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Job Description
Summary
Minimum Starting Salary: $98,000.00 per year
The City of Waco Seeks:
A versatile attorney to join our legal team. If you are a detail-oriented, organized individual who enjoys working in a dynamic learning and enriching environment, this could be the opportunity for you.
Minimum Qualifications:
Required:- Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association law school
- Must be a member of the Texas State Bar on the first day of employment or be licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas and remain active with all Texas Bar annual requirements.
- Must be able to become licensed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
- A student who is in their final semester of obtaining Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-approved law school will be considered.
- If selected for the position, official proof of a J.D. degree and membership in the Texas State Bar is required and a condition of employment.
Preferred:- Two years’ experience in the practice of law and municipal legal practice and courtroom experience
Position Description:
Under basic supervision, provides legal representation, advice and services to the City Council, boards and commissions, and City staff.
Essential Functions:- Provides competent, well researched legal advice and counsel to City officials, boards and commissions, and City staff.
- Drafts resolutions, ordinances, and proposed legislation.
- Performs legal research and monitors changes in state and federal regulations, standards and legislation governing municipalities.
- Represents the City in civil and criminal matters before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, state and federal agencies, mediators, and arbitrators, including acting as a prosecutor in municipal court.
- Writes clear communications for client or third parties to include memos, briefs, legal opinions, bulletins and other documents as assigned.
- Makes professional presentations before staff, boards and commissions, and the City Council, trains city employees in legal matters.
- Recognizes, assesses, and analyzes potential liability and complex legal issues and keeps the City Attorney, City Management and staff informed of the same.
- Provides training to City Management and City staff as needed.
- Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines.
- Coordinates, oversees and assists contracted legal professionals retained as outside counsel regarding various legal questions, civil and criminal proceedings and verifies work product.
- Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the City by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
- Cross-trains in a wide variety of legal fields that pertain to legal representation for the City.
- Works collaboratively with colleagues in the City Attorney's Office to ensure consistent and cohesive services are provided.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
- Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors, and City staff, maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information
- Lives the City of Waco Values: equity & inclusion, excellence & innovation, integrity, people, and teamwork.
The City of Waco offers a complete benefits package for eligible employees including; health, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, long term and short term disability, retirement, deferred compensation plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, credit union and savings bonds.
To learn more about the benefits offered, visit our Benefits page.
Why Work For Waco:- Meaningful and challenging work
- Make a difference and improve communities
- Competitive Salary and Benefits
- Full Range of Benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
- Mandatory TMRS Retirement Plan with a 2:1 City Match
- Education Assistance Program
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance
- Longevity Pay
- And More!
- Chance to do work you are passionate about
- Desire to give back
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Waco
Show moreWaco is centrally located in the heart of Texas on the I-35 corridor midway between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin. This progressive and diverse city with a vibrant community spirit offers major attractions, museums, recreation, and abundant shopping to more than 140,000 residents. Waco is the 25th largest city in Texas and the county seat of McLennan County.
Waco is not only briming with Texas history, economic opportunity, and a rich variety of cultural experiences, it is also a major seat of high learning within three major colleges in its city limits including Baylor University, Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College.
The city is also the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Waco boasts one of the biggest and best municipal parks in Texas, Cameron Park. While the park is located in the middle of downtown situated on the Brazos and Bosque River it hosts numerous races, triathlons, boat races and much, much more.
Governance and Organization
Waco is a home rule city with a council-manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of a Mayor, elected at-large, and five City Council members representing single-member districts, all serving two-year terms. The City Council sets the tax rate, approves the budget, appoints members to City boards and commissions, enacts City ordinances, and appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, City Secretary, and the Municipal Court Judge.
The City has a strong Financial Management Policy that guides the operation and delivery of quality City services, contributes to excellent AA+ and Aa1 bond ratings, and maintains an unassigned fund balance reserve in the General Fund equal to 28% of current year budgeted expenditures. The City of Waco has more than 1,600 employees and a total operating budget of over $400 million.
The City provides a full range of municipal services including a regional airport, animal services, building inspections, code enforcement, convention and visitors bureau, emergency management, housing and community development, economic development, fire, public health, library, municipal court, parks and recreation, planning, police, public works, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum, utilities and zoo operations.
The City Council and City Manager are committed to the mission of providing exemplary municipal services for citizens and visitors in a collaborative and transparent manner while honoring the public’s trust. Waco values include providing excellent and innovative services, promoting equality and inclusion, focusing on teamwork, investing in people and always doing the right thing.
With the City of Waco, you will find our home; where everyone belongs and thrives as move forward together.
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