City Attorney

Job Description:

City Attorney

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE, FL INVITES YOUR INTEREST FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY

Please note that the position requirements have been updated, and the new criteria are outlined below.
Welcome to the City of Fort Lauderdale. Click on the link below for more details on this exciting opportunity: https://ftlcity.info/cityattorney

The City is seeking an outstanding leader to head up the City Attorney’s Office. This legal mind will have the vision and skills to take the City Attorney's Office to the next level. They will partner with the members of the City Commission and City staff to solve problems while being a supporter and a trusted advisor. The ideal candidate will be extraordinarily responsive with a "can do" attitude.

The individual will thrive on solving problems strategically. No surprises will be the rule, not the exception. They will understand the political environment but not be involved in it. A key to success will be regular communication with the City Commission, the City Manager, and City staff.

Personally, the individual will be honest, ethical, very intelligent, upbeat, outgoing, hardworking, organized, flexible, congenial, and progressive. The ideal candidate will remain calm in the face of adversity and will be quick to think and act reasonably and responsibly. They will believe strongly in transparency and apply it to the degree it is wise to do so.
The City Attorney’s Office is a Charter Office of the City and serves as legal advisor to, and attorney and counselor for, the City and all of its officers in matters relating to their official duties. The City Attorney is responsible for prosecuting offenders against the ordinances of the City of Fort Lauderdale. The City Attorney is responsible for all legal matters related to the City of Fort Lauderdale, interacts with all City departments, and provides legal advice and direction to the City Commission, boards and committees, City Manager, Department Heads and other officials in the best interest of the City. The City Attorney plans, coordinates, manages, supervises and oversees the activities and operations for administrative and or technical operations of the City Attorney’s Office and heads major initiatives and special projects as directed by the City Commission. Direct reports include 31 FTE positions. The Department is supported with a FY 2025 Adopted Budget of $7,805,557.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience. The salary is negotiable, but is expected to be in the high $200,000 range. The City provides a generous benefits program, including health, dental, life insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City of Fort Lauderdale participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option and requires a 3% contribution from employees. New hires are automatically enrolled in FRS.

Please Note: This position is not subject to Civil Service Rules or any collective bargaining agreement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

A summary of the responsibilities of the City Attorney’s Office includes the following essential functions, which are the basic job duties that this Charter Officer must be able to perform or supervise, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude the City Commission from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position. The following represents functions and areas of expertise the City Attorney is responsible for participating in, directing, and/or supervising:

• Serves as the chief advisor to the City Commission, City Manager, employees, and boards and committees created by the City Commission
• Oversees negotiation and drafting of terms and conditions of contracts and agreements
• Oversees the preparation and administration of the City Attorney’s Office budget.
• Participates in and supervises the preparation of cases for trial, briefs, memoranda of law, pleadings and discovery relating thereto, and advises investigators and keeps the City Commission informed of the progress of litigation
• Participates in and supervises the preparation of appellate actions
• Responsible for overseeing the City’s representation in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, ordinance and resolution drafting and advising various boards/committees
• Attends and presides at City Commission meetings and other meetings as assigned
• Oversees the review of collective bargaining proposals and contracts for negotiation and may provide advice on the legality of same
• Oversees the prosecution of City ordinance violations
• Oversees the preparation of proposed legislation and recommendations to repeal or amend existing ordinances
• Directs the work for and supervises Deputy/Assistant City Attorneys, Paralegals and Administrative Assistants as well as outside counsel
• Supervises Deputy/Assistant City Attorneys in representing the City’s interests before various City boards such as Planning & Zoning Board, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Board, Special Magistrate, Code Enforcement Board and Civil Service Board
• Remains aware of evolving technological factors affecting the workplace and legal landscape
• Participates in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as a member of the City’s Policy Group or assign a designee as needed.
• Additional required duties as outlined in Section 4.12 of the Charter of the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Exercises and performs additional duties as the City Commission may deem necessary and appropriate, provided it is not inconsistent with the Charter
• Performs related work as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The City Attorney must be licensed to practice law in the State of Florida in accordance with The Florida Bar.Two years of experience practicing law.

HOW TO APPLY/ VETERAN INFORMATION

To be considered, please apply online through the City of Fort Lauderdale Career Page .

By applying for the position of City Attorney, applicants acknowledge that they are subject to Florida's Sunshine Laws, which ensure transparency in government operations. As such, all applications and related materials are considered public records and may be disclosed upon request in accordance with state law.

Applications will be reviewed, and the selection committee will reach out to applicants whose qualifications best align with the requirements of the position.

Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; interview; employment record, and background check. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, inclusive employer and Drug Free Workplace. The City of Fort Lauderdale does not discriminate based on age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Veterans' preference per Florida law.



The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.

Click here for an overview of employment information including our benefits package.

Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan!Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale. Click here for more information or to see if you qualify.

In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City of Fort Lauderdale participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option and requires a 3% contribution from employees. All new City of Fort Lauderdale employees are automatically enrolled in FRS. Click here to view additional information on the Florida Retirement System.

Closing Date/Time: 3/2/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Salary:

Negotiable