What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant City Attorney position at City of Lakeland?

Salary : $104,217.31 - $166,747.27 Annually

Location : Lakeland, FL

Job Type : Full Time Regular

Job Number : 1054-05

Department : Legal 0013000000

Opening Date : 01 / 23 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

FLSA : Exempt

Bargaining Unit : NA

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney provides comprehensive in-house legal services to the City Commission, all City departments, and various boards and committees. This position is responsible for researching, analyzing, and applying federal, state, and local laws, judicial decisions, and administrative procedures.

Key responsibilities include the legal representation of the City and its officials, preparing and reviewing legal documents such as ordinances, contracts, and leases, and providing legal advice to City officials and departments. The Assistant City Attorney also plays a crucial role in developing and enforcing regulatory policies, attending City Commission and Municipal Board meetings to advise on legal matters, participating in hearings, and conducting legal research. This position requires performing a wide range of difficult professional legal duties, regular interaction with the general public on behalf of the City, and maintaining professional relationships with other agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following list summarizes the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Other essential functions not listed below may be assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney for the efficient operation of the department.

Assists the City Attorney as legal counsel for the City in all municipal areas.
Attends public meetings and hearings of the City Commission, boards, and committees to advise on legal matters.
Reviews and drafts various legal documents, including contracts, leases, legal opinions, and memoranda, as assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.
Assists in establishing or interpreting departmental policies and procedures to comply with legal requirements and recommend appropriate changes as necessary.
Conducts legal research, analyzes proposed and enacted legislation, and maintains up-to-date knowledge of developments in relevant areas of law.
Provides legal guidance and opinions to departments and employees regarding the interpretation or application of Federal and State statutes and caselaw, and local ordinances, rules, and regulations, including the Charter of the City of Lakeland and its Land Development Code, Resolutions, and internal policies.
Maintains effective working relationships with staff, including close contact with all personnel affected by legal matters.
Engages in conflict resolution with staff, citizens, or legal representatives as reasonably necessary to protect the City's interests by mitigating liability and risk.
Represents the City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.
Participates on behalf of the City in limited / non-complex litigation, as may be required before federal and state courts and administrative agencies.
May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
Position designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS :

Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Member in good standing of the Florida Bar.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Must maintain a valid telephone number.

Three (3) years of experience practicing law, preferably in - or on behalf of - state or local government agencies preferred.

Specialized experience in real estate / land use, contracts, quasi-judicial / administrative procedures, regulatory development and enforcement, and procurement preferred.

Knowledge of issues unique to the State of Florida, specifically Florida's Public Records Act and Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Organization, attention to detail, prioritization, time management, and ability to handle several assignments concurrently.

Highly effective written, verbal, electronic, and visual communication abilities for various audiences, including non-lawyers.

Capacity to handle complex and sensitive matters with a high degree of independence, initiative, responsiveness, and discretion.

Skill in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts and other legal documents, conducting complex legal research, and providing sound legal opinions.

Ability to perform under deadlines and in response to emergencies.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, departments, professionals, and members of the public.

Ability to acquire a thorough knowledge of the City Charter, ordinances, and land development code and to apply legal knowledge to varied problems.

Ability to relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions, including applying consistent courtesy and tact in considerable public contact and / or adversarial situations.

Sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.

Extensive knowledge of legal principles and procedures, including familiarity with court rules, evidence rules, and legal research resources and methods.

Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Knowledge of, or willingness to learn and follow, Federal, State and City laws, regulations, methods, procedures, policies, practices and terminology as they pertain to the performance of duties of the position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Office-based work. Requires effective communication and interaction with employees and the public, including telephone and personal contact.

Must be physically capable of using and operating various office equipment, including a personal computer, and potentially lifting, carrying, or pushing articles weighing up to 10 lbs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and / or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows :

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

NOTE : REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan :

Plan C Employee 4.16%

Employer 15.66%

Defined Contribution Plan :

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire / Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan :

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2025 is $23,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury / Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms / Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

Salary : $104,217 - $166,747

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