Assistant City Attorney I, II, or III - Utilities and Regulatory

About This Position

This multi-level position provides legal services to and on behalf of the City under the direction of the City Attorney. Depending on the level, the role may include providing legal advice to senior and executive management, elected officials, and City Departments; conducting complex legal research; preparing legal documents; representing the City in internal and external legal matters; and assisting with or leading complex assignments with significant legal, political, operational, or financial impact. Attorney positions within the Austin City Attorney's Office are not governed by the City's non-sworn Municipal Civil Service rules.

Job Description:

Assistant City Attorney I, II, or III

Purpose:

Under the direction of the City Attorney, this position provides legal services to and on behalf of the City.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• •Legal Advice: With minimal or no supervision, provides legal advice to senior and executive management, and to elected officials, on primarily complex issues that may have high political or financial impact. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.
• •Legal Research: With minimal or no supervision, performs research on complex legal issues with moderate political or financial impact. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.
• •Legal Writing: With minimal or no supervision, prepares legal documents for senior managers on routine or moderately complex matters. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.
• •Legal Advocacy: With minimal or no supervision, acts as a lead or supporting representative of the City in internal and external legal matters that have significant political/ financial impact. May assist other attorneys on more complex assignments.

• Assistant City Attorney I-II
• Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None

Assistant City Attorney III

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• •Supervision: None
• •Leadership: Provides some mentoring and training to lower-level attorneys on legal issues and legal skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• •Knowledge of substantive laws applicable to Texas local governments.
• •Knowledge of the City of Austin Charter, Code, and administrative policies and procedures.
• •Knowledge of relevant court procedures and rules of evidence.
• •Ability to communicate and present analysis and information both orally and in writing in a clear and effective manner.
• •Ability to conduct thorough and accurate legal and factual research relevant to the job assignment.
• •Ability to analyze and problem solve in a timely fashion on legal issues relevant to the job assignment.
• •Proficiency in use of Departmental computer systems and technology.
• •Effective law office organizational skills.
• •Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, schedule interruptions, and shifting time deadlines.
• •Ability to conform to Departmental administrative procedures and requirements.
• •Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications :

Assistant City Attorney I

• •Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited school of law.
• •Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

Assistant City Attorney II

• •Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited school of law.
• •Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
• •Three (3) full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.

Assistant City Attorney III

• •Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited school of law.
• •Current active membership in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
• •Seven (7) full years of active practice as a licensed attorney.

Preferred Qualifications

• •Experience with or demonstrated interest in utility-related environmental law issues.
• •Experience with or demonstrated interest in technology or privacy law.
• •Experience with or demonstrated interest in drafting and negotiating complex transactions, such as IT projects; power, gas, and hedging transactions and trades; and other large purchase and acquisition transactions.
• •Experience with or demonstrated interest in utility service offerings and contracts.
• •Experience or demonstrated interest in in public contract law and public finance issues.
• •Experience in the public or private sector advising clients regarding complex transactions.
• •Familiarity with the structure and operation of the ERCOT market.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

License to practice law issued by the State Bar of Texas.





Compensation Range:

The annual hiring range for this position is $102,910.00-$131,700.00



Notes to Candidate:

Division Overview:

The successful candidate will be assigned to the Utilities and Regulatory division of the Law Department and would be responsible for researching and providing legal advice in one or more of the following areas – City of Austin Utilities- Austin Water, Austin Energy, and Austin Resource Recovery; regulation of certain non-city owned utilities; general complex transactional matters, technology or information security, and compliance. The work is transactional in nature and may include participation in alternative dispute resolution processes or support to the Litigation Division but does not include litigation. The attorney will be responsible for providing ongoing support to City staff and management, including negotiating and drafting contracts, conducting research, reviewing and drafting legal memoranda or resolutions, ordinances, City Code amendments, agenda postings, and other legal instruments. The attorney may also be responsible for preparing and making presentations at City Council meetings, both in public and in executive sessions. The scope of the assigned duties may vary depending on the business needs of the client.

Work Location:

We value a healthy work-life balance and currently offer a 40-hour work week with flexible work hours and a hybrid schedule of three days remote and two days on-site in accordance with the City’s policy and subject to supervisor approval. On-site work is primarily located at Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin 78701, or other location as designated by a supervisor.

Compensation Range:

The annual hiring range for this position is

Assistant City Attorney I: $80,190.00 - $101,400.00

Assistant City Attorney II: $89,190.00 - $115,100.00

Assistant City Attorney III: $102,910.00 - $131,700.00

Benefits:

Working with the City of Austin offers numerous benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid leave time, a comprehensive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Click HERE for more information.

Professional Growth and Development:

The City Attorney's Office offers opportunities to advance within our Attorney career ladder, as well as a wide variety of learning opportunities.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• •Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Any final offer will be made based on the information provided in the application.
• •A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• •A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application.
• •Please do not use the phrase “see