Staff Attorney

Community-Minded Staff Attorney Position

A search is underway to hire a community-minded Staff Attorney to be a part of the City Attorney's Office for the City of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Our City leadership strives for excellence, focusing on actions for the betterment of our community now and for the future, with a willingness to act boldly and creatively to achieve our goals and objectives. The City of Jacksonville is a vibrant military host city with an overall population of 73,484. Our leadership team is committed to improving the quality of life for all community members through focused efforts on dynamic projects and initiatives that help shift economic development. Based on Council priorities we strive to provide unparalleled services, programs and opportunities for all ages, and expand on the sustainable health of our people, waterways and public spaces that help make Jacksonville a great place to work, live and play. Jacksonville's strong military presence of Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station makes this community unique. Our long standing positive relationship and partnership with our military is a key factor in our community success. Tangible experience at a military installation, understanding protocols and an energetic vision for continual collaboration within the City's leadership team is vital. With tourism, growth, and economic development in mind, the City is planning and implementing several economic development initiatives. Prime among these is the development of a 400 acre parcel which, upon completion, will function as a hub for community recreation, organized sports as well as a nexus for regional sporting and other events. Jacksonville seeks a Staff Attorney who is open-minded and is ready to navigate through and engage with community partners that work to keep our community thriving and economically sustainable. The successful candidate is a well seasoned civil servant with deep understanding of municipal law and the ability to successfully navigate community issues, initiatives and partnerships. As part of the City Attorney's Office, the Staff Attorney will join our forward thinking, high-functioning management team that works together to implement City Council vision and strategic goals. The Staff Attorney supports the City Attorney who acts as legal counsel for City Council and the City Manager's leadership team, where the working relationship is one of trust, collaboration and transparency. The successful candidate will bring seasoned successful municipal law experience, energy and influence to build on our positive community partnerships and networks. The Staff Attorney performs difficult professional and administrative work providing legal and legislative representation, legal research, and intergovernmental relations services for the City. Responsibilities include advising the City's elected officials, executive leadership, and employees on legal and policy matters that may impact municipal operations, serving as the City's liaison to federal, state, regional and local judicial, governmental, and private entities, monitoring and analyzing legislation, developing advocacy strategies, and managing risk while ensuring compliance. Work involves providing expert-level legal advice and representation, conducting difficult legal research and preparing legislative and policy analyses, all while establishing and maintaining effective relationships with employees of the judicial system and members of the legal community, legislators, government agencies, and public and private stakeholders. Tasked with representing the City's interests before federal and state courts, the North Carolina General Assembly and other governmental bodies. Performs work to ensure that the legal aspects of the City's risk management process are effectively addressed. Responsibilities include ensuring legal compliance and ethical conduct of City employees, including the Jacksonville Police through advising the department on criminal law, open records issues, training and policy development. Represents the City and its employees, including Law Enforcement Officers, in civil litigation and assists with criminal prosecutions, reviewing arrest procedures and ensuring compliance with law. Exercises considerable independent judgment and discretion in prioritizing issues, formulating recommendations, and coordinating advocacy efforts. In addition, the position performs special legal and administrative assignments as directed by the City Attorney. Work is performed under the general direction of the City Attorney and is evaluated based on the effectiveness of legal and legislative advocacy, quality of legal analyses, and overall contribution to legal compliance, risk management, policy development and other legal and organizational objectives within the City. Hiring Range for this position is $96,222.50 to $125,089.24. The City of Jacksonville provides an excellent benefits package, including health and dental coverage and NC Local Government Employee Retirement Plan participation.

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks

Providing legal counsel to elected officials, executive leadership, departments, and employees; conducting legal research and issuing legal opinions; drafting, reviewing, and interpreting ordinances, contracts, and other legal documents; and representing the City in legal proceedings and administrative matters as assigned. Assists in managing legal risk, ensuring compliance with applicable laws including public records and open meetings requirements, and supporting code enforcement activities; developing and advancing the City's legislative agenda by monitoring and analyzing proposed legislation, and advocating on behalf of the City before state and regional bodies; negotiating, policy analysis, and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. (These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Serves as legal counsel for City officials and employees, departments, boards, and other City-related agencies as directed by the City Attorney.
• Attends meetings and provides legal advice regarding decisions to be made, documents and contracts to be considered, and litigation to be brought or responded to on the City's behalf. This may involve the drafting of ordinances, reviewing of contracts, preparing and reviewing of bid documents, briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents.
• Evaluates City policy and other issues of interest to the City, conducting research to clarify issues, identify alternatives, develop recommendations for best practices and risk management, and prepare verbal and written reports as required.
• Identifies potential legal risks within City operations and provides advice to mitigate such risks through research and application of various laws and regulations to ensure the City's compliance therewith.
• Collaborates with City departments to identify potential risks and develops strategies to manage these risks
• Reviews contracts, agreements, and legal documents for potential risks and to ensure compliance with law.
• Consults with the City Attorney, City Manager and other City officials to determine the need to propose state legislation and follows through to secure support and passage of appropriate legislation.
• Under the direction of the City Attorney, consults with the City Mayor, City Council, Manager, and administrative department heads concerning problems and needs of all areas of municipal government to provide informed representation before Courts, boards, and the North Carolina General Assembly and assists in securing judgments and legislation favorable to the City.
• Appears before Courts, boards and commissions, establishing and maintaining close contacts with judicial staff and the legal community.
• Appears before the Legislature, establishing and maintaining close contacts among legislative committees, individual legislators, public officials, trade and industrial associations, chambers of commerce, and business organizations in order to influence members and to assure full communication of ideas, interests, and purposes.
• Performs research concerning proposed legislation and ordinances; analyzes tax laws and related data; prepares articles, speeches and reports on administrative and legislative problems and practices; explains or recommends action to the City Attorney, Mayor, City Council, or North Carolina General Assembly; informs the City Attorney, Mayor, and the City Council regarding state and federal governmental trends, attitudes, and programs.
• Represents the City of Jacksonville in speaking to civic clubs and groups.
• Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification.

Required Education and Experience

A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA (American Bar Association) accredited law school. Must have an active license in good standing to practice law in the state of North Carolina, or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable amount of time. City attorneys must meet continuing legal education (CLE) requirements. At least six years' experience in a government or public sector legal office is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge and skills in the principles and practices of municipal and public interest law, including complex legal research and writing, complex litigation, and technological proficiency in e-filing and e-discovery platforms. Thorough knowledge of public administration, particularly of the organization and functions of constituent units of municipal government. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external elected and appointed officials, judicial and administrative officers, lobbyists, legislative representatives, and the public. Ability to work independently, choosing creative techniques and methods of obtaining results within legal and ethical limitations. Ability to conduct original research and routine investigations, making sound legal and administrative analyses relating to policy and management problems. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present oral and written reports and recommendations to officials, groups, and individuals. Ability to exercise sound legal judgment and maintain professional composure, especially in high-stress situations.

Benefits

The City of Jacksonville offers a comprehensive benefits package to all eligible employees. Find out more about the benefits of working with the City.