Assistant City Attorney/Solicitor

Job Purpose The purpose of this classification is to assist the City Attorney in providing legal services to the City of Albany. The Assistant City Attorney/Solicitor performs complex executive and professional level work as a legal advisor to the Mayor and Commission, City staff and various boards and commissions of the City. The Assistant City Attorney/Solicitor is appointed by, serves at the pleasure of, Mayor and Commission. This position requires a highly experienced executive level attorney who can provide expert assistance and solid legal advice. The ability to conduct civil lawsuits, prepare briefs and legal documents, research legal documents and legal issues.

Essential Functions

Prosecute violations of municipal code and state law involving traffic violations, ordinance violations, building regulations, zoning ordinances, land use ordinances, license violations and permit violations.

Research and prepare legal opinions for City Commission, City Manager, boards, commissions, and other city staff. Prepare or revise ordinances when requested by the Mayor, Commission or any committee thereof.

Attend all regular and special called City Commission meetings.

May organize and prioritize department workload; make work assignments; monitor status of work in progress; inspect completed work; consult with assigned staff to review work requirements, status, and problems; assist with complex or problem situations; provide direction, advice, and technical expertise.

Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable City codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiate any actions necessary to correct violations.

Review and respond to Open Records Act requests and other communications from the public.

Investigate and evaluate legal claims against the City of Albany; investigate and evaluate Title VII/EEO issues within the City.

Attend hearings in all courts, Federal, State and Municipal Court.

Participate in pre‑trial preparation; conduct interviews of clients; select and interview witnesses; draft motions and briefs; respond to discovery requests; develop strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case; brief; conduct depositions.

May try cases as lead counsel in Federal, Superior, and State Courts; negotiate with opposing counsel when necessary and appropriate to resolve cases.

Handle nuisance abatement and other code enforcement matters. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for the City and/or its employees.

Evaluate violations of criminal law: review warrants and/or citations issued for violations; analyze incident reports, witness statements, video, lab reports, photographs, evidence and other pertinent information; conduct case research and review of pertinent case law; note specifics of dates, previous offenses and other related information; determine validity and weight of evidence and determine specific criminal law violations.

Provide plea recommendations for violations, based on the law, nature of the violation, the criminal history of the defendant, and any other related factors; provide plea offer to Defense Counsel for the resolution of the case. Communicate with opposing counsel and witnesses via telephone, letters, e‑mail or in person as required.

Coordinate work activities with those of other departments, outside agencies, or others as needed. Attend meetings; serve on committees as needed; make speeches or presentations.

Communicate with city officials and employees, city departments, legal officials, banking officials, outside agencies, consultants, customers, the public, the media and other individuals to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction; provide legal advice to City officials upon request.

Maintain a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; maintain an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; read professional literature; maintain professional affiliations; attend workshops and training sessions.

Prepare for execution contracts and instruments to which the City is a party and approve, as to form, as needed.

May perform other duties as assigned by City Attorney.

Perform the duties of City Attorney in absence of same; perform other related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages subordinate managers and supervisors. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctor and current Georgia Bar membership required; additionally, three (3) years previous trial experience including prosecution of traffic offenses and contract law preferred; or equivalent experience and training which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess superior research and writing skills.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver’s License.

Competencies

Analytical – Collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data.

Continuous Learning – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; seeks feedback to improve performance; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; shares expertise with others.

Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

Use of Technology – Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills up to date.

Design – Generates creative solutions; demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem‑Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem‑solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Project Management – Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.

Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.

Communications – Evaluate controversial situations and present options in a clear and concise fashion. Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

Cooperation – Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co‑workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts.

Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.

Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; builds commitment and overcomes resistance; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results.

Performance Coaching – Defines responsibilities and expectations; sets goals and objectives; gives performance feedback; motivates for increased results; recognizes contributions; encourages training and development.

Team Leadership – Fosters team cooperation; defines team roles and responsibilities; supports group problem solving; ensures progress toward goals; acknowledges team accomplishments.

Delegation – Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; gives authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results.

Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.

Managing People – Includes staff in planning, decision‑making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities; makes self available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); fosters quality focus in others; improves processes, products and services; continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

Conflict Resolution – Encourages open communications; confronts difficult situations; maintains objectivity; keeps emotions under control; uses negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.

Diversity – Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment‑free environment.

Ethics – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles; upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Strategic Thinking – Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization’s strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Personal Appearance – Dresses appropriately for the position; keeps self well groomed.

Achievement Focus – Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; recognizes and acts on opportunities.

Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Initiative – Volunteers readily; undertakes self‑development activities; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains the reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision‑making process; makes timely decisions.

Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.

Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Quantity – Meets productivity standards; completes work in a timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.

Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Performance Aptitudes

Data Utilization – Requires the ability to synthesize, hypothesize, and/or theorize concerning data involving modification of existing policies, strategies and/or methods to meet unique or unusual conditions. Requires the ability to do so within the context of existing organizational theories and management principles.

Human Interaction – Requires the ability to function in a director capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization – Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude – Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.

Mathematical Aptitude – Ability to perform basic math calculations.

Situational Reasoning – Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

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 is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Albany, Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Albany, Georgia will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

#J-18808-Ljbffr