City Attorney
City of Charlottesville Charlottesville, VA (Onsite) Full-Time
Apply on company site
Job Details
favorite_border
General Summary
The City of Charlottesville, Virginia is seeking a well-rounded, innovative, strategic, and responsive professional to provide general legal counsel to a full service municipality.
As City Attorney, major areas of responsibilities include litigation, contracts, real estate, land use, Environmental, tort, taxation, collections, employment, civil rights, and administrative law. The position provides functional supervision for legal action involving the City, the interpretation and application of laws and ordinances affecting the City, and the preparation of legal documents and legal opinions for the City of Charlottesville. The City Attorney is the legal counsel to the City Council, the City Manager, and other city officials. The City Attorney receives general supervision and direction from the City Manager and serves at the pleasure of the City Manager. Performs complex professional and responsible administrative work in overseeing the civil and legal affairs of the City; performs related work as required.
The hiring salary will be between $150,000 and $196,849.35 annually, dependent on education and experience.The City offers an excellent benefits program, including the option for participation in a Defined Benefits or Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Reasonable relocation assistance will be available.Please include with your online application a cover letter, resume, and at least 5 professional references.
* For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please visit [ Link removed ] - Click here to apply to City Attorney />
To viewa downloadable brochureabout our Community, City Government, and the position,please go to:
[ Link removed ] - Click here to apply to City Attorney />
Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. Essential Responsibilities and Duties
These duties include but are not limited to the following:
* Serves as legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, City boards and commissions and other officials of the City; provides legal advice to department heads regarding the City's application of federal and state and local employment laws; provides legal review and approval of City personnel policies and practices.
* Supervises the legal affairs of the City, including planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating an effective legal services program for the City. Prepares and/or reviews all City ordinances and is responsible for ensuring that the City Code is current. Prepares and/or reviews all city Standard Operating Procedures.
* Attends meetings of Council and commissions and provides/renders legal advice and appropriate information when necessary; serves as staff on a variety of board, commission, and other professional meetings.
* Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
* Drafts and/or supervises drafting of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases, franchises, and other complicated legal documents on behalf of the City
* Serves as a legislative liaison for the City with state and federal governments; prepares drafts of bills for introduction in the Virginia General Assembly. Analyzes legislation including proposed state and federal legislation affecting the City.
* Drafts and/or supervises the drafting of all contracts, deeds leases, releases, franchises, and other legal documents on behalf of the City; negotiates contracts and supervises and administers land transactions.
* Prosecutes suits, actions, and proceedings for and on behalf of the City.Processes and litigates claims against the City.
* Prepares cases for trial, interviewing witnesses, examining law and evidence.
* Represents the City in complex trial and appellate litigation.
* Researches, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs. Reviews the legality and/or sufficiency of contracts, bonds, bids, leases, insurance, and claims. Serves the City's interests in various contract negotiations. Conducts title searches, certifies titles and handles closings. Decides major legal questions in litigation, claims, leases and contracts, land titles and related legal matters;
* Oversees and coordinates appropriate various investigations and audits related to City legal programs and matters.
* Renders legal advice on complex matters on a daily basis to officers, departments, and agencies of the City.
* Defends City employees in actions brought again them for conduct while in the line of duty.
* Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public law; maintains proficiency in municipal law through training, professional journals, and technology-based resources.
* Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
* May perform other work duties that may be required by ordinance, resolution, or City Council.
Managerial and Supervisory Responsibilities:
* Assumes management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the City Attorney's Office. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for direct reports; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
* Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
* Hires, supervises, coaches, mentors and trains assigned City staff, including providing career development and appropriate performance management and corrective action as necessary.
* Prepares and monitors and the departmental budget and oversees and authorizes expenditures.
Education, Experience and Skills
Minimum Requirements:
* Graduation from an accredited law school of recognized standing with a juris doctorate.
* Requires a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law.
* Must have a minimum of four (4) years of management and supervisory experience.
* Must be licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and must have the ability to maintain membership as a condition of continued employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Five (5) or more years of active legal experience in the practice of municipal law preferred.
* Legal experience and expertise in the practice of real estate and/or land use law preferred.
Special Requirements:
* Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia State Driver License and a driving record acceptable to the City and the City's insurance carrier OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.
* Must pass a thorough background investigation, credit and reference checks. The City reserves the right to further require a Social Media background check.
* Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
* Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Knowledge of:
* Complex legal principles and practices; statutory, civil, contract, and administrative laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to local government;
* Municipal government functions and the legal issues affecting municipalities;
* City ordinances, City Charter and City Code;
* Virginia land use law and administrative procedures;
* Virginia and federal labor laws affecting municipalities;
* Municipal court functions;
* Legal research methods;
* Preparation of legal documents associated with administrative and judicial proceedings;
* Legal aspects of financing land acquisitions, trades, public-private partnerships;
* Use of computer technology for legal research; and
* The principles and practices of public administration.
* Research methods, data collection, report presentation and statistical analysis.
* Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
* Investigative methods and techniques and investigatory report writing.
* Mathematic computations adequate to correctly perform work.
* Effective oral and written communication principles and practices (e.g., English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation) to include principles public relations and customer service.
* Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
* Knowledge of public budget administration, budget process, statistics, program planning, and financial management principles and practices.
* Proper documentation, reporting, record keeping and compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Skill in:
* Advising elected officials and management;
* Analyzing and applying legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems affecting local government;
* Communicating statements of law, fact, and argument in written and oral form;
* Managing legal projects to meet the needs of the City;
* Negotiating solutions to complex legal problems;
* Providing legal counsel on land use matters;
* Administering contracts for outside legal services;
* Managing programs and operations;
* Conflict management and mediation;
* Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, managers, employees, members of the public, and other government agencies;
* Promoting integrity, trust, and professionalism; and
* Leading and managing/supervising for results.
Ability to:
* Work independently and prioritize work to meet the needs of the City and meet deadlines; and
* Communicate effectively with the public, members of outside agencies, and employees.
* Be responsive; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, and general public, and to form team environments, build morale, increase productivity, improve relationships, and meet goals and objectives.
* Use sound, skillful, and strategic negotiation techniques.
* Defuse difficult situations with tact and courtesy, use appropriate mediation and conflict management techniques.
* Keep updated on legislation changes and state and federal laws related to and affecting areas of work, including best practices.
* Interpret and apply Federal, State and local codes, policies, laws, and regulations related to area of responsibility.
* Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records and generate reports.
* Anticipate and respond to administrative and operational problems. Communicate effectively, efficiently and in a confidential and diplomatic manner that is sensitive to both the needs of the City employees and supervisors.
* Exercise the highest degree of confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
* Portray an image of knowledge, confidence, professionalism, fairness, and caring.
* Provide oral and written presentations in public.
* Coordinate, prioritize and work on multiple activities on a daily basis under often stressful and busy conditions.
* Analyze, interpret, develop, and implement City regulations, policies, and procedures.
* Demonstrate regular, reliable attendance.
Physical Conditions & Additional Information
Work Environment:
* Requires working some evenings and outside of regular working hours as needed for meetings.
* Work is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
* Incumbent must be comfortable with a work environment that has constant interruptions and requests for service, that requires visits to other City offices and facilities, and occasional trips to client offices for a variety of purposes.
* Requires ability to deal with stressful situations, and angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
* Must be able to manage and prioritize multiple projects and customer service requests/problems at any given time.
* Exposure to computer monitor glare and dust.
* May be required to work extended hours, and/or travel overnight for business needs.
Physical Abilities:
* Hearing, speaking or otherwise communicating to exchange information in person or on the phone.
* Operating a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
* Reading and understanding a variety of materials.
* Sitting or otherwise remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
* Bending at the waist, reaching above shoulder, or horizontally or otherwise positioning oneself to accomplish tasks.
* Lifting and/or carrying or otherwise moving or transporting up to 30 lbs. (occasionally).
Recommended Skills
• Administration
• Auditing
• Business Requirements
• Claim Processing
• Communication
• Computer Keyboards
Apply to this job.
Think you're the perfect candidate?
Apply on company site
Help us improve CareerBuilder by providing feedback about this job: Report this job
Job ID: 2407084032
CareerBuilder TIP
For your privacy and protection , when applying to a job online, never give your social security number to a prospective employer, provide credit card or bank account information, or perform any sort of monetary transaction. Learn more.
By applying to a job using CareerBuilder you are agreeing to comply with and be subject to the CareerBuilder Terms and Conditions for use of our website. To use our website, you must agree with the Terms and Conditions and both meet and comply with their provisions.