City Attorney

City of Odessa

Odessa, TX, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Legal

Full Time

Job Description

This Position is appointed by and reports to City Council

Pay will be commensurate with experience

Summary: Under administrative direction, acts as chief legal advisor to the Mayor and Council, City Manager, and department directors; provides legal opinions and strategy, minimizes risk and liability, manages legal issues, and represents the City in administrative proceedings and legal actions.

Plans, directs, reviews, and evaluates the staff and functions of the City Attorney's Office/Legal Department (CAO), including professional civil and criminal legal work, legal counsel and education, technical and legal documents, legislative assistance, and representation before courts, boards, and administrative hearings; assures the legality of City operations, protects the legal rights of the City, and reduces liability risk.
Serves as chief legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council and City Manager; attends public meetings to provide legal advice and information, and presents findings, recommendations, and effective solutions.
Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates complex legal issues, and recommends and implements solutions to minimize risk and safeguard the City's operations.
Reviews, approves, and negotiates legal issues; assures that legal issues are resolved within City policy; reviews and evaluates City decisions, policies, regulations, claims, civil actions, and other legal matters; assures effective communication of legal issues and strategies with the City's core management team.
Manages the case preparation and resolution of litigation, negotiations, settlements, prosecutions, and other municipal legal proceedings; develops legal assessments and strategies; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine whether legal issues should be prosecuted or defended, based on the facts of law and evidence; conducts conferences with opposing parties concerning settlement of cases.
Manages civil and criminal proceedings and work products from CAO and contracted legal professionals.
Develops, renders, and reviews verbal and written opinions, legal positions, and ordinances for the City.
Monitors changes in state and federal regulations, standards, and legislation governing municipalities.
Directs, coaches, and trains staff, and evaluates performance; conducts and encourages interactive dialogue throughout the organization, and effectively addresses personnel issues in order to promote a productive and healthy work environment.
Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve assignments, priorities, workload, technical issues, and quality standards; provides leadership, direction, and guidance in legal strategies and priorities; assures that quality standards are met, and appropriate services are provided.
Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the City management team, by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
Must have and maintain a cell phone for City use to hold this position.
Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.
Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Juris Doctorate Degree is required; AND five years' experience of legal practice (municipal sector highly desirable), including experience with criminal and civil law, preferably in the state of Texas.

Knowledge of:

Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a City Attorney.
State of Texas criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
Texas judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Legal precedents and court decisions impacting municipal government.
Principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records and other data that may be used in court and legal hearings.
Legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
Principles and practices of administrative management, including personnel rules, cost accounting, budgeting, procurement, contract management, performance management, and employee supervision.
Principles and practices of legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct.
Current political and economic trends in municipal, state, and federal government.
Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.

Skill in:

Assuming executive-level responsibilities, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and making appropriate decisions, while assuring compliance with City goals and objectives.
Directing and coordinating the operations of the City Attorney's Office.
Analyzing complex legal and administrative issues, interpreting laws and regulations, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations, strategies, and operational improvements.
Litigating cases in legal hearings and courtrooms, negotiating agreements, and mediating complex issues.
Interpreting and applying criminal and civil laws to information, evidence, and other data compiled.
Investigating, analyzing, and resolving complex and sensitive issues and complaints.
Reviewing and assessing legal issues and documents.
Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
Managing and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority.
Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships and open communications with City employees, law enforcement agencies, court and justice system representatives, and advocate groups.
Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business and specialized software.
Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required. Must be a member of the State Bar of Texas, licensed to practice law in the state of Texas.

Scope of Work

Provides professional direction relating to all legal matters of the City. Oversees and provides direction to staff and assistant city attorneys.

Budgetary Responsibilities

Prepares and administers the annual department budget.

Essential Job Duties

Advises the City Council, City Manager's Office, boards, commissions, and committees of the City Council, and department heads on legal matters.
Advises on matters of municipal liability and risk management, and coordinates with insurers and department heads to minimize legal exposure.
Prepares ordinances, resolutions, contracts, development agreements, and other legal instruments considered by the City Council.
Prepares interlocal agreements.
Supervises and is ultimately responsible for the prosecution of traffic and criminal cases in the City of Odessa Municipal Court, which is a court of record.
Supervises 2 full time prosecutors.
Reviews the claims filed against the City, hires, and supervises outside legal counsel.
Represents the City in state and federal courts.
Represents the City in bankruptcy court by filing claims.
Prepares the response by the City when an employee files a claim with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Texas Human Rights Commission.
Handles the requests under the Texas Public Information Act. - 4500 requests in 2024
Serves as legal counsel for the Odessa Development Corporation which is a Type A Economic Development Corporation governed by Chapter 504 of the Texas Local Government Code.
Keeps the City Council updated on what projects can be funded by the Odessa Development Corporation.
Drafts Economic Development agreements and other legal instruments for the Odessa Development Corporation.
Drafts Chapter 380 economic development agreements, Hotel Occupancy Tax agreements.
Provides updated information on what Hotel Occupancy Tax funds can be used for.
Conducts research and keeps informed of state and federal legislation and judicial decisions affecting operation of the City.
Provides legal training to city departments on compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Coordinates the representation of the City in the Texas Legislature.
Testifies in front of various committees in the Texas Legislature.
Provides a summary of Legislation impacting municipalities after the Texas Legislature adjourns.
Works with City Council to set legislative priorities.
The City Attorney will be required to execute an employment agreement.
The City Attorney has the opportunity to hire his or her legal staff in the Civil Division.
The Council is committed to funding at least two assistant attorney positions. There are currently no assistant city attorneys in the Civil Division.
Develops and implements succession planning and mentoring for legal staff to ensure continuity of legal operations.
Knowledge and examples of working with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Attends all City Council Meeting and provides real-time legal counsel to ensure compliance with open meeting laws, parliamentary procedure, and city code.
Express an understanding and knowledge of Chapter 271 of the Texas Local Government Code.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Ability to transport self from building to building, sedentary office work.

Required Contacts

Ability to effectively communicate with the City Council, boards and commissions, the City Manager, employees, the citizens of the City of Odessa, and special groups requiring information as needed.

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