Public Safety Legal Advisor -Transactional

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For more information about this position and our competitive pay, benefits package and pension plan, refer to this job posting or our City website athttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hollywoodfl.

The Public Safety Legal Advisor is a member of the City Attorney's Office, and reports to and is under the authority of the City Attorney. General responsibilities include conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions, litigation, and advising on the legal implications of departmental policies and practices. May provide legal counsel to the Police and Fire Departments under the direction of the City Attorney. Drafts and reviews contracts, resolutions, ordinances, labor grievances, arbitrations and civil forfeitures.This role requires the exercise of significant independent judgment and a high level of responsibility due to the broad scope of legal matters and opinions that must be addressed. Individuals in this classification may also serve as City Prosecutor, a function that demands exceptional discretion, sound legal judgment, and the ability to prosecute municipal offenses effectively without direct supervision. The position supports various Public Safety departments as assigned by the City Attorney and provides assistance to other attorneys as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal advice to the Chief of Police and police staff on all legal issues relating to police operations, including, but not limited to, interpretation of state and federal laws, new legislation, employment matters relating to internal affairs investigations and discipline.
• Researches legal issues and drafts opinions as directed by the City Attorney.
• Researches and drafts ordinances and resolutions for presentation to the City Commission.
• Prosecutes municipal ordinance violations in County Court and handles related appeals.
• Provide legal training to personnel and issue legal bulletins.
• Investigates, prepares, and advises regarding civil cases brought against police personnel.
• Assists in the preparation of personnel as witnesses at criminal and civil trials, hearings, and/or depositions.
• Acts as liaison with the offices of the State Attorney, City Prosecutor and U.S. Attorney, the court, local, state and federal governments, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Reviews and interprets criminal and civil laws on a continuous basis in order to formulate legal policy.
• Supervises assigned employees.
• Initiate and prosecute civil forfeitures under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act and Risk Protection Orders.
• Reviews subpoenas and requests for public records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Drafts and reviews contracts for services and purchases.
• Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.
• Establishes and maintains effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
• Performs related work as requested by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required:
Graduation from an accredited law school (LLB or JD Degree), membership in good standing in the Florida Bar, and five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney in municipal/transactional law.

Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Membership in good standing in the Florida Bar
  
• Valid Driver's License: With proof of automobile insurance
• Background Check: Must have an acceptable background record
• Driving Abstract: Must have an acceptable driving record

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, county, and municipal laws.
• Knowledge of laws relating to cities' rights and privileges.
• Skill in researching and analyzing day to day problems.
• Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to match deadlines with workload through proper scheduling.
• Ability to logically research (primarily utilizing Westlaw and its products) and present alternate solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to manage administrative details.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require the use of fingers or hands to manipulate objects such as picking, gripping, or pressing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Required Education and Background Information: Look over the announcement carefully to determine your eligibility. Please note minimum education and experience requirements. Closed competitive positions are open only to employees while open competitive positions are open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications for the position. Evidence of a GED test score is required if submitted for high school diploma. Applicants are responsible for clearly documenting work experience and/or providing all relevant information at the time of application. Additional information will not be accepted after the announcement closing date.

Special Accommodation and Communication Needs: The City of Hollywood provides necessary reasonable accommodation in the examination process upon request to persons with disabilities. Such requests must be made PRIOR to any scheduled examination.

Veteran's Preference:The City values the service that veterans and their family members have given to our country, and as such, proactively recruits and hires veterans and qualified spouses to the greatest extent possible. Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers (DD214) and meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Florida Statutes. For additional information, please refer to theFlorida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

All successful applicants will be required to pass an extensive background which may include criminal history searches, driving history checks, credit report, courthouse searches, education verification, employment verification, professional license verification, or other search methods as deemed necessary for the position. In addition, the applicant will be required to undergo a medical examination, which may include a drug screening, prior to appointment.

EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES: The City of Hollywood has an Ordinance which regulates the employment of relatives of City employees. Effective January 28, 2008, a relative may only be hired under the following additional conditions:

• The relative must have competed in an appropriate examination process as determined by Human Resources and be placed on a civil service eligibility list;
• The relative must be among the top three ranked candidates available on the certified eligibility list unless expanded by the Civil Service Board;
• The Department or Office Director and the Director, Human Resources must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the City of Hollywood to hire the relative of a public officer or employee.

As of 12/15/2005 the City will require all newly hired employees to sign an affidavit affirming non-usage of tobacco or tobacco products within the last yearpriorto submission of application and will continue to be a non-user of tobacco products throughout employment with the City of Hollywood.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:The Employment Office will make reasonable efforts in the examination and workplace to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of special needs by calling (954) 921-3216.

All applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, abilities, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression (except as limited by law, Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational disqualifications).

The City of Hollywood is an Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Employer.