Assistant City Attorney

Salary : $81,023.51 - $101,279.39 Annually

Location : Mesquite, TX

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 2500143

Department : City Attorney

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 14 / 2025 4 : 00 PM Central

GENERAL SUMMARY

Salary : $81,023.51 minimum to $101,279.39 mid-point annually (Depending on Qualifications)

GENERAL SUMMARY

The position requires professional legal services primarily concerning municipal procurement, contracts, Public Information Act and Texas Open Meeting Act matters. Preparing, tracking and analyzing contracts, open record requests, ordinances, resolutions and other legal instruments, providing legal advice and opinions to the City Attorney, Staff and Boards and Commissions, and attending evening meetings are required. The successful candidate may also assist with other transactional and litigation matters, and other duties as assigned by the City Attorney.

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SUPERVISION

General supervision is provided by the City Attorney and may be provided by a Deputy and / or Sr. Assistant City Attorney.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal assistance to City departments regarding municipal law with a special emphasis on municipal procurement, contracts, and Public Information Act matters.
• Understand, interpret and apply Texas Local Government Code Chapters 252 and 271 and related authorities regarding the purchasing and contracting authority of municipalities, advise and cooperate with the Purchasing Department, and review and revise City contracts.
• Understand, interpret and apply Texas Government Code Chapter 2269 regarding contracting and delivery procedures for construction projects, advise and cooperate with City Departments on construction contracts, and review and revise City construction contracts.
• Provide assistance with other transactional matters and potentially some litigation matters.
• Provide legal interpretation of Federal and State laws, regulations and case law, and local ordinances, codes, policies and procedures.
• Draft or assist in drafting requests for AG opinions, ordinances, resolutions, policies, contracts, and other legal instruments.
• Attend meetings and public hearings and render legal advice to the City Attorney, Staff, Boards and Commissions.
• Research and writing to analyze and prepare legal opinions.
• All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct & Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Adhere to assigned work schedule as outlined in City and department attendance policies and procedures.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

EXPERIENCE

One year or more of experience in municipal law representing governmental entities concerning procurement, contracts, and Public Information Act and Open Meeting Act matters is preferred.

Candidates with less than one year of experience may be considered with applications demonstrating familiarity with municipal or transactional law, excellent research, writing and critical thinking skills (writing sample must be available upon request), and ability to prioritize multiple tasks and duties.

Experience as an employee of a local governmental entity or law firm representing municipalities is preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Membership in the State Bar of Texas (pending Bar results may be considered under conditions).

Possession of or ability to obtain license for practice before U.S. District Court.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

WORK SCHEDULE

Normal work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m. and may include some evening meetings and working on weekends as necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position does not require a physical for employment.

Applicants with disabilities meeting the job requirements and capable of performing the essential functions of the job, either on their own or with reasonable accommodations, are encouraged to apply.

Full Time Employees :

The City of Mesquite offers the Zero Premium, Employee Only Benefits under the following plans : High Deductible Medical Plan, HMO Dental Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance.

The City is self-insured and offers a choice of four medical plans : HSA, High Deductible, HMO, PPO, and EPO Medical Plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Employee medical coverage goes into effect the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. Employees enrolled in the City's self-insured medical plan also have access to the Mesquite Employee Health Center (MEHC) clinic and pharmacy.

The City offers three dental plan options : a managed plan (DHMO), an indemnity plan (DPPO), an enhanced indemnity plan (DPPO Enhanced). Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates.

The City offers free Vision Insurance to all employees. Dependents can be added for an additional fee.

Basic Group Life Insurance protection is provided to eligible full-time employees in the amount of two times the annual salary as recorded at the beginning of each year. The following voluntary benefits are available to full-time employees : Supplemental Life, AD&D Insurance, Cancer Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) : All employees appointed to positions designated to work 1,000 hours or more per year must participate in the TMRS. TMRS is a qualified tax-deferred retirement plan under Section 401 of the IRS. Seven (7) percent of gross earnings are deducted each payroll as a pre-tax deduction and deposited into the member account. When an employee becomes vested and retires, the City provides 2-to-1 matching contributions.

Other benefits include Social Security, Tax Saver Program (Section 125 Flexible Spending Account), Deferred Compensation Plans, Direct Deposit, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Personal Leave.

For more information about the City of Mesquite's employee benefits, please visit :

Select the option that best represents the highest level of education you have achieved.

Please indicate how many years of experience in municipal law representing governmental entities concerning procurement, contracts, and Public Information Act and Open Meeting Act matters.

Please indicate how many years you possess as an employee of a local governmental entity or law firm representing municipalities.

Do you have current membership in the State Bar of Texas?

Do you currently possess or have the ability to obtain a license for practice before the U.S. District Court.

Do you have a valid driver's license?

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY : If you are a current City of Mesquite employee, have you been employed in your current position with the City of Mesquite for at least 3 months? Please indicate the option that best represents your current status.

Required Question

Salary : $81,024 - $101,279