City Solicitor
Company: City of Somerville
Location: Somerville
Posted on: July 29, 2022
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Job Description:
Job DescriptionThe City Solicitor is the chief administrator of
the City's Law Department and oversees the provision of legal
services to the Mayor, City Council, all City departments, boards
and commissions. The City Solicitor occupies a position of
responsibility and trust requiring the highest ethical standards,
solid judgment, discretion, and professionalism. The City Solicitor
is a member of the City's executive leadership team.The current
composition of the Law Department includes the City Solicitor
position, a Deputy City Solicitor, a Chief Labor Counsel, three
Assistant City Solicitors, two Paralegals and a Legal
Administrative Assistant.Essential Functions:The essential
functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations
of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of
specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the
position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment
to the position.• Superintends the work of all Law Department
staff, including Assistant City Solicitors, paralegals, and outside
counsel. • Meets with and advises the Mayor, City Council,
department heads and most boards and commissions.• Oversees the Law
Department's active litigation caseload from intake to conclusion
before state and federal courts, independent arbitrators, and
various administrative agencies, including but not limited to the
Civil Service Commission, DLR, MCAD, JLMC, ABCC and DALA. •
Conducts legal research and drafts opinions on legal issues for the
Mayor, City Council, all City departments, boards and commissions.
• Appears before the City Council and its committees as well as
City boards, committees and commissions, as requested.• Reviews,
negotiates and signs off on all City contracts.• Provides legal
risk assessment and management in all areas of City operations.•
Provides advice and opinions related to the compliance obligations
of the City, its employees and elected officials.• Oversees the
negotiation of all labor contracts, as well as grievances and
arbitrations, for the City with all city labor unions, as conducted
by labor counsel, assistant city solicitors and/or outside
counsel.• Manages claims against the City and seeks collection on
claims on behalf of the City.• Drafts or updates as necessary,
ordinances, Home Rule Petitions, resolutions, rules and regulations
and policies and procedures.• Advocates for passage of the City's
state legislative initiatives.• Interacts and works closely with
City department heads to advise on legal aspects of City work.•
Prepares and oversees the administration of the department's annual
operating budget.• Serves as the City's Records Access Officer in
responding to public records requests.• Serves as the City's
official Keeper of Record for all documents in the Law Department.•
Must be reasonably available to respond to the Mayor and other
appropriate city staff during non-working days and
hours.Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Juris Doctor degree with more than ten
(10) years prior work experience preferably in a municipal law
department or municipal law practice; or any equivalent combination
of education, training and experience which provides the required
knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions
of the job. Must have experience in a fast-paced, high-volume
environment, a demonstrated ability to multitask and appropriately
prioritize work amongst many high priority items and experience
advising executive leadership in complicated situations.Special
Requirements:A member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar and
to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Admission the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals is desirable but
not required. Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:Knowledge: Thorough
working knowledge of relevant city, state and federal laws,
regulations, court cases and administrative body decisions relevant
to serving the needs of an urban municipality such as Somerville.
Working knowledge of municipal organization structure and municipal
services. Working knowledge of legislative processes.Abilities:
Excellent abilities in organization, communication, both oral and
written, as well as critical analytical and managerial skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed and accurate manner.
Strong administrator with ability to manage law department budget,
oversee/supervise employees and develop, implement and monitor the
effectiveness of a wide range of legal services. Ability to work
effectively with confidential information. Ability to work
effectively with disgruntled employees and members of the public.
Ability to interact effectively with government officials at all
levels.Skill: Excellent people skills. Sensitivity to the political
dynamics of the City. Effective data processing skills including
the application of word processing and spread sheet applications.
Excellent listening skills. Must possess necessary computer skills
to function in a typical law office environment as well as with
software programs regularly used in Somerville city government.
Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday
discomforts typical of indoor environments such as office settings,
with infrequent exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical
surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not
unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business
hours to attend evening meetings.Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those
that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
position's essential functions.Physical SkillsLittle or no physical
demands are required to perform the essential functions of this
position. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work
tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and
standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such
as office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.).Motor
SkillsDuties may involve assignments requiring application of hand
and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination.
Examples include operating a phone system or a personal
computer.Visual SkillsVisual demands include constantly reading
documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.Hours:
Full-TimeSalary: $151,540.50 annually + benefits (negotiable based
on experience and credentials)City of Somerville residents are
especially encouraged to apply.The City of Somerville is an
affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age,
national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women,
minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged
to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in
alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and
procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with
disabilities free of charge, upon request.Persons with disabilities
who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication
(i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or
reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to
access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of
Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x
2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.Benefits Somerville Offers
Keywords: City of Somerville, Somerville , City Solicitor, Other , Somerville, Massachusetts
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