Deputy City Attorney

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, performs professional legal work in representing the City in civil cases heard in the courts and all proceedings before boards and commissions. Reports to the City Attorney.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides legal advice and gives legal opinions to City officials and other personnel. Prepares and files pleadings, motions, interrogatories and other legal documents. Represents the City in State and Federal court and before state and federal administrative agencies in the following areas: VEC, EEO, Workers Compensation, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and Grievance filings. Writes correspondence, conducts legal research, and writes briefs and memorandum of law. Drafts ordinances and resolutions. Reviews, revises, and approves proposed ordinances, contracts, polices, procedures, and other documents for legal sufficiency. Negotiates, reviews and drafts agreements, settlement agreements, compromise settlement agreements, lump sum agreements and releases. Reviews, provides comments and input, proposes changes and approves City policies which are mandated by federal and State law, or which have legal consequences. Attends all City Council meetings. Attends various city meetings as legal counsel. Reviews proposed legislation of the Virginia General Assembly. Drafts proposed legislation that is beneficial to the City. Drafts correspondence for Mayor, City Manager, and other officials. Advises City Department Heads and other senior staff with regards to matters that may have a legal impact. Advises and serves as legal representative at designated city boards, commissions, and meetings. Files pleadings and other documents at courthouse and various commissions. Reviews books/research materials for departmental library. Responds to citizens' complaints and requests for information. As directed, assists the with preparation of the office budget and assumes the duties of the City Attorney including providing legal advice directly to the Mayor and members of Council and supervises all personnel in the Office of the City Attorney the absence of the City Attorney. Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge of Job:

Has thorough knowledge of Virginia law pertaining to the operations, authorities and responsibilities of municipal government. Has thorough knowledge of the principles and procedures of civil law , especially as related to municipal government. Has thorough knowledge of municipal government structure and operations. Has considerable knowledge of statutory provisions applying to rules of order. Has considerable knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, judicial procedure, and rules of evidence. Has general knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of municipal law. Is skilled in legal writing. Is able to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research . Is able to direct and supervise support staff. Is able to effectively express ideas orally and in writing. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments .

Quality of Work:

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities . Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility . Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all City departments and divisions, co- workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work:

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Specific Duties and Responsibilities."

Dependability :

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives , City policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas .

Attendance:

Attends work regularly and adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness . P rovides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests .

Initiative and Enthusiasm:

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction .

Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations . Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e. , poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the City. Relationships with

Others :

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and City benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all City employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the City and project a good City image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the City. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, City Attorney, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work:

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping :

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the City and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Planning:

Plans, directs and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of the department. Knows and understands the expectations of the City regarding the activities of the City Manager and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the City Council. Within the constraints of City policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving City objectives.

Organizing:

Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and feel that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all City and department matters affecting them and/or of concern to them.

Staffing:

Works with other City officials and management to select and recommend employment of personnel for the City who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the department and the City. Personally directs the development and training of department personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.

Leading:

Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of department goals and objectives.

Controlling:

Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, audits and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of City standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating:

Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet department goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making:

Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the department. When a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity:

Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of the department. Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not adverse to change.

Human Relations:

Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation:

Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of City policies regarding the department and City function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation:

Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the City and continually reviews division policies in order to ensure that any changes in City philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited school of law and 7 to 10 years of experience in the practice of law; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Prior experience in municipal law is highly desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Licensed by the Virginia State Bar to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar is required. Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Virginia and Federal District Court. Requires a valid driver's license. An acceptable general background check to include a local, state and federal criminal history check.

Physical Requirements :

Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment including computers, copiers, facsimile machines, etc. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involving sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for periods of time.

Data Conception :

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication :

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.

Language Ability :

Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, invoices, tax statements, letters and memos, records etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, letters, memos, reports, legal briefs, ordinances, motions etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence :

Requires the ability to understand the meaning, relationships and principles of symbols, formulas, and concepts; to develop methods and procedures for problem solving; to present solutions in logical and systematic forms and sequences.

Verbal Aptitude :

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and personnel terminology.

Numerical Aptitude :

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages and interpret graphs.

Form/Spatial Aptitude :

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination :

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity :

Requires the ability to handle items such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination :

Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament :

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication :

Requires the ability to talk and hear: (

Talking:

expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words.

Hearing:

perceiving nature of sounds by ear.)

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

(ADA)

REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations. This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

FLSA Status:

Exempt EEO Cat:

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