The position of City Attorney serves as in-house legal counsel and provides confidential and professional legal work of a highly complex nature for the City of Beckley. This position actively supports and upholds the city’s stated mission and values. This position is responsible for research and drafting ordinances and legal memoranda, enforcement of ordinances and statutes, prosecution of misdemeanors in City Court, and defending the city in state and federal court. This position is responsible for researching, rendering opinions and advice, and writing briefs and memoranda on a wide range of civil and enforcement matters that relate to municipal government and to the City of Beckley. The City Attorney is responsible for providing legal representation in the areas of labor, human resources, code enforcement, utilities, police, fire, finance and taxation, recreation, public works, housing, purchasing, engineering, real property, land use and zoning, and other areas of municipal law. The City Attorney reviews policies and personnel actions for compliance with legal requirements. This position provides legal advice, reviews documents, drafts, and contracts. This position also directs and provides legal counsel and advice to the Mayor, City Manager, City Council, as well as advice to boards and commissions established by the City of Beckley. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with the public, co-workers, and departments. The City Attorney is required by City Charter to be a citizen of the City, and a member in good standing of the WV State Bar Association.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
- City Attorney is responsible for drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, rules, regulations, and other legal documents;
- Reviews the legality and/or sufficiency of contracts, bonds, bids, leases, insurance coverage, and claims involving the City;
- Responsible for City’s real estate transactions, including the preparation of title opinions, deeds and real estate closing documents;
- Responsible for civil litigation involving the city including, but not limited to, condemnation proceedings, damage claims, eminent domain proceedings, civil rights violations, employment discrimination, prohibited conduct, and related issues;
- Attends meetings of City Council and certain other Boards and Commissions (ie. Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Sanitary Board);
- Serves as City of Beckley’s Prosecuting Attorney in Municipal Court;
- Renders written legal opinions on matters relating to municipal government;
- Responsible for ensuring that the City Administration and City departments are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, as well as city policies and procedures;
- Provides legal counsel for the City Administration and City departments;
- Provides legal advice to City Council;
- Answers communications from the public concerning municipal ordinances and legal matters pertaining to the City of Beckley;
- Manages responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests;
- Demonstrates a high level of ethical standards and professionalism;
- Possesses the ability to work cooperatively with all team members to support goals and objectives of City;
- Proficient in use of computers;
- Possesses a valid WV driver’s license;
- This position requires occasional travel for the City of Beckley, and requires occasional work on evenings and weekends;
- Other duties, as assigned.
Other Duties
Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. The City of Beckley/City Hall reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities at any time, with or without notice.
Competencies
- Customer Service Skills
- Accuracy
- Confidentiality
- Ethical Conduct
- Personal Effectiveness / Credibility
- Initiative
- Technology / Computer Proficiency
- Organizational Skills
- Thoroughness
- Time Management Skills
- Technical Capacity
- Communication Proficiency
- Cooperation – the ability to work well with others
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment
This position is routinely set in an office environment. This position routinely uses standard office equipment that includes but is not limited to: calculators, computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, fax machines, and scanners.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- This position is routinely set in an office environment. The employee is regularly required to walk, talk, and hear;
- This position requires extended periods of sitting;
- This position requires lifting, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and repetitive computer data entry;
- Employee must be able to lift twenty-five (25) pounds;
- This position requires the use of hands/fingers to handle, feel, and manipulate keys on a keyboard;
- Employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with arms and hands;
- Vision abilities required by this position require close vision and the visual acuity to process reports.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Employee may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Travel
This position may require occasional travel for training and/or professional development. This position requires travel within the City of Beckley, Raleigh County, and any other travel to be determined.
Required Education and Experience
- This position requires excellent communication and customer service skills;
- Juris Doctor Degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association;
- This position requires three (3) years’ experience in an active law office setting;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and Outlook;
- Strong attention to detail, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to multi-task;
- Strong analytical skills;
- Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in work product;
- Balance long-term and short-term goals; identify and set priorities;
- Exercise seasoned management and political acumen, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with complex, sensitive, and confidential issues;
- Clear experience in the successful management of multiple and changing deadlines;
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations;
- Experience in municipal government including through knowledge and understanding of the City Charter, and city codes and ordinances.
- Experience in both criminal and civil cases.
Preferred Education and Experience
- This position requires excellent communication skills and customer service skills;
- The preferred education for this position is Juris Doctor Degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association with a specialization in city or related government law;
- This position requires eight (8) years of increasing responsibility-related experience, or any equivalent combination or related education and experience;
- The preferred experience for this position includes familiarity with City of Beckley ordinances, rules, and regulations;
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the City Charter, and city codes and ordinances.
Safety and Equipment
Employee will follow established safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment and supplies. Employee will clean and store equipment properly, when needed per policy.
