Assistant City Attorney

Help Shape the Future of St. Cloud Position can be filled no earlier than October 1, 2026, pending final adoption of the FY2026-27 budget by the City Council. The City of St. Cloud is seeking an experienced, collaborative attorney to serve as our next Assistant City Attorney . This is an exceptional opportunity to join the City's executive leadership team and provide strategic legal counsel that directly influences policy, operations, and the future of one of Central Florida's fastest-growing communities. In this role, you'll report to the City Manager while working closely with the City Attorney (an external contractor) for day‑to‑day guidance. You'll be a go‑to legal advisor for City leadership and departments, providing practical counsel on contracts, procurement, legislative matters, regulatory compliance, and complex municipal issues. You'll also serve as Acting City Attorney as directed and supervise the Legal Assistant. We're looking for an attorney who combines sound legal judgment with a collaborative, solutions‑focused approach and who is committed to public service. The ideal candidate embraces our core values of Accountability, Empowerment, Innovation, and Ownership , building trusted relationships while helping the City navigate opportunities and challenges with confidence. If you are an experienced attorney seeking a leadership role where your legal expertise will directly influence policy, operations, and the future of a thriving municipality, we encourage you to apply. Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with flexibility for evening meetings and emergency response as needed. Duties and Responsibilities The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary. Reviews contracts and agreements for goods and services procured through the City's procurement process, ensuring legal sufficiency, compliance with applicable law, and protection of the City's interests. Supervises the Legal Assistant position, providing day‑to‑day direction, work assignments, and performance guidance, in close collaboration with the City Attorney. Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts and agreements with vendors, developers, consultants, franchisees, and other parties, including interlocal agreements, service agreements, leases, licenses, and development agreements. Prepares and reviews legislative documents including ordinances, resolutions, and other agenda materials for City Council meetings, ensuring legal accuracy and compliance with the City Charter, Florida Statutes, and applicable law. Attends City Council meetings, public hearings, advisory board meetings, and other public meetings as directed by the City Attorney; acts in the capacity of City Attorney in the City Attorney's absence. Reviews and drafts a variety of legal documents including contracts, leases, easements, deeds, legal opinions, and legal memoranda as assigned by the City Attorney. Conducts legal research, analyzes proposed and enacted federal and state legislation, monitors developments in municipal and administrative law, and maintains current knowledge of legal trends relevant to City operations. Provides legal guidance, opinions, and advice to City departments and employees regarding the interpretation and application of federal and state statutes, case law, and local ordinances, rules, and regulations, including the City Charter, Land Development Code, Resolutions, and City policies. Assists City departments and personnel in responding to public records requests under Florida's Public Records Act, ensuring timely compliance, proper assertion of applicable exemptions, and adherence to Government‑in‑the‑Sunshine requirements. Assists outside counsel as assigned, including supporting discovery responses and monitoring litigation progress, and coordination with risk insurance carriers and risk management staff. Reviews and provides legal guidance on City policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements; recommends revisions as necessary. Participates in and facilitates legal training for City staff, departments, and officials on topics relevant to municipal law, public records, ethics, and other areas as directed. Performs other related duties as assigned by the City Attorney and City Manager. Minimum Education And Experience Requirements Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Must be an attorney eligible to practice law in Florida with an active Florida Bar license, in good standing with, and without formal disciplinary action, from the Florida Bar. Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience practicing law, with preference for experience in Florida municipal, county, or local government law. Prior experience supervising, mentoring, or providing formal work direction to administrative or legal support staff is preferred; the ability to delegate effectively and provide clear, constructive guidance to support staff is expected of this position. Demonstrated experience in contract drafting, negotiation, and review; experience with public procurement law is preferred. Experience with Florida's Government‑in‑the‑Sunshine Law and Public Records Act preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving history. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The Assistant City Attorney must possess thorough knowledge of legal principles and procedures applicable to municipal government, including constitutional and statutory law of the United States and the State of Florida as they pertain to local government operations. The position requires comprehensive knowledge of contract law, public procurement regulations, administrative law, and Florida's open government requirements. The incumbent must demonstrate skill in drafting and negotiating complex legal documents, conducting thorough legal research using traditional and electronic resources, and preparing clear and well‑reasoned written legal opinions and memoranda. Strong analytical ability is required to evaluate legal issues, assess risk, and develop practical recommendations that balance legal compliance with operational needs. The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present legal concepts clearly to non‑attorneys including City staff, elected officials, and members of the public. The incumbent must demonstrate sound professional judgment and the ability to work independently on assigned matters while appropriately consulting with the City Attorney on matters of novel legal issues, significant financial exposure, or broad policy implications. The ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently, meet deadlines, and maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail is essential. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, department directors, staff, outside counsel, and the public, and to handle sensitive matters with discretion and confidentiality. Physical Requirements 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 sit, use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend or stoop. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Working Conditions Work is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The position requires attendance at evening meetings of the City Council and other boards/committees as directed, and occasional travel to other City facilities, meetings with outside agencies, and court or administrative proceedings. This position is designated as essential for Emergency Preparation and Response purposes and may be required to perform duties outside of normal working hours during emergency activations. An Equal Opportunity Employer The City of St. Cloud is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in all of its employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran or family status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws. The City participates in employment eligibility verifications through E-verify. Veteran's preference is given in accordance with Florida Law. City Of St. Cloud Benefits Package We believe our City employees to be our most valuable asset. To attract and retain those employees, we offer a competitive wages and benefits package including on-the-job training, seminars, and performance appraisals. We invite you to look at the benefits the City of St. Cloud has to offer. We think you will find that the rewards of the job are equal to the challenge. On‑Site Employee Health Care Center - free for employees and their dependents on the health insurance plan Paid Vacation Sick Leave (Ability to roll over from year to year) 11 Paid Holidays for General Employees and Police Officers– The Fire department employees can earn up to 156 holiday hours per fiscal year (prorated from the employee's start date). One (1) Floating Holiday for General Employees and two (2) for Police Officers. Medical and Dental Coverage Pension Plan Awards Programs Deferred Compensation Plan Discounted Automobile Insurance Employee Assistance Program Flexible Spending Account Flexible Work Schedules Holiday Bonus – subject to City Council approval Indianapolis Plan (Police Officers) Life and Accidental Death (One‑time annual salary paid by City) Long Term Disability Coverage (paid by City) Management Leave Sick Leave Bank available for all employees - for Fire Union sick leave bank information, see union contract Important Notices for Plan Participants and Beneficiaries (PDF) #J-18808-Ljbffr St. Cloud State University