Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position: Deputy City Attorney

Job Type: Full Time

Posting Type: Public

Number of Vacancies: 1

Department: City Attorney

Division: City Attorney

Requisition Number: 2023516P

Number of hours worked per week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Work Site Location: 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA

Position Driving Requirement: O - Occasional

Pay Grade: GE26

Pay Basis: Semi-Monthly

Advertised Salary: $109,244 minimum (salary commensurate with experience)

Job Description:

Are you a professional looking to serve the community? Join our team! The City of Chesapeake is seeking an experienced individual to fill the role of Deputy City Attorney. The successful candidate will assist the City Attorney in overseeing departmental operations and provide a wide range of legal services for the City of Chesapeake. The position is responsible for staff supervision, providing legal advice to all departments, boards and commissions, preparing legal documents, analyzing policy issues, and managing cases for trial. The selected candidate will assume the duties of the City Attorney when he/she is absent, which include attending City Council meetings and providing legal advice directly to the Mayor and the members of City Council. This position will supervise the City Attorney’s Office in the absence of, and otherwise to the extent requested by, the City Attorney. The position works within broad policy and organizational guidelines; independently plans and implements projects; and reports progress of major activities through periodic conferences and meetings.

Typical Tasks:

• Assumes the duties of the City Attorney in his absence including attending City Council meetings, providing legal advice directly to the Mayor and members of the City Council, and supervising all personnel in the Office of the City Attorney.
• Provides legal advice on complex issues to departments and agencies of the City; provides oral and written legal opinions.
• Drafts ordinances, contracts, petitions, motions, orders, resolutions, leases, and other legal documents.
• Reviews, revises, and approves proposed ordinances, contracts, policies, procedures, and other documents for legal sufficiency.
• Prepares cases for trial by researching the law, interviewing and preparing witnesses, and examining evidence.
• Provides specific legal guidance and representation to City staff in ongoing matters before the court and administrative and regulatory bodies.
• Participates in mediation and pre-trial settlement conferences and makes recommendations to the City Attorney regarding proposed resolution of disputes.
• Oversees case management and attorney assignments.
• Attends the General Assembly as a legal lobbyist and monitors and comments upon all bills that may affect the affairs of the City.
• Attends citizen meetings for purposes of responding to legal questions and providing legal explanation of City programs and issues.
• Assists the City Attorney in administrative investigations concerning matters of concern to the City Council and the City Manager.
• Oversees the work product of, and provides guidance and training to, assistant city attorneys. · Attends staff, commission, Council, Board, and other professional meetings to exchange information or provide legal counsel.
• Works on special projects relating to major transportation improvements, public-private partnerships and other matters involving large investments of public funds.
• Analyzes and implements public policies as may be developed by the City Council.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Vocational/Educational Requirement: Requires a juris doctorate degree or equivalent training/education.
Experience Requirement: In addition to satisfying the vocational/educational standard, this class requires a minimum of six years of related, full-time experience in the practice of local government law or equivalent experience.
Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Requires a Commonwealth of Virginia Law License, or eligibility for membership in the Virginia Bar.
• Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City’s Driving Standards.

Special Requirements: Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications: None

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date: 12/20/23

Job Close Date: 02/23/2024

Open Continuous: No

Special Instructions to Applicants: Please provide a legal writing sample with your applications materials. The City of Chesapeake offers an exception range of benefits. Please browse ourBenefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.