The Role
Directs and administers all legal matters for the City of Key West, advising elected officials, city staff, departments, boards, and agencies. Supervises assistant attorneys and administrative staff, manages the department budget, conducts legal research, drafts and reviews contracts and legal documents, investigates claims, and represents the City in litigation and administrative proceedings. The role also interprets city laws and ordinances and provides legal guidance on municipal matters.
Summary Generated by Built In
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Compensation Details:
- SALARY RANGE - $200,000+ Based on experience & qualifications
- GRADE – Unclassified
This position directs, coordinates, advises, and administers all legal matters concerning the City of Key West. Provides legal advice and direction to City Staff, City Commission and boards in the best interest of the City. Supervises legal staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Able to read, write, speak and understand English in order to communicate with co-workers, City officials and the general public.
- Able to work at least forty-hour work week and additional hours as required.
- Computer literate.
- Able to use equipment and/or materials as specified in this job description.
- Able to use legal research resources in researching appropriate responses to legal questions.
EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:
- Personal computer equipment with various business-related software, telephone, copy and fax machine.
ENVIRONMENT:
- Air-conditioned office environment. Various city buildings.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Standing 15%
- Reaching 10%
- Climbing 5%
- Using Stairs 5%
- Bending 5%
- Sitting 60%
DUTIES/TASKS/JOBS:
- Performs legal research, advice and direction to City Commission, City Manager, City departments, boards and agencies, consistent with the City Charter, and/or ordinances in the best interest of the City.
- Supervises activities of Assistant City Attorneys and department administrative staff.
- Serves as legal advisor in the resolution of complex legal matters.
- Investigates claims and complaints by or against City government, recommend action to be taken.
- Represents City in civil litigation, court actions and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
- Participate in City Commission and advisory board meetings.
- Explains and interprets City Charter/Ordinance/Code questions to the City Commission, City Manager, City Departments, and boards consistent with the City Charter and/or ordinances.
- Prepares, drafts or reviews, revises and approves contracts, deeds, pleadings, agreements and other legal documents for various City departments in the best interest of the entire City.
- Advises the City Staff and Commission on day-to-day legal matters.
- Performs other legal services for the City as directed by the City Commission or requested by staff.
- Responsible for department budget.
- Effectively, collaboratives, and respectfully work with every department to support our community needs.
- Reviews documents prepared by staff, revies same; reviews work of outside councel and directs same.
- Drafts and/or approves City contracts.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of City Code and Charter.
- Knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures and rules of evidence.
- Knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
- Knowledge of preparing civil law cases.
- Knowledge of analyzing and preparing a variety of legal documents, researching legal problems and preparing legal opinions.
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in an effective and comfortable manner with elected City officials, co-workers and the general public.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse backgrounds.
- Must possess J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Member of Florida Bar.
- Must possess license/certification to practice law in the State of Florida.
- Board certified in City, County, and Local Government preferred.
- Must be admitted to practice or obtain certification within twelve months of hire in front of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
- Demonstrated successful litigation experience.
- Seven or more years as a practicing attorney, with substantial experience in local government law or related fields.
In Key West, we are fortunate to live and work on a beautiful island that celebrates and honors our local heritage and cultural identity. We are proud of our core value that all people are created equal members of one human family.
Our City Manager responds to the needs of the public and staff by proactively seeking feedback while acting as a liaison among the various departments of the government, the citizens of Key West and the city commission.
We are thankful to our elected officials, visitors and residents who prove on a daily basis how important our job is to help lead the City of Key West towards a stronger and more resilient island. We look forward to you joining our team!
Skills Required
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Member of the Florida Bar
- License or certification to practice law in Florida
- Admission to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, or ability to obtain certification within twelve months of hire
- Successful litigation experience
- Seven or more years of practicing attorney experience
- Substantial experience in local government law or related fields
- Board certification in City, County, and Local Government
- Knowledge of city codes and charters
- Knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures and rules of evidence
- Knowledge of municipal legal precedents and legal reference sources
- Knowledge of preparing civil law cases
- Ability to analyze and prepare legal documents, research legal problems, and prepare legal opinions
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to establish respectful working relationships with the public, coworkers, and elected and appointed officials
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The Company
What We Do
The City of Key West is the municipal government serving residents and visitors of Key West, Florida. It operates through elected city leadership and departments that provide public services, manage city programs, communicate official information, support community needs, and administer municipal operations. The city also handles employment, public meetings, ordinances, transportation information, and other civic services across the community through its official website.
