City Attorney

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of complex administrative, technical, and professional duties, including drafting legal documents, advising city officials on legal rights, obligations, and applicable local, state, and federal laws. Serving as in-house counsel, the City Attorney provides legal guidance on all matters concerning the City's operations and coordinates with external legal counsel as hired by the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, or the city's insurance provider. This role requires the exercise of extensive independent judgment as the ultimate legal authority for the City, including interpreting, evaluating, and implementing policies, resolving conflicts within the city government, and overseeing broad legal coordination. The City Attorney is the primary legal advisor and counsel for the City of Ocean Springs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

§ Provides professional legal advice to the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, department heads, city boards and commissions, and other city officials, including making presentations to boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.

§ Acts as the city’s primary legal counsel, advising on legal matters and assisting in recommending, interpreting, and implementing policies and procedures.

§ Reviews, prepares, or assists in the preparation of agendas, ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, leases, legal opinions, deeds, liens, subpoenas, city policies, and all other city related documents. This includes attending meetings, writing letters, conducting legal research, negotiating, and approving the form of such instruments.

§ Responds to public records requests.

§ Seeks guidance and opinions from MS Attorney General, Ethics Commission, or other supervisory authority as necessary.

§ Drafts and monitors legislation related to municipalities, tracking state and federal legislative activity.

§ Provides proactive legal counsel on issues pertaining to personnel policies, procedures, and compliance with employment laws such as but not limited to EEOC, FLSA and FMLA.

§ Communicates official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the public, and implements policies enacted by the Board of Aldermen.

§ Issues written and oral instructions, legal opinions, and prepares reports and studies to aid in decision making.

§ Assists department heads in ensuring the faithful execution of all laws and ordinances.

§ Attends all meetings of the Board of Aldermen, Planning Commission or any other commissions at which attendance may be required, makes presentations and gives advice on legal questions involved.

§ Reviews documents including ordinances, resolutions and contracts prepared by other agencies or parties for legal form and advises on their substance.

§ Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for city officials and staff and advises on changes to state or federal laws affecting city operations.

§ Confers with legal specialists to establish the basis for legal proceedings and serves as a liaison between outside legal counsel and city officials to assist with gathering evidence in civil, criminal, and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action.

§ Performs any other duties/and or responsibilities required or assigned by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

DESIRED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

§ Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree: and a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney; municipal experience preferred.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

§ Considerable knowledge of state statues related to municipal affairs; including laws governing the purchase of goods and services, contracting, labor, employment, land use, city zoning, environment and traffic; as well as a working understanding of modern municipal law and public administration policies and practices.

§ Proficient in the City’s Code of Ordinances, Unified Development Code, and other controlling local laws.

§ Skilled in preparing legal briefs and documents using relevant tools and equipment.

§ Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment when evaluating and comparing actions and making decisions based on various considerations.

§ Ability to work independently to achieve results, originating, planning, and completing tasks.

§ Strong problem-solving ability with the capacity to handle diverse, intangible facts and elements, often without precedent, and plan based on the city’s policies, rules, and objectives.

§ Ability to meet deadlines, collaborate with external entities, and perform legal research.

§ Proficient in evaluating facts, interpreting laws, and applying legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal challenges.

§ Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present legal concepts clearly and logically. Must build cooperative working relationships with employees, city officials, the court system, and the public.

§ Ability to manage significant responsibilities that impact organizational climate and workflow, often requiring quick, independent judgment.

§ Ability to handle confidential information, where any disclosure could significantly affect internal and external relationships. Must ensure factual accuracy and exercise sound judgment to prevent financial loss.

§ Proficient in preparing, analyzing, and completing comprehensive legal documents and projects.

§ Knowledgeable of the structure, duties, powers, and limitations of Mississippi municipal government, as well as state statutes, administrative principles, constitutional law, legal research methods and the functions of governmental agencies, boards, commissions and other bodies.

Special Requirements

§ A valid license to practice law in the State of Mississippi, with membership in the State Bar of Mississippi required and maintained as a condition of continued employment.

§ Must have a valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one by the date of hire.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Tools and equipment may include but are not limited to personal computer, calculator, phone, copy machine, and corresponding software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters in order to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is generally performed in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; to stand; to walk; to speak and hear; to use vision both close and distance, and ability to adjust focus accordingly; to use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects or tools including but not limited to telephone, computer keyboard, computer mouse; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 15 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quite in the office and moderate to loud in the field.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

§ Submission of completed Employment Application and resume.

§ Rating of education and experience.

§ Oral interview; reference & background checks.

OTHER

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employees and is subject to change by the employer as the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

Experience:

• law: 5 years (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)
• Night Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Ocean Springs, MS 39564 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ocean Springs, MS 39564: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $95,000 - $125,000