General Statement of Duties This position reports, in person, to the Law Department in the Real Estate Division. The City of Cincinnati Solicitor’s Office (Law Department) is seeking an attorney to serve in the Real Estate Division as a Real Estate Attorney/Senior Assistant City Solicitor. The Real Estate Division of the Law Department oversees the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and management of City-owned real property and real property interests. The division works on both public and private projects that involve City-owned property and real property interests. The Real Estate Attorney/Senior Assistant City Solicitor serves as the primary attorney for evaluating and implementing real property transactions for the City, including purchases, sales, leases, easements, licenses, dedications, and vacations. The successful candidate will be able to effectively interpret laws, rules, and regulations governing real estate transactions; possess substantial experience in diligencing, structuring, documenting, and implementing real estate transactions, including possessing an understanding of local acquisition, disposition, recording, and entitlement processes; have strong organizational, communication, and project-management skills; and be able to monitor legal risk and advise City internal clients appropriately, while ensuring that appropriate approvals are in place prior to execution of real estate transactions. Common tasks the Real Estate Attorney is expected to accomplish include researching and reviewing title matters and existing real-estate documents to advise clients on compliance and risk; draft and edit all manner of real estate documents, including purchase contracts, leases, easements, and licenses, and prepare and prepare related legislation; and review and comment on plats, including dedication and vacation plats. In addition to a demonstrated proficiency in real estate transactions, the ideal candidate will have substantial experience in managing real estate transactions for a government or large organization; understand real property valuation and have experience litigating real property tax appeals; have a working knowledge of DOT rules and procedures governing acquisitions for transportation projects; have a working knowledge of corporate structures, particularly LLCs and corporations; have an understanding of planning, permitting, entitlement, and incentive processes, including subdivision and right-of-way dedication/vacation processes. Candidates must possess excellent oral and written communication skills; creative-yet-practical legal thinking; demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, adaptability, and self-awareness; and be able to work independently and efficiently in prioritizing and performing assigned responsibilities. Excellent drafting, research, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills are required. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to public service and understanding of government operations. Candidates should possess a minimum of five years relevant legal experience and must be licensed in Ohio. The City of Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer. The salary for the position will be competitive commensurate with experience and skill set. Minimum Qualifications (KSAs) Knowledge of: <ul> <li> Modern and complex principles and practices of real estate, municipal law, and contracts.</li> <li> Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and their past applications.</li> <li> Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of local governments, including methods of public administration.</li> <li> Awareness of the organization, duties, powers, authority, policies, and procedures of both the Law Department in general and the Real Estate Division.</li> <li> Methods and techniques of legal research.</li> <li> Ethical standards as applied to the City Solicitor’s Office and public employees in Ohio.</li> </ul> Ability to: <ul> <li> Work independently on complex projects, while asking appropriate questions and proactively anticipating client needs.</li> <li> Work collaboratively and congenially in a team and develop strong working relationships within the office and the broader municipal corporation.</li> <li> Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with non-lawyers, and distill substantive legal issues for non-lawyers in a concise and effective manner.</li> <li> Organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex legal problems.</li> <li> Prepare clear, concise, and effective legal position papers, opinions, legislation, contracts, and pleadings.</li> <li> Anticipate, avoid, and resolve potential or pending legal issues in litigation or municipal real estate transactions.</li> <li> Represent the Law Department in City Council meetings, City boards, community meetings, administrative hearings, and in court.</li> <li> Oversee outside counsel on real estate matters.</li> <li> Practice effective time management and resource prioritization in order to meet deadlines and provide excellent customer service.</li> <li> Research legal issues through LexisNexis and other available applications.</li> <li> Interact with elected officials, City administration, community stakeholders, and the general public.</li> </ul> Required Education and Experience Education and Experience: <ul> <li> Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited academic institution.</li> <li> Licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.</li> </ul> ** Applicants must attach resume, letter of interest, degree/transcript, and license to practice law in the State of Ohio. Working and Physical Conditions EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED: Specific: <ul> <li> Review and draft municipal ordinances amending zoning codes and zoning maps.</li> <li> Defend the City’s interests in state and federal litigation related to land development.</li> <li> Review and draft agreements, contracts, memoranda, rules and regulations, and other documentation related to the development, use, and management of public buildings and spaces.</li> <li> Interact regularly with City decision makers, elected officials, and community stakeholders in connection with permitting, planning, and infrastructure matters.</li> <li> Draft complex legal opinions and provide timely guidance to City clients concerning land use, contract, real estate, and infrastructure matters.</li> <li> Effectively prioritize the use of division resources in providing the above-described legal services for the City.</li> </ul> General: <ul> <li> Collaborate and support Law Department leadership, colleagues, and administrative staff within the division.</li> <li> Research legal questions and evaluate the impact on City policies and procedures.</li> <li> Provide legal guidance and written legal opinions to City departments and other City clients.</li> <li> Appear in court and administrative proceedings to represent the City's interests as required.</li> <li> Coordinate office activities with those of other City departments, outside agencies, and organizations; provide necessary assistance to the City Solicitor; prepare and present reports and other office correspondence.</li> <li> Review legal publications to keep abreast of current legal issues and cases; attend seminars to keep abreast of new laws.</li> <li> Prepare various legal memoranda and correspondence.</li> <li> Respond to citizen complaints as assigned.</li> <li> Represent the City Solicitor’s Office at a variety of City boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional groups and committees.</li> <li> Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.</li> </ul> Environmental Conditions: Work in an office setting plus occasional remote work; exposure to computer screens; need to work closely with others. Physical Conditions: Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Applications for City positions are considered public records under Ohio’s Public Records Act. As a public record, applications maintained by the City shall be made available to any person requesting to view them. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Reasonable accommodation for qualified people with disabilities. To help us achieve the City’s goal of recruiting qualified persons with disabilities, please self-identify at the time of application and at employment interviews. Help the City help you! All offers extended to candidates are contingent upon successful completion of a physical evaluation/drug screen and background check. An applicant with a positive drug test result may not be considered for any position with the City of Cincinnati for a period of one year. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. Our on-line application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Help Desk between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM Pacific Time Monday - Friday at 1-855-524-5627. For inquiries, please contact Lisa Kunz, Law Department, Room 214, City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Lisa.Kunz@cincinnati-oh.gov <ul> <li>Please submit resume, letter of interest, college degree/transcript, and law license with application.</li> </ul> The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting. The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units. The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques. Equal Employment Opportunity The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws. Holidays The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day President's Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas Health Insurance The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan. Eligible dependents include: Legal Spouse or Equal Partner Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order") Step-child Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian Basic Life Insurance A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group. Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors. Flexible Benefits Plans Healthcare Flex Spending Account City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members. Dependent Care Flex Spending Account City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses. Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount. Healthy Lifestyles Program City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan. Retirement Plan The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees. Deferred Compensation As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.

REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY/SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY SOLICITOR

City of Cincinnati