Assistant City Attorney

Location : City Hall 415 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN
Job Type: Full Time Regular
Job Number: 2026-7-24
Department: Legal
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Purpose
Reports to and assists the City Attorney in all elements of representation of the City of Kingsport and Kingsport City Schools. May act on behalf of the City Attorney in his/her absence.

Essential Functions

• Under the general direction of the City Attorney, performs a variety of legal duties in a broad range of the law, such as administrative law, employment law, education law, municipal law, constitutional law, real estate law, contract law, tort law, tax law, and civil rights law;
• Performs responsible administrative work collaborating with City Attorney and city management to achieve goals as set forth and directed by City Attorney;
• Assists with the administrative and supervisory responsibilities of legal assistants and clerical staff;
• Assists in management of litigation; prepares and files pleadings, motions, and briefs for cases;
• Confers with and assists department heads, Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Board of Education members City committees and commissions and members thereof pertaining to legal questions and provides legal and factual guidance on matters affecting the city's interest, often requiring extensive research, and when requested by the City Attorney provides oral or written legal opinions;
• Works collaboratively with departments to ensure legal compliance with applicable law;
• Drafts, reviews and revises a variety of documents such as ordinances, resolutions, bonds, contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, leases, deeds, releases, policies, administrative directives, general orders, forms, letters, memoranda, and other documents to ensure compliance with applicable law;
• Attends Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings and other board, commission committee, staff meetings, and community meetings, as needed.
• Represents the City in court and internal and external hearings and administrative proceedings to represent the City's interests as required;
• Responds to and resolves inquiries, requests for information and complaints when the City Attorney is unavailable;
• Attends professional conferences, training, seminars and workshops as necessary to maintain job knowledge, skills and licensure requirements;
• As directed by City Attorney, represent the City in all stages of its response to complaints with state and federal civil rights and other administrative offices;
• Maintains confidentiality;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the state and federal constitutions, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Equal Opportunity Employment Act, and intellectual property, student rights, custody, education, employment, civil rights, real estate, local government, procurement, contract and tort law;
• Thorough knowledge of, and skill in, research techniques, methods and procedures;
• Thorough knowledge of modern management principles and practices, including operation of computers and software, and other related office technology;
• Ability to learn and comprehend complex legal issues, principles and matters;
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to prioritize tasks, organize, allocate, coordinate, and review the work of subordinates;
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and report research findings;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with employees, municipal officials and the public;
• Valid driver's license

Education and Experience
Minimum is Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and admitted to practice law in the State of Tennessee (or eligible for comity under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7 or related provisions) and four (4) years of relevant legal experience as an attorney. Experience representing governmental entities in Tennessee preferred.

The City of Kingsport does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations.
RETIREMENT- TCRS Hybrid Plan: Participation is mandatory. No waiting period. Plan is a combination of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit plan consists of a 5% mandatory contribution from the employee and a 4% employer contribution. Employee is also auto-enrolled at 2 % in the defined contribution plan with the City contributing 5%. Employee has the option to increase or decrease his/her defined contribution percentage.
VACATION: Vacation accrual is based upon your length of service with the Ctiy Of Kingsport. New employees will receive upon hire date one (1) week vacation, and will accrue 6.67 hours per month with the exception of Firefighters who accrue 12 hours per month. Vacation is available for use as it is earned.
HOLIDAYS: The City of Kingsport offers 12 paid Holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Floating Holiday (1 day). There is no eligibility period to qualify for Holiday pay.
SICK HOURS: Employees accrue eight (8) sick hours at the end of each month worked. Sick hours may be used for personal or immediate family illness up to a maximum of 1040 hours per calendar year. In addition, sick hours may also be applied toward early retirement (see TCRS rules for retirement for further information).
LIFE INSURANCE: The City of Kingsport provides all full time employees Term Life Insurance at no cost. The coverage amount is equal to one (1) times your annual base salary.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE (optional): - Full time employees also have the option to elect Supplemental Life Insurance coverage at an additional one (1) times their annual base salary. Rates are based upon your age and annual salary.

DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE (optional): Full time employees can elect Term Life insurance for their dependents at either $5,000 or $10,000 amounts. The cost elect coverage for their dependents at $.64 per pay period for $5000; $1.28 per pay period for $10,000.

LONG TERM DISABILITY (optional): Carrier is MetLife. Monthly premium cost is shared 50/50 by employee/City. Eligible after 90 days of employment. Covers 60% of your monthly earnings up to a maximum of $7,500.00. Pays until you are approved for social security disability or until you return to work. Benefits begin after 120 days of consecutive disability

HEALTH INSURANCE (optional): Carrier is BCBST, network S.Full time employees have the option to select from two (2) plans (Standard Plan and Basic Plan). Premium cost is shared by employee/City.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH CLINIC: Provider is Premise Health. Confidential. Available to employees/dependents who are covered under the City's health care plans (BCBST). Clinic treats both acute and chronic conditions and can prescribe medications, provide annual physicals, health coaching, lab work, and much more. No co-pays, no deductibles, and no cost for select generic medications dispensed on-site.


DENTAL INSURANCE (optional): Carrier is Delta Dental. Premium cost is paid by employee. Annual maximum coverage of $1,000 per member which increases by $100 per year up to a maximum of $1,500 provided member has at least one preventative procedure performed each plan year.

VISION INSURANCE (optional): Carrier is Davis Vision. Premium cost is paid by employee. Annual eye exams, lenses and lens upgrades, frames, contacts.


FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (optional): Carrier is Flores. Contribution amounts are pre-tax. Healthcare and Dependent Care options. Employees can contribute up to the allowed IRS maximum amounts. Healthcare rollover of up to $610 for plan year 2024.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: 2 programs: Ballad Health and Ulliance, Inc. Available to Full time employees. Provides confidential mental health and substance abuse services and much more.

EMPLOYEE PHYSICAL WELLNESS PROGRAM: Provider is Cora. Available to all regular full time and part time employees at no cost. Provides a regiment of treatment when employees experience minor musculoskeletal disorders due to life's everyday stresses and strains.


KINGSPORT AQUATIC CENTER: Free membership for full time employees elected in the City's medical plan. Discounted rates for employees and their family.
GYM MEMBERSHIPS (optional): City will reimburse 50% of individual membership rate each quarter. Reimbursement is based on an attendance requirement.

AIR MED (optional): Provider is AirMed. Memberships can be elected in 1, 3, 5, or 10 year increments. Provides air ambulance services for a life or limb threatening emergency to an emergency medical treatment facility.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE (optional): Provider is Trustmark. Supplemental accident insurance that pays you cash directly to help pay for treatment for covered accidents.

CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE (optional): Provider is The Standard. Insurance that helps cover out of pocket expenses associated with a serious illness. Helps fill the gaps caused by these out of pocket costs. Pays you for completing certain health screenings.

UNIVERSAL LIFE/LONG TERM CARE: (optional): Provider is Trustmark. Whole Life Insurance policy that includes a long-term care benefit that can help you pay for services at any age. Benefit never reduces due to age.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time, non-probationary employees are eligible to request tuition reimbursement for courses that are work-related and improve the skills required by employees in their employment. Reimbursement will be provided after eligible expenses remaining are unpaid from other financial aid/assistance (scholarships/grants).

• Undergraduate Courses: up to $1,000 per employee per semester/$3,600 in a fiscal year
• Graduate Courses: up to $1,200 per employee per semester/$3,600 in a fiscal year