City Attorney

CITY ATTORNEY

NATURE OF WORK
Position is responsible for department level management of the City’s Legal Department; providing legal counsel, representation, advocacy and reconciliation services for the City as embodied by its City Council, City Manager, the City’s political subdivisions and utilities, boards, committees, commissions, charter departments and all other departments and operating units of the City.

SUPERVISION
Incumbent works under the administrative direction of the City Manager, rendering legal services to all City Departments. Incumbent establishes objectives, own performance standards and assumes direct accountability for department results; consults with City Manager regarding clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy. Incumbent develops and administers departmental policies, goals, objectives and budgets. Incumbent resolves department and City-wide conflicts and coordinates with others as necessary.

Incumbent has access to confidential information including personnel files, collective bargaining negotiations, lawsuits, and criminal records.

Incumbent is responsible for the supervision of five (5) full time, two (2) part time employees, and three (3) employees that work outside of the Legal office. Incumbent is responsible for the evaluation of employees and recommends hiring, firing, and discipline of employees to the City
Manager for final approval. Incumbent is required to work outside of normal business hours when needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to, or extension of, the position.

1. Advises client representatives regarding legal interpretation, principles and applicable law pertaining to pending matters so their decisions and actions may be judged as consistent with legal precedent, within the scope of their allocated authority and legally prudent. Recommends courses of conduct within this context to assist in accomplishing policy, legislative and administrative objectives.

2. Attends and speaks on behalf of the client, City of Portsmouth, in forums where City conduct is subject to legal review. Instruct client representatives regarding the critical legal nature of their positions, opinions, available alternatives, decisions, and actions. Gives and promotes the position taken by the City.

3. Researches and prepares legal opinions which have the force of law until altered by a higher legal authority. Facilitates the convergence of officials’ diverse opinions.

4. Researches, prepares, negotiates and may authorize contracts, agreements, letters or memorandums of understanding and other documents which embody the intent and understanding of the parties.

5. Maintains a current knowledge of or access to applicable law, codes, regulations or precedent by maintaining and having access to working libraries of relevant print, electronic media and other source materials.

6. Prepares and manages the legal department’s annual operating budget.

7. Determines the necessity of retaining outside counsel; supervises performance and billing of such services.

8. Organizes and provides access for those with a need to know to issue legal opinions.

9. Retains, delegates to, supervises and directs the work of subordinate staff.

10. Performs such other duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time to advise and represent the various City officials, the School Department, Police Department, employees, Council, Commissions, Boards and other entities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
A candidate for this position should have thorough knowledge of the local, state and federal laws which govern municipal operations; knowledge of legal research materials and other resources; the ability to provide consistent and timely responses to requests for legal assistance; skills in maintaining effective working relationships with customers, other personnel, superiors, subordinates and other offices and agencies; strong skills in the preparation and forceful presentation of legal opinion, written and verbal, and advocacy on behalf of the City; and strong negotiation skills and tact.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A candidate for this position must have a Juris Doctor Degree and at least five (5) years actual practice of law in the State of New Hampshire. Municipal legal advice and representation is a plus.

At least three (3) years concentrating on the representation of municipalities and municipal officials.

A candidate must have a Juris Doctorate license to practice law in the state and federal courts, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to be bonded by an insurance carrier required.

ENVIRONMENT, WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT
The level of judgment and complexity required by this position is extensive. The nature of the position is to provide advice to municipal officials so that avoidable problems do not occur and to represent those officials when unavoidable problems do happen; work involves the application of specialized legal knowledge and full understanding of municipal operations; analysis and application of state, federal and local laws to municipal operations such as hiring; contracting, law enforcement, municipal regulation, and education.

Position requires frequent contact with the public, both during work hours and otherwise, responding to inquiries in writing, orally, in person and media. On a daily basis, this position involves constant contact with every department of the municipal government as well as outside organizations.

Work is performed in an open office setting which can be somewhat noisy, outside in all weather conditions, at field locations, and inside vehicles. Current position includes some limited physical requirements including: transporting documentation, reports, and office supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

(The above descriptions are illustrative. They are intended as guides for personnel actions and are not complete itemizations of all facets of any job)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $105,027.43 - $127,661.50 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Law practice: 5 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• New Hampshire Bar (Required)

Work Location: One location