Assistant City Attorney

Salary: $90,705.89 - $150,221.66 Annually
Location : City of Melbourne, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01968
Division: City Attorney
Opening Date: 10/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM VETERAN PREFERENCE

Under the general direction of the City Attorney, or designee, performs professional legal work. Work involves professional responsibility in coordinating and administering all legal matters concerning the City of Melbourne. Serves as advisor and consultant in the resolution of moderately complex legal matters with other legal staff and administrators when necessary. Responsible for representing the city before quasi-judicial bodies, administrative agencies of government, and in court proceedings. Work is characterized by complexity, frequency and heavy work volume. Work is performed with professional independence, subject to minimal supervision of work product and general guidance as to questions of policy and priorities by the City Attorney. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the city.

Assignments may include serving as counsel in one or more of the following areas of local government: Police Affairs; Labor & Employment; Pension; Land Use, Planning & Zoning; Real Property; Public Works, Building & Utilities; Procurement, Contracting & Finance; Legislative Affairs & Election Issues; Code Enforcement; Parks & Recreation; Community Development; Information Technology, Communications & Public Venues; Litigation; Human Resources & Risk Management and other areas of municipal law. Will also be assigned additional duties and responsibilities with other departments at the sole discretion of the City Attorney or his designee. This position reports to the City Attorney or his designee; however, must maintain a close and effective working relationship with Department Directors, as assigned.
Examples of Duties
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

• Keeps the mission, vision and values of the City of Melbourne at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Assists City programs and agencies generating a wide range of issues, such as those involving land use, planning and zoning, labor and employment, code enforcement, construction regulation, sunshine law, public records, ethics, finance, utilities, police matters, general government law, policies and actions.
• Assists City personnel in responding to public records requests to ensure the assertion of any lawful exemptions and compliance with the law.
• Researches and prepares written legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda, as assigned.
• Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
• Advises City officials and city staff on legal questions arising while carrying out their duties, including proper legal interpretation and application of statutes, case law, ordinances, and other regulations.
• Draft and review legal documents including bids, contracts, service agreements, Interlocal agreements, mutual aid agreement and other legal documents.
• Assists with outside counsel, as assigned, and helps coordinate responses to discovery and provide reports to the City Attorney regarding the progress of litigation.
• Provides legal advice and assistance to official municipal advisory boards and committees, as assigned, including Code Enforcement, Planning & Zoning, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Historic Architectural Review Board.
• Represents the City in litigation and appeals in Federal and State courts, as assigned.
• Monitors Federal and State legislation and case law affecting local government issues, as assigned.
• Attends Public hearings, such as quasi-judicial bodies, meetings, administrative agencies of government, and court proceedings, as assigned.
• Familiar with Sections 932.701-932.706, F.S., the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, including real property, motor vehicles, miscellaneous items, and cash by the police department, as assigned.
• Provides legal advice and assistance with Section 790.401, F.S., Risk Protective Orders, as assigned.
• Research and make recommendations on legal questions referred to by the police administration or other department directors, as assigned.
• Provides training to City staff on legal topics, as needed.
• Review police and other city policies, procedures, orders, manuals, and bulletins, to ensure compliance with law.
• Performs legal research and studies in the precedents, case trends, rulings and laws affecting police operations.
• Provides advice to supervisory personnel and Internal Affairs on matters involving Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights, working conditions, the Fair Labor Standards Act, public records law and/or administration of collective bargaining agreements.
• Serves as liaison between a governmental entity and the State Attorney's Office regarding criminal cases, as assigned.
• Attends meetings of police administration or other divisions, bureaus, or sections, as assigned, to advise on legal issues, and relevant legislation and court decisions.
• Perform any additional duties and responsibilities with other departments as assigned by the City Attorney or his designee.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Membership in good standing with The Florida Bar. Have a minimum of five (5) years' experience in local government law and administrative practice or equivalent experience including local government agency practice experience, applicable civil practice experience (including construction, contract, or land use, etc.), legal advisor to a governmental agency, municipality, law enforcement agency or state attorney's office. Valid Florida Driver's License. Other required knowledge, skills or abilities include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of constitutional and statutory law of the United States and the State of Florida as related to City Government.
• Knowledge of City operations and administration, judicial procedures and the rules of evidence, principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
• Ability to analyze legal issues, facts, evidence, and precedents in complex cases to present such materials effectively in oral and written form, prepare complex contracts and other legal instruments and court presentations.
• Ability to conduct research on legal problems and to prepare legal opinions.
• Proficient in the use of computers for purposes of research and drafting of pleadings and correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the work.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.
• Ability to work independently, while taking direction and supervision from the City Attorney or his designee.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations:

• Must be admitted to practice law in Florida and be a member of the Florida Bar. Must be admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, within six (6) months of hiring.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The work is sedentary work and requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: manual dexterity, hearing, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, and visual acuity.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, orally and in writing.
• Ability to hear and understand conversation in English in various tones of voice, as well as accents.
• Ability to see, read, and comprehend letters, numbers, characters, symbols, and words which are in English.
• Ability to work and solve problems under pressure and stress with extreme accuracy.
• Ability to walk, stand, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch and sit for periods longer than 30 minutes.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items which weigh up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Office environment is fast paced.,

Work is typically performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity and responsiveness to changes that include goals, priorities, and needs of the organization and position.
The City of Melbourne offers a generous to include:
• 100% City paid medical insurance for employee only; coverage available for family
• Health Insurance opt-out incentive for employees with other medical coverage
• Dental

. Vision
• Life Insurance in the amount of 1 times your annual salary
• Additional life insurance to include coverage for your spouse and child(ren)
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Plans (FRS, local plan for Police and Fire personnel)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview.By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer to the questions.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Do you currently possess a Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association?

• Yes
• No

03

How many years of experience including local government agency practice experience, applicable civil practice experience (including construction, contract, or land use, etc.), legal advisor to a governmental agency, municipality, law enforcement agency or state attorney's office do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year less than 3 years
• More than 3 years less than 5 years
• More than 5 years less than 7 years
• More than 7 years less than 9 years
• More than 9 years less than 11 years
• More than 11 years

04

Have you been admitted to practice law in Florida and a member of the Florida Bar?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you been admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and U.S. Circuit Cour of Appeals, 11th Circuit?

• Yes
• No

Required Question