The City of Harrisburg is accepting applications for a Deputy City Solicitor in the Department of General Government, Office of the City Solicitor. This position performs professional legal services for the City of Harrisburg and does related work as required. This is a diverse practice involving legal advice, trial case work and legislation drafting in all phases of municipal government. Employees in this class must exercise considerable independent judgment in preparation of cases, legal research and interaction with the public as well as government officials. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the City Solicitor. This is a management, FLSA-exempt position.
Applicants must possess a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney with exposure to the following areas: trial advocacy, real estate, litigation, bankruptcy, municipal law, land use and administrative law. Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Eligibility to practice law in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is preferred. Other equivalent combinations of experience and training which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will also be considered. Final approval of City Council required for hire. Valid PA Driver’s License, or equivalent, is also required.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The City of Harrisburg offers an annual salary range of $85,000.00-92,000.00 (commensurate with experience and qualifications). This full-time position also includes an excellent benefits package: defined pension plan, paid holidays, paid time off (vacation, sick and personal time) and health care benefits (medical, dental, prescription and vision).
This position will remain open until filled. If interested, please submit a cover letter, your resume, three employment references and salary history to:
City of Harrisburg, Bureau of Human Resources
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Government Center
10 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 255-6475
Email: [email protected] (electronic submission preferred)
The City of Harrisburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Wanda R. D. Williams, Mayor
JOB TITLE: M
DEPUTY CITY SOLICITOR
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
This position performs professional legal services for the City of Harrisburg and does related work as required. This is a diverse practice involving legal advice, trial case work and legislation drafting in all phases of municipal government. Employees in this class must exercise considerable independent judgment in preparation of cases, legal research and interaction with the public as well as government officials. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the City Solicitor. This is a management, FLSA-exempt position.
JOB LOCATION:
Work is performed at the Reverend Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., City Government Center, Law Bureau Suite 402, 10 North Second Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment however, some work involves visits to various city sites and exposure to whatever risks are present at those sites. Employees are also expected to attend meetings and conferences throughout the City, County, Commonwealth, and United States. Employees are also required to travel to the various District Justice offices and other courthouses, wherever situated. Duties are typically performed weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, the position requires routine attendance of public meetings during the evening hours.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Handle civil and criminal cases, including trials, summary hearings and settlement negotiations. Prepare and review contract documents for form and legality. Prepare bonds, obligations, contracts and other agreements, leases, conveyances, assurances and releases where the City or any City agency is a party. Prepare legislation (resolutions and ordinances) for passage by City Council. Advise, research and prepare legal opinions for the Mayor, City Council and other City officials and management employees on various legal issues including: Contracts, Labor and Employment Law, Zoning and Land Use, Administrative Law, and other areas of Municipal Law relating to Third Class City code. Prepare legal motions, briefs, pleadings and other documents for use in litigations. Prosecute suits brought by the City for or on account of any rights, privileges, claims or demand. Litigate civil matters, including contract claims, land use appeals, tax appeals, PA Public Utility Commission appeals and Building and Zoning Code Appeals. Litigate summary criminal matters in place of District Attorney regarding Building and Housing Code violations. Defend all actions or suits against the City or its agencies where any acts of the City or its agencies may be brought into question before any court, administrative agency or other judicial or quasi-judicial body. Collaborate with other City departments, officials and experts on City projects. Represent City at administrative hearings before various Boards and Commissions, including the Zoning Hearing Board, the Building and Housing Code Board of Appeals and the Civil Service Commission. Represent City relative to labor matters during the internal grievance process and at arbitration hearings. Represent the City at contract/labor and settlement negotiations. Attend and act as City Solicitor at City Council Legislative Sessions in the absence of the City Solicitor. Present legislation at City Council Committee Meetings. Supervise and delegate assignments to Assistant City Solicitor(s) and staff. Advise/monitor outside legal counsel. Attend City Council sessions and meetings. Act as City’s Chief Legal Counsel in the City Solicitor’s absence. Maintain regular, punctual and predictable attendance. Report to work and remain at work in a productive condition which includes not being under the influence or impaired by the use of alcohol and/or drugs. Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with supervisors, co-workers and the general public. Completes all assignments in an efficient, consistent and timely manner.
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
None
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Good knowledge of the Third Class City Code and Optional Third Class City Charter provisions, state law, municipal law, and the general laws of the City and State.
- Superior computer research skills, Westlaw/Lexis-Nexis.
- Superior trial advocacy skills, including knowledge of criminal and civil procedures, rules of evidence and rules of professional responsibility.
- Skill in preparing cases, interviewing witnesses, settlement negotiations, and trying cases in court.
- Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to particular circumstances.
- Ability to participate in the preparation and trial of difficult and important cases, and to present material clearly and logically in oral and written form.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney with exposure to the following areas: trial advocacy, real estate, litigation, bankruptcy, municipal law, land use and administrative law.
- Must possess a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; admission to the PA Bar Association; eligibility to practice law in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Final approval of City Council required for hire.
- Valid PA Driver’s License or equivalent is also required.
To apply for this job please visit laserfiche.harrisburgpa.gov.