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Job Description
Minimum Qualifications- Graduation from an accredited law school, plus seven years of experience as an attorney including five years of municipal experience, two of which were in an upper management legal capacity. Shall have practiced law in the State of Texas for at least five years immediately preceding appointment.
Licenses or Certifications:- Admission to the Bar of the State of Texas and member in good standing with the Texas State Bar.
This recruitment will be led by Raftelis.
To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.
How to Apply:
Please visit the Raftelis site to view more about this position and apply. This position is considered open until filled, with a first review of candidates on Monday, January 6, 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
Benefits:
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.
Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public in compliance with the Texas Open Records Act. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact one of the recruiters below before submitting materials. CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES ARE WELCOMED TO:
Pamela Widerman | pwideman@raftelis.com | (704) 287-7649
Robert Colichio| rcolichio@raftelis.com | (503) 866-4213
If you are selected as a top candidate:- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
- This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
- The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact 512-974-3210 or Relay Texas 7-1-1.
- The City of Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Commensurate
Hours
8:00AM - 5:00PM Monday - Friday
*Hours may vary depending upon business needs.
Job Close Date Type of Posting External Department Law Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 301 W. 2nd Street 4th Floor Austin, TX 78701 Preferred Qualifications Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Represent the City in litigation and legal proceedings. Review and present legal opinions, legal advice and counsel to the Mayor and City Council, City Manager, department heads, officers, boards and commissions, and other City staff in their official capacities, on municipal activities to ensure compliance with the City Charter, local, state, and federal laws. Draft, approve, and file legal opinions or objections to each ordinance before City Council action, provide legal advice, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and maintain first-hand knowledge of policies. Conduct legal research, draft, review, and approve all documents, contracts, and legal instruments in which the City may have an interest. Negotiate legal problems and recommend resolutions with interest groups, vendors, customers of the City, the general public, stakeholders, partners, and officials of the court. Read and review statutes, case law, legal opinions, and other documents to maintain knowledge of local, state, and federal legislation and jurisprudence affecting municipal operations, programs, and activities. Advise, prepare, and approve resolutions for Mayor and City Council. Attract, hire, develop, and retain legal talent and manage and coordinate external legal counsel to strategically represent the City in various legal transactions and proceedings. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of legal service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor law department workload, budget, administrative and support systems; identify opportunities for improvement; and direct the implementation of changes. Coordinate and maintain departmental activities and relationships with Mayor and City Council offices, City departments, and outside agencies and organizations. Develop and implement plans to effectively, and proactively, identify and resolve problems for the City.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of municipal, civil and criminal law, judicial procedure, and rules of evidence.
- Knowledge of principles and methods of legal research.
- Knowledge of municipal codes and applicable state laws and federal statutes.
- Knowledge of legal references and limitations.
- Knowledge of municipal organization and City Manager government.
- Knowledge of municipal budgeting.
- Knowledge of personnel hiring, performance evaluation, disciplinary action, and termination.
- Knowledge of the purposes and functions of governmental agencies, boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies.
- Skill in analyzing facts, legal commitment and impact, precedent, organizing information and interpreting and applying legal principles to complex legal issues.
- Skill in preparing and presenting written and oral legal opinions, advice, and counsel.
- Skill in developing and approving ordinances, resolutions, policies, contracts, and other legal instruments.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the Mayor and City Council, court officials, attorneys, interest groups, vendors, customers, City employees, stakeholders, partners, and the public.
- Skill in evaluating alternative courses of action and providing recommendations.
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents Optional Documents -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Austin
Show moreThe City of Austin
This vibrant and dynamic city tops many lists for business, entertainment, and quality of life. One of the country’s most popular, high-profile “green” and culturally rich cities, Austin was recently selected the number one Best Place to Live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report). In 2016, Forbes named Austin the city most likely to prosper over the next decade on their America’s Cities of the Future list, and the City of Austin ranked in the top ten on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for 2017.
Austin continues to lead with its vision of being the Most Livable City in the Country, emerging as a player on the international scene with such events as SXSW, Austin City Limits, Formula 1, and being home to companies such as Apple, Samsung, Dell, and Ascension Seton Healthcare. From the home of state government and the University of Texas to the Live Music Capital of the World and its growth as a film center, Austin has gained worldwide attention as a hub for education, business, health, and sustainability.
The City offers a wide range of events, from music concerts, food festivals, and sports competitions to museum displays, exhibits, and family fun. Austin is also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping, and beautiful outdoor spaces. You can just as easily spend your morning paddling the lake as you can strolling through a celebrated history museum.
Located at the edge of the Texas Hill Country—rolling terrain of limestone bluffs, springs, rivers, and lakes—Austin’s temperate climate is ideal for year-round jogging, cycling, hiking on the City’s many trails, or swimming at Barton Springs or one of the area’s many other swimming holes.
There are a number of excellent golf courses in the area as well as recreational opportunities for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, and more. Austin truly has something to offer for everyone.
City Government
The City of Austin is a progressive, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Austin has a 10-1 council system with an at-large Mayor and Council Members that represent ten districts. The Mayor and Council Members may serve in their respective seats for four years with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The City Council appoints the City Manager who is the chief administrative and executive officer of the City. The City Manager is responsible for guiding and directing day-to-day operations, as well as providing strategic research, recommendations, and management leadership to the City Council on the city budget, programs, policies, and services. The City Manager implements the organization’s administrative responsibilities with a strong team of Assistant City Managers and department executives. Supported by a staff of more than 14,000 and a budget of $4.1 billion, the City Manager and staff deliver a broad range of services to the citizens of Austin.
The City Council and City Manager of Austin are committed to the mission of delivering the highest quality, cost-effective services. Austin is a beacon of sustainability, social equity, and economic opportunity; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs and values are recognized; where leadership comes from its community members, and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all.
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