Salary: $113,089.60 - $175,302.00 Annually
Location : Coconut Creek, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-43
Department: City Attorney
Opening Date: 05/20/2024
Closing Date: 6/17/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Description

The City of Coconut Creek has been spotlighted as one of the "Best Cities to Live in America" by Money Magazine and a Top Ten Place to Live in Florida by Movoto and NerdWallet. We've been awarded the Honorable Culture of Well-Being by Cigna and ranked #7 Healthiest Employer to Work For in the medium-sized company category by South Florida Business Journal. Our City is home to the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Butterfly World, and the Coconut Creek Promenade. Every one of our business owners and 58,000 residents rely on our awesome 450 employees. Are you ready to be one of us?

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and serving the public; if you are innovative, progressive, dedicated, and looking for a workplace where you belong, consider applying to join our Coconut Creek family.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Performs work as a recognized subject matter expert in the City Attorney's office. Provides legal advice and counsel to the City Commission, City Manager, City Staff, and City Advisory Boards. The work includes review and/or preparation of routine legal documents and preparation of legal opinions. Responsibilities include representation of various departments in litigation and/or administrative proceedings, as well as assisting the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with more difficult and complex questions and problems. Work is performed under general direction of the City Attorney with significant latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. Position requires a high level of critical thinking and ingenuity in bringing successful resolution to unusually complex and strategic situations and issues.
Hours of Work: Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Hours are subject to change
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Advises the City Commission, City Manager, City staff, and City boards as may be required, relative to legal matters affecting the City.
• Attends City Commission meetings and workshops, Planning and Zoning Board meetings and other Advisory Board meetings as needed.
• Conducts investigations and interviews based upon alleged or potential legal problems of a routine nature, and prepares reports or opinions based upon findings made.
• Reviews leases and contracts.
• Prepares legal opinions, drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents Represents various departments in matters which do not require the professional services of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.
• Responds to and resolves sensitive and complex inquiries and complaints including: responding to requests of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney, City Manager, and elected officials for information and interpretation.
• May present issues to the City Commission as needed or directed by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.
• Assists City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with the preparation of legal opinions regarding more complex legal questions.
• Assists with the preparation and defense of all civil cases involving the City including preparation of initial pleadings, discovery documents, motions and other litigation documents as needed; reviews claims and complaints by or against the City; works with other legal specialists hired by the City for special and/or complex cases.
• Assists the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with conducting legal research concerning complex problems or projects and prepares reports, memoranda and draft opinions containing proposed or recommended courses of action or solutions.
• Assists the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney with providing guidance to and reviewing the work of other attorneys retained by the City; enforces and makes recommendations regarding city policies and procedures.
• Meets with elected officials, department heads, staff, and the public as needed.
• May be designated as Acting City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney.
• Hands on selection of and guidance of Law School Interns.
• Performs other related duties and functions as may be assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Juris doctor degree from an accredited school of law; supplemented by five (5) or more years' experience practicing in the area of City, County, and Local Government law or related field preferably in the State of Florida. Related field includes: land use/zoning, labor and employment, real estate, litigation/ trial experience, eminent domain, procurement/public finance, public records/ Sunshine law, and/or workers' compensation/ personal injury law. Board certification in City, County, and Local Government law is preferred, but not required. Must be an attorney at law in good standing in Florida and possess a license to practice law in the state of Florida.
*The City reserves the right to consider alternate combinations of education, certification, training, and/or experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research (Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis).
• Considerable knowledge of the local, state, and federal statutory law.
• Skill in conducting research on complex legal issues and preparing sound legal opinions.
• Skill in Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel).
• Ability to effectively provide legal advice to City elected officials, department heads, and staff in multiple areas.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal principles and precedents in resolving complex legal problems.
• Ability to multi-task while working with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Ability to analyze and define problems, identify alternative solutions, estimate consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to organize work for timely completion.
• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule.
• Ability to conduct trials, hearings, and proceedings, and organize and prepare cases for litigation.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 20 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Tasks are regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances.
SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
Some tasks require manual dexterity, in addition to visual and hearing acuity.
Eligibility List Criteria: An eligibility list, which shall be valid for a maximum of six months, shall be formed based on applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Candidates on the eligibility list will be given consideration for each vacancy. Veterans Preference shall be awarded, pursuant to Florida Statutes.
APPLICANT SELECTED FOR HIRE MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS PHYSICAL AND BACKGROUND CHECK
NOTE TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: Applicants with disabilities who will need special accommodations for testing must advise Human Resources not later than one (1) week prior to scheduled testing, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
CITY OF COCONUT CREEK
BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
HOLIDAYS - 10 paid full-day holidays and 2 paid half-day (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) holidays per year.
PERSONAL LEAVE - 16 hours/year (prorated the first year of employment based on hire date); does not roll over.
JOB BASIS LEAVE - 80 hours/year (prorated the first year of employment based on hire date); does not roll over.
VACATION LEAVE - Employees earn vacation leave from the date of hire based on the following schedule:

• < 1 year of service: .0385 hours per each regular paid hour (80 hrs./yr.)
• 1 years of service: 0577 hours per each regular paid hour (120 hrs./yr.)
• 3 years of service: .0770 hours per each regular paid hour (160 hrs./yr.)
• 5 years of service: .0962 hours per each regular paid hour (200 hrs./yr.)
• 10 years of service: .1154 hours per each regular paid hour (240 hrs./yr.)

Maximum accumulation is 280 hours as of the last day of the pay period including November 1 each year, with up to 80 excess hours payable per year.
SICK LEAVE - Employees earn 0.0462 hours of sick leave for each hour of regular paid service. Accumulations in excess of 520 hours are paid out annually at a 50%, 75%, or 100% conversion rate depending on years of service.
GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAM
For each employee, the City pays the premiums for $20,000 Basic Life insurance, $20,000 AD&D, and Long and Short-Term Disability, and contributes towards the total premium for medical insurance. For employees selecting the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), employee-only medical insurance coverage is paid 100% by the City's contribution. Most employees who enroll in the City's HDHP are eligible to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA). For those selecting a medical plan with higher premiums, dependent coverage, and/or optional benefits, employee contributions are made through bi-weekly payroll deduction. Eligibility for coverage is the first of the month following thirty (30) days of full time employment.
Proof of medical coverage is required for full-time City employees. However, employees may opt-out of the City's group medical insurance and receive a pre-determined dollar amount paid bi-weekly through payroll. The City's insurance program includes a Section 125 Program, which allows eligible employees to pay for medical and dental insurance, dependent health coverage, HSA Contributions (if eligible), additional life insurance, some AFLAC policies, etc., and any other eligible insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars, and/or set aside pre-tax dollars for unreimbursed medical, dependent or elder care. Certain optional benefits, such as Legal Shield, Identity Shield, certain amounts of life insurance and some AFLAC plans, must be paid on a post-tax basis. All payments are made bi-weekly by payroll deduction. Changes to selections may only be made during qualifying periods.
PENSION/RETIREMENT PLAN
The City participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), which offers a choice of either a Pension Plan (defined benefit) or an Investment Plan (defined contribution). The City contributes an amount to the selected plan that is determined by Florida State Legislature. In addition, employees make a bi-weekly mandatory 3% contribution through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. The Pension Plan benefit is determined by multiplying 1.6%* times the years of FRS service times the average final compensation based on the employee's highest paid five (5) or eight (8) years* of salary. The Investment Plan benefit is based on the performance of selected funds over time. Employees in the Pension Plan are vested after six (6) or eight (8) years of service*; vesting is after one (1) year of service for the Investment Plan. Normal Retirement for the Pension Plan is age 65 with six (6) or eight (8) years of service or 33 years of service at any age, whichever occurs first. Early Retirement is any age after six (6) or eight (8) years*, but less than 33 years of service. (There is a penalty of 5% per year under age 65.) There is no age requirement that must be met to receive a benefit under the Investment Plan, provided the one (1) year vesting requirement has been met.
*Please Note: If you have recently retired from FRS, please check the FRS website at to review the provision pertaining to re-employment restrictions.
*Age and years of service for vesting, highest average compensation, normal retirement, and early retirement requirements are lower for those enrolled in FRS prior to July 1, 2011. Please refer to the FRS Pension Plan Member Handbook for additional information.
Employees may also make voluntary contributions to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan or Roth IRA Plans with ICMA-RC, up to the annual limit as defined by the IRS.
RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN
The Retirement Health Savings (RHS) Program is an employer-sponsored program designed to assist public sector employees pay for health care expenses during retirement. The City contributes 1% of the employee's taxable income into an RHS account. No contributions are made by the employee. Earnings are tax-deferred, and upon separation from City service, tax-free withdrawals may be made when used for reimbursement of qualified health care expenses.
LONGEVITY PAY - Employees are eligible for an annual lump sum longevity payment as follows:

• Upon completion of five (5) through nine (9) years of service: $500
• Upon completion of ten (10) through fourteen (14) years of service: $1,000
• Upon completion of fifteen (15) through nineteen (19) years of service: $1,500
• Upon completion of twenty (20) years of service: $2,000

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Employees who have completed their one (1) year probationary period are eligible to participate in the Tuition Reimbursement Program. With approval of the course(s) and subject to availability of funds, employees may be eligible for reimbursement of 100% for a grade of A, 75% for a grade of B, and 50% for a grade of C. The maximum tuition reimbursement available to any employee shall be the equivalent of (18) credit hours per fiscal year at either the State of Florida community college level or the State of Florida university level.
PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE
Employees are eligible for up to 5% pay-for-performance compensation, based upon their annual evaluation, provided said compensation is approved and funded in the city's adopted budget.

DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
The City offers a variety of discount programs. The following are some areas for available discounts: Healthy Meals, Health Services, Banking / Financial; Cellular / Data and Computer Services, Entertainment, Retail and Travel.
WELLNESS PROGRAMS
The City of Coconut Creek offers a wide variety of wellness initiatives and programs. Some of these initiatives and programs are: Weight Watcher's at Work, Walking Challenges, Wellness Warrior Reimbursement Program, Annual Wellness Fair, several wellness preventive screenings, flu shots, and mammogram wellness screenings. The City is always looking for new ways to improve the overall health and wellness of its employees.
Please note, the benefits listed above are subject to change. Full descriptions of each benefit listed may be found in the City's Code of Ordinances, Administrative Orders, applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement, on the employee portal or by contacting Human Resources and Risk Management at 954-973-6715 or hr@coconutcreek.net.
01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a Juris doctor degree from an accredited school of law? Note: A copy of transcript/degree must be submitted with your application.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a license to practice law in the State of Florida?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you an attorney at law in good standing in Florida?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of professional experience do you possess practicing in the area of City, County, and Local Government law or related field?

• Less than 5 years of experience
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years of experience
• At least 7 years but less than 10 years of experience
• 10 or more years of experience

06

Please explain where/when experience was obtained. (Must be supported by employment history as detailed on employment application; subject to verification.)
07

Legal Experience: Please select all areas of the law in which you have at least five (5) years of professional experience and strong working knowledge (subject to verification):

• City, County, or Local Government within Florida
• City, County, or Local Government outside of Florida
• Land use/zoning
• Labor and employment
• Real estate
• Litigation/ trial
• Eminent Domain
• Procurement/ Public Finance
• Public Records / Sunshine Law
• Workers' Compensation/ Personal Injury
• None of the above

08

Are you Florida Bar Board Certified in City, County and Local Government Law? (Preferred)

• Yes
• No

09

Are you Florida Bar Board Certified in any field other than City, County, and Local Government Law?

• Yes
• No

10

I possess knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research (Westlaw and/or LexisNexis).

• Yes
• No

11

Please select all productivity software programs in which you possess skill and proficiency:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Adobe

12

Describe why you desire employment in this position. Please also state any additional information you feel may be helpful to us in considering your application.
13

I understand and meet all of the requirements of the position(s), (including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical requirements), and I am able to perform the essential functions of the position(s), with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Yes
• No

14

I understand that as a Job Requirement, all applicants for the Assistant City Attorney position must submit a completed application, must be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, and must be in good standing with the Florida Bar. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for immediate disqualification. *Please Note: The submission of a resume is required and cover letters are encouraged.

• Yes
• No

Required Question