Description
To learn more about this exceptional opportunity and discover what makes the City of Delaware a remarkable place to serve, please view the informational brochure here.
You can do great work and love what you do with the City of Delaware. We are an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and the innovative spirit of all our employees. The City of Delaware is an award-winning local government organization known for its professionalism, customer service orientation and a strong commitment to distinctive and well-planned community development. The work environment is stable with excellent benefits and retirement packages. Our mission is to ensure an effective government, a healthy economy, being a safe city and welcoming you to be a part of this great community!
Under the direction of the City Manager, the City Attorney serves as chief legal counsel and advisor for the City and for City officials and departments in all matters relating to their official duties and authorities. This position coordinates and implements all activities involving municipal legal affairs, including supervision of assigned employees. Position requires regular and reliable attendance.
Essential Functions: For purposes of 42 USC 12101
Manages and supervises all assigned employees (e.g., assigns tasks; interviews job applicants; recommends the hiring of job applicants; recommends discipline; recommends pay assignments; evaluates performance; receives grievances or employee complaints; approves and recommends the approval of leave requests; attends or participates in meetings in which policy questions are reviewed or discussed; develops and implements policy; recommends policy changes; participates in personnel or labor relations activities; has access to other employees’ personnel files.
Provides legal services and counsel to City administration, City Council and all commissions and boards of the City.
Provides guidance and direction for City ordinances and codes, regulations, and standards, and ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local law.
Prosecutes or defends all civil suits or cases in which the City may be a party and supervise ongoing litigation.
Prepares, approves, and advises on the legality of all contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other agreements which involve the City.
Attends all City Council meetings (most occurring in the evening hours) and serves as Parliamentarian; attends City management meetings, board and commission meetings as required and discussions with City, County, State and Federal officials and other governmental officials. Serves as counsel of record for the City in legal and administrative proceedings. Serves as liaison with external legal counsel.
Prepares reports, documentation, and legal opinions in preparation for or as a result of meetings and discussions.
Assists in labor negotiations with employee bargaining units and providing legal opinions and direction for human resources matters.
Reviews, coordinates responses, and responds to City public records requests.
Provides supervision and direction of the City prosecutorial staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge
Budgeting.
Interviewing.
Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, Sharepoint, OneNote, and Teams) and other computer software.
City and Department goals and objectives.
City and Department policies and procedures.
Government structure and process.
Supervisory principles and practices.
Standard office procedures.
Municipal government’s function and the Council-Manager form of government.
“Home Rule”.
Title VII of the Ohio Revised Code (law relating to municipal corporations).
Other Federal, State, and local laws impacting local government operations.
Codified Ordinances of the City of Delaware.
Collective bargaining rules and regulations.
Standard legal research.
Rules of fair and orderly public meetings.
Conflict Resolution
Skills
Excellent organization, attention to detail, accuracy, time management, and critical thinking skills.
Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Civic engagement and customer service.
Meeting critical deadlines.
Negotiation and mediation techniques.
Legal research.
Trial and litigation.
High level of proficiency in the City of Delaware's leadership behaviors: strategic, problem solving, customer service, integrity, teamwork, empowerment, flexibility, cooperation, action oriented and time management.
Abilities
Apply management principles to solve problems.
Supervise, organize, and direct the work of subordinate personnel.
Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations.
Deal with many variables, define and solve problems, collect, analyze and interpret data, establish facts and determine specific action, evaluate and improve process and/or program efficiency / effectiveness.
Maintain a high level of confidentiality about information within the office.
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Prepare correspondence.
Compile and prepare reports.
Understand and follow written and oral instructions, policies, and procedures.
Be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
Maintain effective working relationships.
Communicate effectively, both in oral and written form and to prepare and present effective public presentations.
Exercise independent judgement and discretion.
Work in a professional office environment.
Interpret and advise on the application of policies, procedures, and standards.
Translate legal terms and documents.
Render legal opinions that are clear and understandable.
Prepare and conduct litigation.
Conduct research and prepare detailed reports, correspondence, and legal documents.
Negotiate contracts.
Manage the work of others including employees and outside consultants.
Manage multiple tasks and balance priorities.
Respond immediately in crisis situations.
Maintain personal composure tactfully handling difficult situations.
Spot Issues.
Analyze facts/information.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Requirements
Majority of work is performed in an office environment or courtroom where the physical demands require sitting and standing for extended periods of time; frequent use of computers and standard office equipment; work is performed under stress of deadlines.
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively with others in person, in a courtroom, in large meeting spaces, over the telephone, or through video conferencing platforms.
Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written materials on a computer for extended periods of time.
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and computer systems.
Sufficient ability and strength to lift, carry, or otherwise move objects up to ten (10) pounds for varying distances.
Equipment Operated
Computer, copier, phone, and other standard/modern office equipment; computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office and other applicable computer software).
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, and a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
- Attorney-at-law in good standing and duly authorized to practice of law in the State of Ohio; federal license is desirable.
- Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in municipal legal affairs.
- Any combination of training and experience which will indicate the possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed.
