Salary : $75,712.00 – $128,481.60 Annually
Location : Huntsville, AL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 5397
Department: Legal
Opening Date: 07/27/2023
Closing Date: 8/10/2023 6:00 PM Central
Nature of Work
This is advanced professional legal work in providing counsel and legal services for the City. Work involves responsibility for performing a wide variety of professional legal duties, including provision of legal services for all departments of the City. Work includes the preparation of cases for trial and the drafting of resolutions and documents. Employees in this class must be sufficiently qualified to try cases of considerable difficulty and manage and resolve complex legal problems of considerable difficulty and scale. Work is performed under general supervision and in accordance with established policies. Work is reviewed by a superior by the results obtained on assignments. Performs difficult legal research and prepares important legal documents for City departments, boards, and agencies. Prepares or reviews all types of municipal ordinances, resolutions, bond provisions, contracts, deeds, and other legal documents. Investigates serious claims and complaints by or against the City; recommends action and takes action as necessary. Evaluates complex legal problems; negotiates and advises in development of long-term solutions. Assists in and advises throughout implementation. Investigates and prepares difficult cases for trial; serves as a trial lawyer for the City in State and Federal Courts with respect to ordinance violations, claims and damage lawsuits, injunctive relief lawsuits, real estate acquisition or management, zoning variances, protect City’s claims in bankruptcy courts, assessments, liens, and other matters. Represents the City in efforts to collect funds through class action suits, subrogation actions, and intervenes as a third party into ongoing litigation; defends claims against the City for bodily injury, monetary damages, and/or property damage, from inception to conclusion. Advises and assists in the administration and enforcement of the City’s zoning ordinance, storm water management manual, flood plain regulations, and subdivision regulations; prepares legal instruments and documents including deeds, easement, and licenses. Represents the City Council, Huntsville Historic Commission, and the City’s Board of Zoning Adjustments in appeals from their respective decisions. Represents the City in workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits brought against the City by employees and former employees, negotiate settlements. Develops and assists in the administration of personnel ordinances, policies, and procedures; Represents City departments in personnel grievance and disciplinary hearings. Interviews witnesses and investigate facts relating to charges. Appears at show cause, final hearings and appeals to the City Council. Responds to subpoenas and request for records served upon the City, departments and employees. Represents the City regarding charges filed by current or former City employees related to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims. Provides legal research and advice to departments on code compliance issues. Consults with members of the Alabama Bar and with the general public on a variety of legal matters. Serves as training and coordinating prosecutor with responsibility for training full-time and substitute prosecuting attorneys in the municipal, circuit, and appellate courts of the State of Alabama. Responsible for coordinating prosecutorial services in the municipal and circuit courts. Requires regular and prompt attendance plus the ability to work well with others and work well as a team. Responds to inquiries. Makes presentations on legal topics. Approves letters of credit. Performs related work as required.
Physical and Environmental Factors:
Work is usually performed in an office or courtroom setting. Work is usually sedentary with occasional walking, climbing stairs if elevators are not available, reaching, bending, lifting, and carrying objects under 25 pounds or minimal physical activities. Work requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time and to operate personal computers.
Minimum Education, Training and Experience
Juris Doctor from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and considerable experience in legal practice. Considerable knowledge of municipal, state, federal, and common law, and of constitutional law affecting City government. Considerable knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence. Considerable knowledge of City ordinances and charter provisions particularly relating to the authority and functions of City departments, boards, and agencies. Considerable knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to City activities. Ability to prepare and try complex civil or criminal law cases before City, County, State, and Federal Courts. Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents. Ability to conduct research on complex legal problems. Skill in oral and written communications. Skill in the operation and care of a personal computer.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Must be a licensed member in good standing of the Alabama Bar Association.
Must have a current license to practice law in the State of Alabama.
Applicants May Obtain a Copy of the City of Huntsville’s EEOP Short Form Upon Request
The City of Huntsville offers a competitive benefits package for its regular, full-time employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, cancer, off-the-job accident, as well as annual leave, sick leave, holiday and retirement.
Below is a summary of the City’s benefit offerings:
The City of Huntsville offers a comprehensive benefit program to all full-time employees. For most benefits, a 30-day waiting period from date of eligibility will apply.
Medical Insurance
All eligible and ACA eligible employees may enroll in the City of Huntsville’s group health plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama; Blue Card PPO and High Deductible PPO. Benefits include medical/surgical, prescription coverage, and more.
Mental Health/Substance Abuse
A mental health benefit and substance abuse program is offered through Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). These benefits are included as part of the group health plan. Services may be accessed by contacting BHS. A designated Care Coordinator for the City of Huntsville can assist with referrals to network providers.
Dental Plan
The City offers a dental plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company to eligible full-time employees. This plan offers coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, Basic and Major Services, and Orthodontic coverage (for dependent children under the age of 19.) A deductible of $50 per person/calendar year applies for Basic and Major Services. The deductible is waived for Diagnostic and Preventative services and a plan maximum of $2,000/year/covered patient. Orthodontics carries a $2,000/lifetime max/patient.
Vision Plan
The City’s vision plan is offered and administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). VSP provides vision benefits, co-pays for eye exams, frames, and eyeglass lenses, as applicable, and an allowance for contact lenses. The plan also offers exclusive Member Extras for additional savings.
Retirement
The City’s retirement plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular full and part-time employees. Employees contribute a percentage of their salary to the plan. The City contributes a percentage as determined by RSA.
Life Insurance
The City provides a $20,000 group life insurance policy to all full-time employees through Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Eligible employees are covered after completing one full day of work and coverage is provided at no-cost to the employee. Additional benefits may apply in the event of accidental death or dismemberment.
Disability Insurance
The City provides a limited long term disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage. After ten years of service, disability benefits may be requested through the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).
Voluntary Life / AD&D
The City offers eligible employees an optional voluntary term life insurance benefit. Employees may apply to purchase additional term life insurance for self, spouse, and eligible dependents. Guarantee issue amounts are available if voluntary life benefits are elected within 30 days of eligibility. Premiums for employee and spouse are based upon age. Child Life is a flat rate based on the level of coverage.
The City also offers an optional voluntary accidental death & dismemberment insurance plan. Employees may purchase insurance for self or family. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Please refer to the plan summary for additional information.
Supplemental Voluntary Benefits
The City offers voluntary Cancer and Off-the-Job Accident plans administered by Allstate Benefits. The Cancer plan provides first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation & chemotherapy, and other benefits. The Off-the-Job Accident plan provides benefits for injuries occurring off the job. Please refer to the brochures for an explanation of covered benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts
The City offers two flexible spending account options to assist with unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses. These pre-taxed accounts require a qualifying receipt and may be reimbursed by mail or direct deposit. A pre-loaded debit card is available for enrollees in the medical account. The flexible spending accounts are administered by Health Equity/WageWorks.
Financial Wellness
The City provides a confidential financial wellness program through SmartDollar for all full-time employees. The program offers online tools and a step-by-step plan that is self-paced to help employees as they journey to reach their financial goals. There is no cost to the employee for participation.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
We know that dealing with day-to-day stresses can be distracting. The City provides a confidential EAP program to assist with life’s stresses. EAP services may be coordinated through Behavioral Health Systems (BHS) or through the Employee Resources and Program Manager at the City’s Health & Wellness Center. Resources may include substance abuse, grief and loss, marriage/family communication, managing stress and depression, parenting, and more. There is no waiting period for this benefit.
Health & Wellness Center
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The City’s Health & Wellness Center is more than just a clinic. The Center provides cost-effective health care and on-line services at no cost to the individual. Open Monday through Saturday, the Center provides medical services including acute, primary, and preventive care, as well as annual physicals. The Center also offers routine blood work, immunizations, wellness coaching, chronic disease management, many generic medications dispensed on-site, and much more. If an onsite appointment isn’t possible, Telehealth Services are available 24/7/365. All City employees, covered retirees, and covered dependents age 3 and above are eligible for services at the Center as well as telehealth services.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans
The City provides two optional voluntary deferred compensation plans: RSA-1 (State of Alabama) and Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Employees may defer portions of salary for a later date, such as retirement. Please see the Payroll Division of the Finance Department for further details.
Sick Leave
Sick leave accrual is 4 hours per pay period for all eligible City employees. There is no accrual maximum for employee sick leave.
Annual Leave
Annual leave for eligible employees is accrued as follows: less than 10 years = 4 hours per pay period; 10 to 15 years = 5 hours per pay period; 15 to 20 years = 6 hours per pay period; 20 or more years = 7 hours per pay period. Employees may accrue and carry forward 260 hours (or the equivalent for fire suppression) to the next calendar year.
Military Leave
The City provides a military leave plan that pays regular salary for not more than twenty-one days per year. Also, employees called into active service may receive compensation in an amount equal to the difference in the lower military pay and the higher public employment salary as provided by City Council Ordinance.
Holidays
The City recognizes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Two additional floating holidays may be declared each year at the discretion of the Mayor.
Longevity Pay
The City pays eligible employees compensation based upon the number of months of continuous regular full-time service as of October 1st of each year.
College 529 Savings Program
The City makes it easy for friends and family to give the gift of a college education. The 529 college savings program is administered by CollegeCounts, through payroll deduction, and offers tax advantages and other benefits.
Other Benefits
Please refer to the City of Huntsville Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
Disclosure:
The City offers a robust benefits program to eligible employees. The list above offers a summary of those benefits. The information is intended as a general reference and should in no way be construed as a promise or guarantee of employment or benefit coverage. Please refer to the appropriate Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact the City of Huntsville Benefits Office for more details. If there is a conflict between this information and the actual plan document or policies, the plan documents or policies will always govern.
01
Do you possess a Juris Doctor degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and considerable experience in legal practice?
- Yes
- No
02
Are you currently licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you currently a licensed member in good standing of the Alabama Bar Association?
- Yes
- No
04
How many years of legal practice experience do you have?
- No experience
- One to Three years
- Three to Five years
- Five or More years
Required Question