At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city.  As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship Engaged Respectful Visionary Excellence). 

Are you a licensed attorney seeking an opportunity to make a significant impact in municipal law?  The City of Plano is looking for an Assistant City Attorney III and Senior Assistant City Attorney to join our dynamic team.  The ideal candidate will perform advanced municipal legal work, providing advice to City departments, boards, and commissions.  These roles also involve advising on employment law and civil service, open records review or preparing complex construction documents, and providing advice on procurement issues respectively, and much more!

The ideal candidate will have:

• a license to practice law in the State of Texas
• five (5) years (for the Assistant City Attorney III) or eight (8) years (for the Senior Assistant City Attorney) of progressive experience in municipal law.
• experience drafting construction contracts and advising on procurement issues.
• experience in employment and civil service law.

As a valued Team Plano member, you will receive numerous benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation per year
• Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
• Nine paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Free recreation center membership

And so much more! Learn about our benefits here.

Every person matters. Every job has purpose. Together we make a difference. Join Team Plano!

The successful candidate may be offered a position in either the Assistant City Attorney III or the Senior Assistant City Attorney classification.  The salary range for the Assistant City Attorney III is $107,674 - $131,905 annually; for the Senior Assistant City Attorney III position is $118,709 – $145,424 annually.

Assistant City Attorney III (The job description for the Senior Assistant City Attorney is below.) 

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

•      Represents and provides legal advice and opinion to the city in various aspects of municipal law including Civil Service, employment, municipal liability, real estate, legislation, zoning and land use, general liability issues and all other legal matters affecting the City of Plano.
•         Drafts and reviews various legal documents relating to municipal operations including ordinances, resolutions, releases, agreements, written briefs, memos, leases, and other legal documents as required.
•      Negotiates, drafts and reviews contract documents involving various areas of law including but not limited to construction, procurement of goods and services, professional services, interlocal agreements, grant funding agreements, and sole source purchases. Must be familiar with laws regarding bid solicitation, contract award and other aspects of municipal purchasing.
•          Provides legal expertise to assigned departments and boards so that they may operate in conformance with laws and other applicable policies/regulations.  
•          Demonstrates proficiency in researching and formulating recommendations that reflect full understanding of the subject matter, application of law to city operations, and options for risk avoidance or minimization, and impact on public policy.
•          Provides representation in general civil litigation matters; prepares pleadings, briefings, motions, and other documents as required.
•          Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.

Marginal Duties:

•          Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Decisions: Provides legal advice or recommendation of a course of action after research, analysis and evaluation of the situation or matter affecting the city and legal issues affecting such situation or matter.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: State and federal laws affecting municipalities including but not limited to the Texas Local Government Code, and Texas Government Code, specifically in the areas of Civil Service, Procurement, Employment, Health and Safety, the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. Knowledge of municipal procurement law a plus.

Skill in: Demonstrating advanced and highly effective analytical, organization, verbal and written communications skills; interpreting codes, ordinances, statutes, and legislation; drafting effective ordinances, pleadings, and legal documents; managing multiple complex projects simultaneously; developing litigation and transactional strategy.

Education:  Requires graduation from an accredited law school.

Experience:  Five (5) years of progressive experience in municipal law with primary experience in employment and civil service law and with experience in advising boards, commissions, and city departments. Direct experience with representing employer in arbitration hearings for Civil Service matters and other administrative hearings; preparing and responding to pre-hearing motions, discovery, and briefs; preparing the city’s case-in-chief and post-hearing briefings required.

Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above minimum qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Senior Assistant City Attorney 

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

•          Represents and provides legal advice and opinion to the city in various aspects of municipal law which may include Civil Service, employment, municipal liability, real estate, legislation, zoning and land use, general liability issues and all other legal matters affecting the City of Plano.
•          Drafts and reviews various legal documents relating to municipal operations including ordinances, resolutions, releases, agreements, written briefs, memos, leases, and other legal documents as required.
•          Negotiates, drafts and reviews contract documents involving various areas of law including but not limited to construction, procurement of goods and services, professional services, inter-local agreements, grant funding agreements, and sole source purchases.  Must be familiar with laws regarding bid solicitation, contract award and other aspects of municipal purchasing.
•          Provides legal expertise to assigned departments and boards so that they may operate in conformance with laws and other applicable policies/regulations.  
•          Demonstrates proficiency in researching and formulating recommendations that reflect full understanding of the subject matter, application of law to city operations, and options for risk avoidance or minimization, and impact on public policy.
•          Provides representation in general civil litigation matters; prepares pleadings, briefings, motions, and other documents as required.
•          Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.
•          Hybrid work schedule is allowed as set by city policy and at the discretion of the City Attorney.

Marginal Duties:

•          Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Decisions: Provides legal advice or recommendation of a course of action after research, analysis and evaluation of the situation or matter affecting the city and legal issues affecting such situation or matter.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: State and federal laws affecting municipalities including but not limited to the Texas Local Government Code, and Texas Government Code, specifically in the areas of Civil Service, Procurement, Employment, Health and Safety, the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act. Knowledge of municipal procurement law a plus.

Skill in: Demonstrating advanced and highly effective analytical, organization, verbal and written communications skills; interpreting codes, ordinances, statutes, and legislation; drafting effective ordinances, pleadings, and legal documents; managing multiple complex projects simultaneously; developing litigation and transactional strategy.

Education:  Requires graduation from an accredited law school.

Experience:   Eight (8) years of progressive experience in municipal law with primary experience in drafting and reviewing contracts, including, but not limited to, knowledge in the areas of contracts related to construction, goods and services, interlocal agreements, and technology. Requires a strong working knowledge of procurement laws applicable to municipal government.

Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above minimum qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Conditions of Employment: Must pass a drug test, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings) and social security number verification check.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.