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Public Records Staff Attorney

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Public Records Staff Attorney

Salary

$75,025.00 - $115,000.00 Annually

Location

FL 33432, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

04260

Department

City Attorney

Division

Administration 06/04001

Opening Date

05/01/2025

Closing Date

5/15/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Y1

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

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Job Description

The Public Records Staff Attorney will be responsible for coordinating the City’s responses to sizable, complex, sensitive, or otherwise non-routine public records requests; serving as a subject matter expert and resource to City employees on public records law; and assisting in the development of City-wide policies, procedures, and standard forms to improve and streamline the processes for receiving, analyzing, and responding to public records requests. The Public Records Staff Attorney will assist the City Attorney in providing legal services for the Mayor and City Council, City officials, the City Manager, and all City departments; will respond to subpoenas, evidence preservation requests, and discovery requests; and may also perform projects/tasks as directed by the City Attorney. Work will be performed under the direction and supervision of the City Attorney.

Essential Functions

+ Monitor the City’s receipt, review, analysis, processing, and response to sizable, complex, sensitive, or otherwise other non-routine public records requests, including coordinating, as necessary, across City departments. Proactively engage in communication with requestors to resolve ambiguities, keep all relevant City personnel updated on the status of pending public records requests, ensure there is staff follow-up on such public records requests, and ensure the City’s responses to such requests are well-documented.

+ Perform legal research and draft memoranda, as necessary, regarding Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and other applicable law to provide guidance to City staff regarding responses to public records requests.

+ Develop policies and procedures to improve the City's efficiency and effectiveness, and reduce processing times, in responding to public record requests. Create forms to be used for public records response process that help to ensure clarity, completeness, and compliance with applicable law.

+ Develop and implement training programs for City staff regarding public records law in order to enhance compliance. Serve as a City-wide resource to help staff understand their public records obligations.

+ Monitor amendments to public records laws and statutes in Florida.

+ Handle additional assignments and projects as directed by the City Attorney.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

+ Knowledge of:

+ Experience and knowledge of, or a demonstrated interest in, Florida’s public records laws.

+ The methods of conducting legal research.

+ Skilled in:

+ The ability to analyze caselaw, and to prepare, or to learn to prepare, legal memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, agreements, and other legal documents.

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas effectively.

+ Ability to:

+ Provide litigation services and/or support.

+ Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

+ J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

+ Member of The Florida Bar in good standing.

+ Valid State of Florida Class “E” Driver’s License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

+ Demonstrated interest (through coursework, certifications, internships/clerkships, or otherwise) in the practice of local government law, administrative law, or related fields.

+ Experience in a records management role, ideally in a government setting or law firm.

POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:

+ Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:

+ Criminal Background Check

+ Employment Verification

+ Education Verification

+ Certification/License Verification

The City of Boca Raton is an Equal Opportunity (https://www.myboca.us/1226/Equal-Employment-Opportunity) , Inclusive, Veteran's Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace. It is the policy of the City of Boca Raton to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

BENEFITS SUMMARY

Full-Time Non-Bargaining Employees

ANNUAL LEAVE: Shall accrue prior to an employee attaining permanent status in the classified service, and may be used after six (6) months of employment at the sole discretion of the Department Head, but it shall not be paid out upon resignation or termination unless the employee has attained permanent status (one full year). The maximum accrual is 360 hours.

Year of ServiceAccrual

0 to 5 full years8 hours per month

5 to 10 full years10 hours per month

10 to 15 full years12 hours per month

15 full years and over14 hours per month

CASH OUT OF ANNUAL LEAVE: Employees who have attained permanent status shall be permitted to cash out up to forty (40) hours of accrued and unused Annual Leave, either in a single lump sum payment or two or more partial payments, each fiscal year.

SICK LEAVE: 8 hours per month. Any hours in excess of 960 will be paid off annually at 50%. Upon retirement, employees with a minimum of 5 years continuous service will receive 50% of sick leave balance. Termination for reasons other than retirement shall be entitled to payment for accrued, but unused sick leave, as follows:

Years of servicePercentage

Less than 2 full years0%

2 to 5 full years10%

5 to 10 full years20%

10 full years or more30%

Retirement (normal, early or disability)50%

HEALTH INSURANCE (Premiums): Employee Medical (Base Plan) - Paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the buy up employee coverage plans. Employee Dental (DHMO or Basic PPO Plan) & Vision (Basic Plan) paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the Employee + Dependent(s) for the Medical, Dental, & Vision Plan.

CONTINUOUS SERVICE BENEFIT: As of December 1 each year - Paid during the month of December.

Year of ServiceBenefit

5 to 10 full years$600 annually

10 to 15 full years$800 annually

15 full years and over$1,100 annually

RETIREMENT PLANS: The two pension/retirement options are listed below:

+ An option to enroll in a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan will not require a mandatory contribution. The City will contribute seven (7%) percent of the annual base wages annually. The vesting period for this plan shall be one (1) year from date of hire in the classified service, which coincides with your one-year probationary period.

+ An option to enroll in a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan option is available. There is a ten (10) year vesting period with a multiplier of 2.00% at normal retirement and a mandatory seven and three-quarters (7.75%) percent employee contribution.

+ The two (2) options will be fully explained prior to an irrevocable selection.

Optional: 457 Deferred Compensation Savings Plan is available.

HOLIDAYS: 15 per year: 12 recognized holidays and 3 floating days which are allocated for the fiscal year beginning October 1, to all 8 hour per day employees. Employees hired between October 1 and March 31 shall receive 3 floating holidays. Employees hired between April 1 and September 30 shall receive 1.5 floating holidays. Floating holidays must be used within the fiscal year. Non-task employees working 10-hour days receive 10, 10-hour paid holidays but do not receive floating holidays.

FUNERAL LEAVE: Up to 3 workdays - In State; Up to 5 workdays - Out of State

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement as outlined in the City’s Tuition Reimbursement Policy which is available in Human Resources and subject to the availability of departmental funds.

MILITARY LEAVE: Members in military reserve units who attend annual training are entitled to paid leave not to exceed 30 days each calendar year.

EAP: Employees, spouses, and eligible dependents have access to five (5) face-to-face sessions with a counselor through Cigna's Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Services include assistance with legal, financial, parenting, elder care, pet care, and identity theft.