Staff Attorney

DESCRIPTION

* Two staff attorney positions are available.*

This legal position is responsible for handling complex civil litigation in state, federal and administrative courts and for providing legal counsel and representation to the Augusta, Georgia Commission, the Mayor, Administrator, government officers, department directors, boards, authorities and employees in their official capacities. May serve as legal counsel to Augusta, Georgia government officials, boards and authorities. Provides representation to Augusta and its officers and employees in various kinds of litigation in federal and state courts and transactional matters. May provide input on the evaluations of legal interns, paralegals, and administrative staff. Responsibilities also include drafting and presenting ordinances, resolutions and administrative rules before the Commission as well as otherwise assisting in the administration of the affairs of Augusta, Georgia.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

* Provides daily advice and counsel to Augusta, Georgia's elected officials, Administrator, department directors as directed by General Counsel. Demonstrates basic competency in daily representation of clients.
* Supporting General Counsel in representation of Government in complex state, federal and administrative litigation proceedings.
* Provide advice, legal support, and representation to various boards and authorities and attend various meetings as directed by General Counsel and has knowledge of parliamentary procedure under Roberts' Rules of Order.
* Must demonstrate knowledge of practicing under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Georgia Civil Practice Act and the Georgia Uniform Rules of Superior Court. Renders complex written and verbal legal opinions to General Counsel, Augusta, Georgia Commission, the Mayor and the department directors as directed by the General Counsel.
* Drafting and amending ordinances, regulations, Administrative Rules, policies and operating procedures at the request of General Counsel.
* Assists in reviewing and evaluating, case assessments, reports, bills and other records provided by outside counsel, experts, consultants, investigators and other professionals hired by the Law Department. Prepares and monitors legislative items for the Augusta, Georgia, Legislative Agenda and maintains a high level of professionalism and legal skill through attending legal conferences and seminars. Maintains professional demeanor and dress at all times. May write legal articles pertaining to local government law for publication in law review journals and other legal publications.
* Reviews responses to Open Records Act Requests under the Georgia Open Records Act and assists in responding to open records.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Juris Doctorate or Doctor of Laws Degree from an ABA accredited Law School

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in local government law, litigation, and real estate. Highly qualified candidates will have significant civil litigation and/or government experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

* Experience and knowledge of federal and state law civil rules and procedure
* Good academic credentials and an ability to work with minimal supervision are required.
* Familiarity with parliamentary procedure under Roberts' Rules of Order
* Skilled in interpersonal relations, and legal and business writing
* Skilled in conducting legal research (online legal research and knowledge of traditional research practices).
* Demonstrated proficiency in local government law, civil litigation and/or related areas of law.
* Organizational abilities.

Certification: Must be an active member of the State Bar of Georgia or be able to obtain such membership within twelve (12) months of hire.

OTHER

This position requires travel from office to other locations.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:

* Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.
* Human Interaction:Requires the ability to apply principles of negotiation. Performs such in formal situations within the context of legal guidelines.
* Verbal: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.
* Math:Occasionally requires the ability to perform basic calculations.
* Functional Reasoning:Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions;to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.
* Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.
* Physical Abilities:Tasks require the ability to perform sedentary to light work which may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.
* Sensory Requirements:Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate cues or signals.
* Environmental Factors:Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.