Deputy City Attorney

The City's Deputy City Attorney performs difficult professional and responsible administrative work in the rendering of legal services, counsel, representation, and regular guidance to the City agencies, departments, boards, and/or commissions, under the general direction of the City Attorney. Prepares legal documents, contracts, agreements, and Ordinances; represents the city in civil litigation including trials and appellate work.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $109,672.04 - $$137,380.33 Annually.  Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities. 

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option.  While the City does not participate in VRS, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Serves as legal advisor and counsel to an assigned portfolio of City agencies, departments, and boards. 
• Conducts legal research and prepares opinions on regulations and legal matters affecting assigned matters.
• Prepares or reviews City ordinances, contracts, Grant Agreements, or other legal documents.
• Reviews proposed and passed legislation from sessions of the General Assembly.
• Represents the City government, its boards, commissions, officials, and employees before federal, state, and local courts.
• Defends civil litigation brought against the City and its officials, agencies, departments, and employees by evaluating claims, circumstances, legal issues, and relevant materials; determining and drafting appropriate responsive pleadings, performing research, drafting briefs, documents, and legal memorandum; preparing and presenting arguments, as well as preparing/interviewing witnesses and presenting evidence; conducting negotiations; handling appellate procedures.
• Performs trial duties, including completing discovery; scheduling and taking depositions; attending the trial settlement conference; preparing exhibits; conferring with witnesses; preparing documentation, jury instructions and exhibits; handling voir dire; making post-trial motions and other related duties.
• Reviews and/or responds to subpoena duces tecum requests.
• Provides information and answers inquiries from the public.
• Attends after-hour meetings of boards and commissions of the City, as assigned, and is prepared to render on-the-spot legal advice.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, charter revisions, proposed legislation, contracts, deeds, leases, releases, franchises, and other complicated legal documents on behalf of the City.
• Prepares formal legal opinions for the signature of the City Attorney.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, charter revisions, and key legal instruments, as directed by the City Attorney (which may include but is not limited to contracts, deeds, leases, releases, franchises, notes, deeds of trust, easements, partnership agreements, articles of incorporation and bylaws).
• May conducts title searches, oversees the acquisition of easements, certifies titles and handles closings.
• May establish procedures to minimize and pursue the collection of delinquent taxes and other accounts.
• Depending on assignment, provides legal review and counsel specific to land use applications, site plans, Building Code and permits, zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan amendments, proffer agreements, zoning interpretations, and local, state, and federal laws relevant to land use development.
• Depending on assignment, may represent the Charlottesville Department of Social Services in proceedings.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.
 

• Graduation from accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate AND at least 5 years of experience in the practice of law.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

 
Preferred:

• Prior experience in the practice of municipal law.
• Prior litigation experience handling motions and trials in General District and/or Circuit Courts.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Licensed to practice law in Commonwealth of Virginia (or eligible to be admitted to practice law under the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia Part 1A, Rule 1A:1.)
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

 
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
 
Job Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal, state, and federal laws, torts, contracts, civil rights, administrative process, and real property.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, practices, and references utilized in legal research.
• Knowledge of civil litigation and juvenile court procedure and/or real estate, land use, zoning, and contracts law.
• Thorough knowledge of legal office procedures and practices.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read and understand complex books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.

Writing

• Advanced: ability to research and prepare legal documents with proper documentation, reporting, record keeping and compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.  Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex thoughts and ideas in writing.

Math

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

Communication Skills

• Advanced:  recommendations regarding policy development and implementation are made and/or recommended.   Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, City administration, and the public. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations.  Evaluates customer satisfaction, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction. Provide oral and written presentations in public.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills

• Basic: uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities.   Demonstrated skill in computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and statistical databases to enter data, maintain records and generate reports; uses of computer technology for legal research.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Time pressure.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Constant interruptions and requests for service.
• Must work effectively with sensitive and confidential materials and issues.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May be required to work additional hours outside of normal schedule, including weekends and/or nights.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary Work:   Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently. 
• Must be able to frequently remain in a stationary position.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Salary : $109,672 - $137,380