Salary
$65,592.05 - $132,648.88 Annually
Location
Virginia 24012, VA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
02410
Department
City Attorney
Division
City Attorney
Opening Date
08/31/2023
Closing Date
9/18/2023 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Description Provides legal services to Department of Human and Social Services (hereinafter “DSS”) focusing in the areas of Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services. Attends court on behalf of DSS with the majority of such representation in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.  Also, should be prepared to represent DSS on appeals to the Circuit Court, the Virginia Court of Appeals, and the Virginia Supreme Court.  Prepares cases for trial, interviews witnesses, examines law and evidence. Drafts motions, pleadings, and briefs in support of the department’s legal position.   Applicants should possess excellent communication skills and be able to deal effectively with public officials and the general public. One to five years experience in working on Social Service issues or family law preferred. Complete an online city application on our website and attach your law school transcript.
Virginia State Bar membership is required.  Law degree from an accredited law school is required.  The ideal candidate would have one to five years related experience and/or training in the practice of law with litigation, social services and/or family law experience.
Please attach your resume, law school transcript and a writing sample to your application.
The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.
To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.
This is an exempt position.
Examples of Duties SUMMARY
Provides legal services exclusively to the City’s Department of Human and Social Services, personally advising the Director of DSS and such other groups within the department on legal matters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be
assigned.
Attends meetings of boards and commissions of the City and renders on-the-spot legal advice to these groups
Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases and other difficult legal documents on behalf of the City
Investigates, processes, and litigates claims against the City
Prepares cases for trial, interviews witnesses, examines law and evidence
Represents the City in trial and appellate litigation
Prepares formal legal opinions for the signature of the City Attorney
Conducts title searches, certifies titles and handles closings
Renders legal advice on a daily basis to officers, departments and agencies of the City designated by the City Attorney
Studies City, State and Federal and general municipal law for information and precedents bearing on City legal problems
Collects delinquent tax and non-tax debt owed the City using statutory legal remedies available at law, which include, but are not limited to, obtaining judgments and filing tax sale lawsuits to sell property in satisfaction of delinquent taxes, and serving as Special Commissioner if appointed by the Court in tax sale cases.  As Special Commissioner, additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, arranging a public auction to sell such properties if the auction is approved by the court, accepting monies from the purchasers of such property at auction, deeding the property to the successful bidder if such sale is approved by the Court, and disbursing the proceeds of the sale to the proper parties in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Providing legal support for the Department of Human and Social Services –
• Foster care placement;
• Termination of parental rights;
• Adult guardianship appointments;
• Inter-jurisdictional disputes;
• Child Protective Orders;
• Emergency removal order for children;
• Responding to subpoenas for records; and
• Similar proceedings in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Circuit Court.
Provide legal representation to the Roanoke Interagency Council. This Council was formed by the city of Roanoke as required by the comprehensive Services Act provision of the state code to provide an interagency approach to dealing with you at risk.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervision of clerical assistants. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Typical Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Law degree from an accredited law school; one to five years related experience and/or training in the practice of law; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in Windows, Word and Excel.
Supplemental Information LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints orally or in writing. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of  instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Eligibility to practice law in the state of Virginia.
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
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.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.