Assistant City Attorney/Government Affairs Manager

Leads the government relations functions of the City. Serves as a key member of the City's leadership team. Highly responsible professional staff and liaison work planning and executing a comprehensive, proactive government affairs strategy that advances the City’s mission and goals. Has extensive contact with elected officials, community stakeholders, legislators, and representatives from public, private and government agencies. Manages City’s legislative priorities and lobbying efforts. Uses legal background and managerial acumen to further strategic goals of City Manager’s Office. Performs other tasks as may be assigned by the City Manager.

Serves as legal advisor and consultant in the resolution of moderately complex legal matters with other legal staff and administrators when necessary. Responsible for representing the City in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government. Supervises support staff, which may include legal assistants, paralegals, and/or other departmental personnel. Work is characterized by complexity, frequency, and heavy work volume.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Assists the City Manager in the administration of the City, consistent with the City's goals and objectives, as well as ensuring high-quality customer service, and professional standards.

Researches and analyzes management policy initiatives, legislative issues, and other policy related matters as a member of the City Manager's Executive Team. Responsible for developing policies, administrative orders, legislative recommendations, and procedures for implementation, and then presenting them to the City Manager and City Commission for approval. Monitors, tracks and interprets legislation affecting the City and prepares briefs and testimony on legislation. Attends a variety of meetings and periodically travels to Tallahassee or other locations as necessary to further the City’s legislative priorities.

Works directly with the City's lobbyists, elected officials, and other organizations in promoting the City's legislative program, along with City departments and public interest groups on various legislative matters. Prepares briefs, writes detailed and complex management reports, and compiles and disseminates a variety of information.

Manages City programs or serves as liaison to boards, groups or agencies working with the City.Provides technical assistance to City departments and agencies on legislative matters. Serves as management liaison to various regional and community groups.

Represents the City in public speaking assignments related to job responsibilities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Represents the City Manager before committees, boards, citizen groups, and other agencies or organizations.

Makes recommendations in the development of administrative policies and advises staff on policy questions arising in the course of carrying out their duties. Confers with and advises department and division heads regarding assignments/tasks/functions delegated by the City Manager.

Attends City Commission meetings, public and community meetings, staff meetings, committee meetings, and conferences.

Researches and prepares written legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda as assigned. Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.

Advises City officials and employees on legal questions arising in the course of carrying out their duties, including proper legal interpretation and application of statutes, case law, ordinances, and other regulations. Performs legal research and drafts legal memoranda and legal opinions.

Assists with the supervision of outside counsel, helps coordinate responses to discovery, and provides reports to the City Attorney regarding the progress of litigation.

Provides legal advice and assistance to official municipal advisory boards and committees.

Represents the City before quasi-judicial, administrative boards, and hearing officers as needed, i.e. code ticket hearings, red light camera hearings, Board of Adjustment and Construction Regulation Board.

Performs related tasks as required.

Bachelor's degree.
Professional Law degree (JD) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Membership, in good standing in the Florida Bar.
Minimum of six (6) years professional experience required. Local government practice experience and civil practice experience to include experience in administration, intergovernmental affairs, legislative processes, and appropriations processes required.

HOLIDAYS: 14 days including 3 floating days.

SICK LEAVE: 110 hours annually.

ANNUAL LEAVE: 120 hours in the first year of employment, increasing up to 248 after 25 years. Employees must take 40 hours of annual leave each year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: 5 or 10 days for the death of a family member in accordance with the City's Personnel Rules & Regulations.

MOBILE/CELLULAR TELEPHONE: Employee has an option of paying $20.00 monthly for the use of a City provided cell phone, or a $100 monthly stipend.
HEALTH SCREENING: Annual medical screening.
FLOATERS: 5 days per fiscal year (pro-rate depending on start date).
HEALTH INSURANCE: Fully paid by the City (HMO Select). Coverage becomes effective 1st of month following 30 days. Employee may purchase coverage for eligible dependents at a cost of approximately 50% of the premium.
DENTAL INSURANCE: Available at a cost to all employees through payroll deduction.
VISION INSURANCE: Available at a cost to all employees through payroll deduction.
POST EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN (PEHP): $1,200 annually.

• Tennis Centers – No charge for daily court fees
• Venetian Pool – No charge for daily admission.
• Youth Center – 50% off residential rates for memberships and 25% off camps and other programs.

Golf at Biltmore & Granada:

• Saturday, Sunday and Holidays:
• After Noon – No charge
• Before Noon – Twilight fees apply
• Monday through Friday – no charge