Assistant City Attorney - Real Estate

You can do great work and love what you do with the City of Delaware. We are an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and the innovative spirit of all our employees. The City of Delaware is an award-winning local government organization known for its professionalism, customer service orientation and a strong commitment to distinctive and well-planned community development. The work environment is stable with excellent benefits and retirement packages. Our mission is to ensure an effective government, a healthy economy, being a safe city and welcoming you to be a part of this great community!   

Under the direction of the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney serves as a principal expert in a specific field of law, for this position primarily real estate or land use. The position manages key projects involving the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and management of City-owned property. In addition, it is responsible for evaluating, structuring, and implementing real estate transactions that foster growth while ensuring all legal requirements are met. Regular and reliable attendance is required. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101

1. Evaluate, structure, and implement real estate transactions for the City, including purchases, sales, leases, easements, licenses, and dedications.
2. Review and research title matters, providing legal guidance on compliance and risk related to real estate transactions.
3. Draft, review, and negotiate real estate documents such as purchase contracts, leases, easements, licenses, and related agreements.
4. Review plats and provide legal advice on dedication and vacation processes.
5. Prepare and advise on relevant legislation to support real estate transactions.
6. Work with City staff to ensure all necessary approvals are obtained before executing transactions.
7. Monitor potential legal risks and provide proactive, practical advice to internal stakeholders to ensure smooth real estate transactions.
8. Assist in managing real estate matters related to public infrastructure and development projects.
9. Provide legal advice regarding property valuation, tax appeals, and other real estate issues.
10. Interact with elected officials, City staff, and community stakeholders to support real estate development projects. 
11. Represent the legal department in City Council meetings, City boards, community meetings, administrative hearings, and in court as required. 
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

• Modern and complex principles of real estate, municipal law, and contracts. 
• Real property valuation
• Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and procedures governing acquisitions for transportation projects. 
• Planning, permitting, entitlement, and incentive processes, including subdivision and right-of-way dedication/vacation processes. 
• Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, Sharepoint, OneNote, and Teams) and other computer software.
• City and Department goals and objectives.
• City and Department policies and procedures.
• Municipal Council-City Manager Government structure and process.
• Standard office procedures.
• The City of Delaware Charter and Delaware Code of Ordinances, the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Ohio and Federal Rules of Evidence, and the Ohio Code Professional Responsibility.
• All stages of the justice system and of municipal government; court procedures and applicable rules.

SKILLS

• Excellent organization, attention to detail, accuracy, time management, and critical thinking skills.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Civic engagement and customer service.
• Dealing courteously and diplomatically with the public, city officials, colleagues, the Court and court personnel. 
• Legal research and writing.

ABILITIES

• Independently learn, understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations.
• Deal with many variables, define and solve problems, collect, analyze, and interpret data, establish facts, and determine specific action.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality about information within the office.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Prepare correspondence.
• Compile and prepare reports.  
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
• Maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively, both in oral and written form and to prepare and present effective public presentations.   
• Exercise independent judgement and discretion.
• Work in a professional office environment.
• Conduct extensive legal research.
• Plan, organize and prepare various motions, legal memoranda, related documents, and correspondence with a high degree of professional competence.