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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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City Attorney
FLSA: Executives/1 EEO Category: (10) Official/Adm
Class Code: 11535 Salary Grade: E00
Approved: Last Revised: December 21, 2009

Purpose:
  With nominal direction, direct legal activities for the City of Austin, act as legal advisor and attorney for the City and all of its departments and plan and develop legal programs for municipal activities.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
 1.Represent the City in litigation and legal proceedings.
 2.Provide legal advice and counsel to the City Manager, department heads,  administrators and other City staff in their official capacities.
 3.Draft, approve and file legal opinions or objections to each ordinance before Council action.
 4.Review and approve all documents, contracts and legal instruments in which the City may have an interest.
 5.Review and present legal opinions to Council and the City staff on municipal activities to ensure compliance with the City Charter.
 6.Negotiate legal problems with interest groups, vendors and customers of the City, the general public and officials of the court.
 7.Attend Council meetings to provide legal advice and to maintain first hand knowledge of policies.
 8.Read and review statutes, legal opinions and other documents to maintain knowledge of local, state and federal legislation and jurisprudence affecting municipal operations, programs and activities.
 9.Prepare and approve resolutions for Council.
10.Conduct legal research.
11.Develop and approve legal contracts and agreements.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
  Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
Knowledge of civil law, judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of principles and methods of legal research.
Knowledge of municipal codes and applicable state laws and federal statutes.
Knowledge of legal references and limitations.
Knowledge of municipal organization and City Manager government.
Knowledge of municipal budgeting.
Knowledge of personnel evaluation.
Skill in analyzing facts, legal commitment and impact, precedent, organizing information and interpreting and applying legal principles to complex legal issues.
Skill in preparing and presenting written and oral legal opinions, advice and counsel.
Skill in developing and approving policies, contracts, etc.
Skill in evaluation of personnel performance.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with Council, court officials, attorneys, interest groups, vendors, customers, City employees and the general public.
Minimum Qualifications:
  Graduation from an accredited law school, plus seven years of experience as an attorney including five years of municipal experience, two of which were in an upper management legal capacity. Shall have practiced law in the State of Texas for at least five years immediately preceding appointment.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
  Admission to the Bar of the State of Texas

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.