Job Description
Salary: GS.15E $83,118 - $122,526 a year
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*
Work Location: City Hall Annex
FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.
Department: City Attorney
SERIES LEVEL:
The Staff Attorney 1 is the first level in a two-level staff attorney series.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)
Tracks legal developments to monitor compliance with applicable laws.
Drafts, reviews, and negotiates ordinances, amendments, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, permits, licenses, and other legal instruments.
Provides legal advice to City Council, Department Administrators, Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and City staff, and participates in the formulation of City policies.
Reviews, interprets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, county, and city constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, court decisions, laws, and other legal entities.
Prepares, reviews, and negotiates a variety of legal documents, offerings, and requests for information, which may include motions; pleadings; memorandums; immunity agreements; defense claims; legal opinions; petitions; special actions; briefs; subpoenas; contractual agreements; court coverage instructions; and related activities.
Represents the City, its officers, and employees in all litigation, including preparation of dockets, anticipating defense, presenting evidence, developing case theory, pleadings, briefs, motions, and other documents, preparation and trial of legal matters, and handling of appeals; and appears before all Federal and State courts and administrative agencies. Assists in the collection of debts and damages due to the City.
Assists in the enforcement of City ordinances and codes and City traffic regulations; participates in coordinating and facilitating related prosecution activities.
Monitors the status of cases for the filing of legal papers and payment of civil penalties.
Provides legal counsel to the City department(s) regarding applicable codes, ordinances, statutes, and laws. Attend department meetings to communicate and obtain information.
Conducts public hearings and coordinates public comment period.
Responds orally and in writing to complaints, public comments, and inquiries from the general public.
Reviews Local ordinances, State codes, Federal laws and statutes, and the U.S. Constitution to resolve legal issues.
Prepares correspondence, memos, briefings, management reports, and other documents.
Coordinates filing of legal advertisements with the County Clerk, newspapers, and others.
Serves as custodian for ordinances, Board minutes, docket files, and other legal documents.
Must meet regular attendance requirements.
Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.
Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university; five (5) years of practicing civil law strongly preferred.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver's License
Licensure to practice law in the State of Tennessee, admission to Tennessee and Federal courts, and good standing with the Tennessee Supreme Court are required.
Must hold a license to practice in state and federal courts in Tennessee and possess a strong working knowledge of Tennessee and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Operations, services, and activities of a City Attorney's office; duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of a City Attorney; applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and/or statutes; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; methods and techniques used in the review and settlement of lawsuits; methods and techniques of prosecuting violations of municipal codes; caseload management techniques; legal research methods; principles of civil, constitutional, and administrative law; principles and procedures of municipal, superior, and appellate court proceedings; drafting and negotiating contracts; organization, functions and legal limitations on authority of various City departments; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
Ability to provide responsible assistance to the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney; research, analyze, and apply case law, legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems. Ability to analyze situations and offer legal advice and counsel. Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; draft legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, and contracts; draft clear and effective policies, memoranda, opinions, and correspondence; interpret, explain, and enforce department and/or City policies and procedures; prepare and try cases in federal, state, and municipal court, and in administrative law forums; draft effective and persuasive legal pleadings and responses to legal pleadings; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand and follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and members of the public.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. May work irregular hours, including evenings.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check
KJS 10.28.2026
