CITY OF STUART JOB DESCRIPTION Title: CITY ATTORNEY Department: City Attorney Job Code: 2010 FLSA Status: Exempt CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS Under the general direction of the City Commission, incumbent serves as legal advisor and counsel for the City of Stuart, working with the City Commission, City Manager, department directors and employees in their official capacity. Directs and provides legal counsel and advice to the various Boards and Committees established by the City and attendance at their meetings when requested. Performs duties with broad latitude in decision-making and is self-directed. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, observations and with periodic evaluations based upon achievement of specific goals and an executive and professional level of performance.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTION
1. Provides legal counsel for prosecution of proceedings and other civil suits, administrative actions, and proceedings authorized by the City Commission; attends meetings of City Commission.
2. Provides legal defense counsel in suits and actions brought against the City, except in cases where special legal counsel is engaged.
3. Renders written legal opinions on matters relating to municipal government.
4. Reviews various matters for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.
5. Prepares, reviews, and approves as to form and sufficiency, City ordinances, resolutions, deeds, and contracts.
6. Drafts, and reviews or supervises the preparation and passage through the State Legislature of legislative bills affecting the City. City Attorney June 2005 May 2013 Page 2 City Attorney – continued
7. Provides legal assistance and participates in employee relations matters and union negotiations.
8. Directs the preparation of department budget; assigns and supervises support staff. 9. Performs such other related duties and functions as may be assigned by the City Commission or to assist the City Manager. NOTE: The examples of essential functions as listed in this classification specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
REQUIREMENTS A. Training and Experience: A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college of law, membership in “good standing” with The Florida Bar, and a minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in municipal law are required. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in City, County, and Local Government Law, or become certified within 2 years of appointment, unless excused by the City Commission. Experience in one or more of the following is important to the proper functioning of the Office: civil or criminal trials or administrative hearings, code enforcement, environmental and land use, public contracts, public purchasing, public finance, real estate, and employment law. Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License as required for the position. Within two years of appointment, must reside within 25 miles of Stuart City Hall, unless otherwise excused by the City Commission. B. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Knowledge and understanding of judicial procedures at all judicial levels.
Page 3 City Attorney – continued Knowledge and understanding of City ordinances, codes, r e g u l a t i o n s , p o l i c i e s , p r a c t i c e s a n d a c c e p t e d interpretation of same. Knowledge of state and federal statutory and Constitutional law. Knowledge and understanding of modern office practices and procedures and standard office legal equipment. Knowledge and understanding of the organization, functions and legal challenges of City government. Ability to research and to compile information of a technical and complex manner. Ability to analyze, appraise and organize the facts, evidence and precedents concerned in cases. Ability to present complex findings effectively in oral or written reports. Ability to represent the interest of City departments in drafting legislation or contracts. Ability to present and argue cases in court. Ability to analyze cases for their value as legal precedents and to determine which cases the City should appeal. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees, City officials, contractors, professionals, and the general public. Skill in the use of computers and various software programs. Skill in supervision of staff and public and employee relations. Skill in effectively dealing with court officials and attorneys. Page 4 City Attorney – continued C. Physical Requirements: Task involves regular physical effort in standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, pulling, pushing, stretching, and frequent moderate lifting and carrying objects of moderate weight (30+ pounds); and/or the operation of vehicle, and with standard dexterity in the use of fingers, hands, limbs, or body in the operation of office equipment in which skills and eye-hand coordination are important ingredients of safe and/or productive operations. Task may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard. D. Environmental Requirements: Task is regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. F. Sensory Requirements: Task requires color perception and discrimination. Task requires sound perception and discrimination. Task requires texture perception and discrimination. Task requires visual perception and discrimination. Task requires oral communications ability. Page 5 City Attorney – continued Approved: ______________________________Date: _________________ Human Resources Director Approved: ______________________________Date: _________________ City Manager Received by:____________________________Date: _________________ Employee