Senior Assistant City Attorney

Salary : $110,000.00 - $150,000.00 Annually
Location : Miami Beach, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2449
Department: City Attorney
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Nature of Work

The City of Miami Beach City Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced attorney for the position of Senior Assistant City Attorney / Police Legal Advisor ("PLA"). This position reports to the City Attorney and serves as a legal advisor to the Miami Beach Chief of Police and the officers of the Miami Beach Police Department ("MBPD").

On a daily basis, the PLA will receive calls from Miami Beach Police Department MBPD officers and other City of Miami Beach ("City") employees requesting legal advice on a wide range of legal matters including criminal, civil, and code compliance issues. In addition, PLAs provide legal advice to the Chief of Police and other Command Staff members regarding a variety of matters. PLAs prepare and prosecute all civil forfeiture actions, risk protection orders, and actively participate in code compliance hearings. This position is also responsible for reviewing (and occasionally drafting) various MBPD agreements, contracts, and other documents. Furthermore, PLAs conduct research on a variety of legal issues affecting MBPD (e.g., amendments to Florida Statutes, pertinent caselaw decisions) in order to provide written legal opinions and/or training classes (live and/or recorded) for MBPD Officers.
Illustrative Examples of Essential Duties

• Provide written and verbal legal advice.
• Draft legal notes, legal guidance, and other documents for agency-wide dissemination.
• Prosecute civil forfeiture actions, risk protection orders, and code compliance violations.
• Handle motions for return of property in criminal court.
• Provide legal training and instruction to MBPD Officers (and occasionally other employees).
• Review agreements, policies, internal affairsinvestigations, disciplinary action reports, and other documents.
• Prepare informative legal bulletins and legislative summaries containing the key points and the potential impact upon MBPD.
• Review seizures of currency, tangible personal property, vehicles, and real property under State and Federal forfeiture laws for legal sufficiency.
• Litigate forfeiture actions including preparing all filings and pleadings, drafting responses, attending hearings, and trying forfeiture actions.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legislative items at the request of the City Attorney for City Commission matters related to law enforcement.
• Represent the City in certain code compliance, parking and building violation hearings, providing legal advice to City staff and officials, and conducting legal research.
• Prepare for administrative hearings, present evidence, and argue before the City's special magistrates.
• Become familiar with code enforcement statutory and case law, liens and foreclosures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, municipal codes and charters, state and federal laws and regulations,
  court decisions, and other legal requirements applicable to municipal government functions, operations, and
  government procurement.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of legal research and investigation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal communication.
• Knowledge of the responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies in the State of
  Florida.
• Knowledge of state law governing public records and the meetings of public government bodies.
• Ability to define and analyze complex legal issues and problems, research and organize facts, perform legal risk-benefit analysis, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, logically, and persuasively.
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
• Ability to use effective written and oral communication skills, including explaining complex and unfamiliar
  principles to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to remain neutral on issues where there are competing political agendas.
• Ability to use a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or
  upset individuals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, coworkers, the press the
  general public and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex,
  disability, political affiliation, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit
  of all city ethics and conflicts of interest policies. Strong understanding of ethical behavior is required.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited school of law.
• Current member of the Florida Bar in good standing with no history of discipline.
• Four (4) years of legal experience relevant to the major duties/essential functions of the position.
• Municipal or government law office experience preferred, but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIERMENTS

• The work is typically performed in an office and in court rooms and meeting rooms while sitting at a desk or table while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.

For all positions:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, coworkers, the press the general public and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, political affiliation, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of all city ethics and conflicts of interest policies. Strong understanding of ethical behavior is required.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Performs related work as required
• Reports to work as directed during an emergency as an essential employee of the City of Miami Beach

For all technical, professional, supervisory and managerial positions:

• Ability to develop innovative and creative solutions to issues consistent with the City's strategic plan.

Applicants must detail any related work experience on the application or risk disqualification. It is the applicant's responsibility to update their NEOGOV profile with work experience, education, certifications and personal contact information when submitting each application, failure to do so will result in ineligibility. City of Miami Beach employees must reflect their current position and detail their work experience on the application to avoid being disqualified.
Veterans Preference: Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (either Member 2 or Member 4), as well as the final Department of Defense Disability Letter (dated within one year) must be submitted with the application.
Benefits are available to FULL-TIME employees only. The City of Miami Beach offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 12 vacation, 12 sick days, 15 paid holidays (11 holidays and 4 floating holidays); partially sponsored by the City group medical (including visual) and dental insurance, life insurance. Excellent retirement plan: pre-tax employee contribution added to the City's contribution; 5 year "cliff vesting."

Voluntary Benefits (fully paid by the employee, but payroll deductible): flexible spending account; 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and Roth IRA; universal and critical life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care, and lump sum cancer policy. Also, U.S. Legal Services, tuition assistance, pre-tax payroll contributions, continuation of medical and dental coverage up to 18 months upon termination (COBRA).

For a more detailed overview of the benefit package, please visit Benefits section at
01

Do you have aJuris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited school of law?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current member of the Florida Bar in good standing with no history of discipline?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have four (4) years of legal experience relevant to the major duties/essential functions of the position?

• Yes
• No

Required Question