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Senior Assistant City Attorney

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Senior Assistant City Attorney

Salary

$112,881.00 - $147,000.00 Annually

Location

FL 33432, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

04306

Department

City Attorney

Division

Administration 06/04001

Opening Date

06/06/2025

Closing Date

6/27/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Y2

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

General Statement of Job

The Senior Assistant City Attorney provides high-level, professional legal services in support of the City Attorney’s Office, advancing the City’s legal compliance, operational integrity, and service to the public. This position handles complex legal matters across a broad range of municipal practice areas, including civil litigation, land use and zoning, contracts and procurement, real estate, development services, constitutional issues, and municipal governance. The Senior Assistant City Attorney collaborates closely with elected officials, department leadership, and advisory boards to provide legal counsel, risk analysis, and practical solutions that support lawful policymaking, regulatory compliance, and effective City operations. The role requires sound professional judgment, impartial legal advice, and a strong commitment to ethical public service. Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Attorney and may involve independent management of legal initiatives or special projects of citywide importance.

Essential Functions

+ Provides timely, practical, and impartial legal advice to City departments, elected officials, advisory boards, and staff to support lawful, effective, and transparent municipal governance.

+ Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and revises a wide variety of legal instruments, including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, interlocal agreements, procurement and bid documents, easements, leases, and real estate conveyances.

+ Advises on land use, zoning, code enforcement, development entitlements, and the interpretation and application of the City Code, including support for Development Services.

+ Represents the City in civil litigation, administrative hearings, quasi-judicial proceedings, and appeals; responsibilities include case evaluation, discovery, trial preparation, settlement negotiations, and coordination with outside counsel where appropriate.

+ Prepares formal legal opinions, internal memoranda, risk assessments, and policy guidance on a broad array of municipal issues, including public ethics, Sunshine Law, public records, charter interpretation, and constitutional compliance.

+ Attends City Council meetings, advisory board meetings, and public workshops to provide real-time legal counsel, support legislative development, and advise on procedural matters.

+ Monitors changes in federal, state, and local law; conducts complex legal research to ensure the City’s actions, policies, and procedures remain compliant with current legal and regulatory frameworks.

+ Collaborates with City leadership to proactively identify, assess, and resolve legal and regulatory issues that impact municipal operations, public infrastructure, capital projects, procurement, and employee matters.

+ Supports the development and legal review of City policies, administrative procedures, and strategic initiatives; ensures alignment with applicable law and public accountability standards.

+ May mentor or guide legal support staff or junior attorneys, offering feedback and informal supervision on assigned legal work.

+ Performs other duties as assigned in furtherance of the mission of the City Attorney’s Office.

Related tasks:

+ Participates in cross-functional teams, policy development groups, and interdepartmental task forces requiring legal counsel or facilitation.

+ Delivers internal training and legal briefings on public records compliance, Sunshine Law, ethics, procurement, and related legal topics.

+ Assists with the legal analysis, drafting, or vetting of legislation, charter amendments, or special policy initiatives.

+ Responds to legal questions or concerns raised by residents, community stakeholders, or outside agencies, in coordination with the City Attorney.

+ Maintains and periodically updates standard legal forms, contract templates, procurement documents, and administrative policies.

+ Advises on public meetings, ethics disclosures, and other matters that advance public transparency and good governance.

+ Provides legal leadership on projects of citywide significance in support of the City Attorney’s strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

+ Principles and practices of municipal law, including the interpretation and application of the Florida Statutes, Florida Constitution, and City Code of Ordinances.

+ Applicable federal, state, and local laws impacting municipal governance, including public records (Chapter 119, F.S.), Sunshine Law (Chapter 286, F.S.), ethics (Chapter 112, F.S.), procurement, labor and employment, and land use and zoning laws.

+ Civil litigation procedures, including federal civil rights actions (e.g., Section 1983), administrative hearing processes, appellate practice, and evidentiary rules.

+ Legal risk management principles and liability mitigation strategies applicable to local government operations.

+ Regulatory frameworks and compliance considerations related to development review, public finance, utilities, environmental law, and public infrastructure projects.

+ Legal research tools and techniques, including Westlaw and municipal-specific legal resources, as well as statutory and case law analysis relevant to city operations.

Skilled in:

+ Drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating a broad range of legal documents, such as contracts, resolutions, ordinances, interlocal agreements, easements, leases, procurement instruments, and memoranda of understanding.

+ Conducting nuanced legal research and synthesizing statutory, regulatory, and case law into practical written and verbal legal opinions.

+ Representing the City in judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative proceedings through persuasive advocacy, motion practice, and litigation strategy.

+ Communicating complex legal concepts with clarity, diplomacy, and professionalism to elected officials, City staff, and non-legal audiences.

+ Managing competing legal priorities and assignments across a dynamic municipal environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

Ability to:

+ Provide impartial, sound, and strategic legal advice that supports City policy, protects public interests, and facilitates efficient and lawful government operations.

+ Analyze legal, regulatory, and procedural issues within a municipal context and recommend legally defensible, politically aware, and publicly transparent solutions.

+ Foster trust and collaborative working relationships with elected officials, City leadership, employees, board members, regulatory agencies, and the public.

+ Navigate sensitive or high-stakes legal issues with discretion, sound judgment, and adherence to the highest standards of ethics and professional responsibility.

+ Support and occasionally lead cross-departmental projects or legal initiatives with citywide impact.

+ Adapt to evolving legal requirements and organizational goals in a fast-paced, high-accountability public service environment.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

+ Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

+ Member in good standing of The Florida Bar.

+ Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience practicing law, including at least three (3) years focused on areas relevant to municipal government such as: public sector litigation (including civil rights/§1983 claims); land use and zoning; contracts and procurement; real estate and development review; code enforcement and administrative law; and/or public records and Sunshine Law compliance.

+ Demonstrated ability to independently provide legal advice on complex, high-stakes matters involving regulatory compliance, governance, and municipal operations.

+ Experience advising public officials or senior administrators in a public agency, particularly in matters involving legal risk management, policy implementation, or regulatory oversight.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

+ Direct experience advising or representing a municipal or local government agency, including interaction with elected officials, City Council/Commission, advisory boards, or executive leadership.

+ Significant subject-matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: public procurement and contracting; interlocal agreements and public-private partnerships; employment and labor law in the public sector; constitutional law, ethics, or public transparency compliance; public infrastructure, construction law, or environmental regulation.

+ Board Certification in City, County and Local Government Law by The Florida Bar.

+ Advanced understanding of Florida-specific legal frameworks, including: Chapter 286 (Sunshine Law); Chapter 119 (Public Records Act); Chapter 112 (Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees).

+ Demonstrated litigation experience in administrative or judicial forums involving local government issues.

+ Equivalent combinations of relevant education, experience, and qualifications may be considered.

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 Service Accrual

0 to 5 full years, 8 hours per month

5 to 10 full years, 10 hours per month

10 to 15 full years, 12 hours per month

15 full years and over, 14 hours per month

CASH OUT OF ANNUAL LEAVE: Employees in this benefits group may convert all vacation hours accrued annually to cash at any time.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 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 of continuous service will receive 50% of the sick leave balance. Termination for reasons other than retirement shall be entitled to payment for accrued but unused sick leave, as follows:

Years of service Percentage

Less than 2 full years, 0%

2 full years, or more, but less than 5 full years, 10%

5 full years, or more, but less than 10 full years, 20%

10 full years or more, 30%

Retirement (normal, early, or disability) 50%

HEALTH INSURANCE (Premiums): The city pays 100% of the premium for employee single and eligible dependent coverage if elected, in the Medical Plan. Additionally, the City pays 100% of the premium for employees and eligible dependent coverage in the Dental (DHMO or Basic PPO) and Vision (Basic) Plans.

Employees may elect additional coverage and contribute the premium required for the buy-up Dental or Vision plans.

CONTINUOUS SERVICE BENEFIT: As of December 1, each year, eligible employees with more than five (5) full years of service shall receive the following based on their years of service in the month of December.

Year of Service Benefit

5 to 10 full years, $600 annually

10 to 15 full years, $800 annually

15 full years and over, $1,000 annually

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

+ An option to enroll in a Defined Contribution 401 (a) Plan. The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan requires a mandatory 5% contribution with an option to contribute up to 10%. The City will contribute seven (14%) percent of the annual base wages annually. The vesting period for this plan shall be 100% at four (4) years of service.

+ An option to enroll in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan option is available. There is a ten (10) year vesting period with a multiplier of 2.45% at normal retirement and a mandatory eleven (11%) percent pre-tax employee contribution.

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

Optional: Roth IRA and 457 Deferred Compensation Savings Plans are available.

HOLIDAYS: The city observes 12 recognized holidays and additional floating days, which are allocated for the fiscal year beginning October 1, to full time 8 hours per day employees. Employees in this benefits group receive an additional 8 (8-hour) floating holidays per fiscal year.

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.