healthcare services
• Basic Life Insurance ()
• City paid. The benefit is equal to twice the annual base pay. Double benefit for accidental death.
• Optional Vision Insurance ()
• Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Optional Dental Insurance ()
• Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Supplemental Insurance
• Employees may purchase various types of supplemental insurance (life, AFLAC) at group rates through payroll deduction.
• Pension Plan (General and Fire) administered by
• General Plan - Normal Retirement Eligibility : Hired before 10 / 1 / 2013, age 60 or 25 years of service; Hired on / after 10 / 1 / 2013, age 62 with 10 years of service or just 27 years of service.
• Fire Plan - Normal Retirement Eligibility : Hired before 6 / 16 / 2014, age 50 or 25 years of service; Hired on / after 6 / 16 / 2014, age 52 with 10 years of service or just 25 years of service.
• Benefit Rate Multiplier :
• General Plan - Less than 20 years of credited service 2.5%; 20 or more years of credited service 2.6% for 1st 20 years and 2.75% each year over 20
• Fire Plan - 3.25%
• Police Pension Plan administered by The Resource Centers
• Benefits available at retirement are determined by a formula that considers your salary and years of service. Normal retirement eligibility for Police Employees at age 52 or 27 years of service.

Benefit rate multiplier for Police : 3.25%

• 401(a) ( )
• Certain management positions can opt out of the General Pension into a 401(a).
• Roth IRA ()
• Offered through payroll deduction.
• Long Term Disability ()
• City paid long-term disability insurance.
• Leave Time (Sick, Vacation)
• Block of hours which incorporates sick and vacation. Accrues at 16.67 hours per month for an annual total of 5 weeks (200 hours).

Accrual increases to 20.00 hours per month after 6 years of service and continues at a yearly increase after 10 years of service.

• Paid Holidays
• City recognizes 11 holidays which include : New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• Leave Sharing
• May elect to donate or request leave time. Used for emergency circumstances when all leave has been exhausted.
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Tax-deferred savings plan available for retirement purposes. Employee-only contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employees can elect to use pre-tax dollars to cover un-reimbursed medical or dependent daycare expenses.
• Payroll Direct Deposit
• Available to any banking institution or credit union. Suncoast Federal Schools Credit Union membership is available to City employees.
• Leave Buy Back
• Option to receive cash for excess accrued leave beyond use or lose amount.
• Employee Assistance Program ()
• City-paid availability to licensed professional counselors for non-work related personal issues with 100% confidentiality.
• Pre-Paid College
• Post tax deduction forwarded to the State of Florida on the employees behalf.

Are you a member of The Florida Bar?

Required Question