Assistant City Attorney I - (Transactional and Legislative)

The City of Miami Beach Office of the City Attorney is seeking a skilled and motivated attorney to join its team in a transactional and legislative capacity. The successful candidate will provide legal support across various City departments, draft and review contracts, ordinances, and resolutions, and offer guidance on a wide range of municipal legal matters.

• Draft and review a variety of transactional documents, including service agreements, professional services contracts, leases, license agreements, easements, restrictive covenants, indemnification agreements, grant and settlement agreements, procurement and construction-related documents, and other legal instruments.
• Prepare and review ordinances and resolutions for the Mayor and City Commission; review legislative items submitted by City departments. 
• Advise City staff on compliance with the Sunshine Law and Florida Public Records Act. 
• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on issues related to municipal law. 
• Provide legal counsel to departments such as Housing, Parks and Recreation, Tourism and Culture, Economic Development, Communications, Grants, Public Works, Capital Improvement Projects, Information Technology, Sustainability, and Human Resources, primarily on transactional matters. 
• Serve as legal liaison to one or more City Commission committees or advisory boards.

• Knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, municipal codes and charters, as well as applicable state and federal laws, regulations, case law, and other legal frameworks governing municipal government operations and government procurement. 
• Proficiency in legal research, analysis, and communication. 
• Familiarity with public records laws and open government requirements. 
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues, assess risks, and provide sound legal recommendations. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal concepts to non-legal audiences. 
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain neutrality in politically sensitive matters. 
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and diplomacy.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. 
• Membership in good standing with the Florida Bar. 
• 2-4 years of experience in transactional law and/or legislative drafting. 
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is typically performed in office, courtroom, and meeting room settings. 
• Must be able to sit, stand, or stoop intermittently and occasionally lift light objects. 
• Requires effective use of sensory skills for communication and operation of standard office equipment. 

Supervision:

• Received: Work is assigned based on departmental goals and reviewed through reports, meetings, and performance observations. 
• Exercised: This position does not supervise others. 

General Expectations:

• Maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, colleagues, vendors, and the public. 
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity in accordance with City, County, and State policies. 
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Report to work as directed during emergencies as an essential city employee.  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, coworkers, the press the general public and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, gender identity or sexual orientation. 
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of all city ethics and conflicts of interest policies. Strong understanding of ethical behavior is required.  
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.  
• Performs related work as required.  
• Reports to work as directed during an emergency as an essential employee of the City of Miami Beach.

For all technical, professional, supervisory and managerial positions:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop innovative and creative solutions to issues consistent with the City’s strategic plan.

Applicants must detail any related work experience on the application or risk disqualification.  It is the applicant's responsibility to update their NEOGOV profile with work experience, education, certifications and personal contact information when submitting each application, failure to do so will result in ineligibility.  City of Miami Beach employees must reflect their current position and detail their work experience on the application to avoid being disqualified.
 
Veterans Preference:  Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (either Member 2 or Member 4), as well as the final Department of Defense Disability Letter (dated within one year) must be submitted with the application.