Description

The City of Pittsfield is seeking an experienced and highly skilled City Solicitor to lead all legal affairs of the City. Reporting to the Mayor, the Solicitor serves as chief legal counsel, providing advice to the Mayor, City Council, School Department, boards, and agencies, while prosecuting and defending matters in state and federal courts.

This role oversees the City’s legal strategy, prepares and reviews contracts, ordinances, and policies, and ensures compliance with municipal, state, and federal law. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, exceptional judgment, and the ability to navigate complex legal challenges in a collaborative public sector environment.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to promoting a multicultural work force, excellence in public service, and on-going mutual respect in our working relationships. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply for our open positions - recognizing and respecting that diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to our public service. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for all legal affairs involving the City of Pittsfield; responsible for the administration of the City's law department functions as dictated by City Code, Massachusetts General Law, and Federal law.            

Makes frequent contact with other City departments, City Councilors, public officials, other attorneys and their clients, and has occasional contact with the general public; furnishes legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City Departments, School Department, boards, committees, etc.  

Represents the City, its boards, agencies, departments, and officials in the prosecution of all actions and other legal proceedings and suits on its or their behalf.     

Represents the City's interests in any matter before the Federal, Superior, Appeals, and Supreme Judicial courts, all administrative agencies of the Commonwealth and the District Court in which the interest and welfare of the City and its officials and employees may be directly or indirectly affected.         

Attends and provides legal advice at all meetings of the City Council and meetings of other City boards and commissions as required/requested. 

Communicates with attorneys representing private and public interest, judges, court personnel, etc.     

Researches and renders opinions as to various legal issues which impact the City and its various boards, commissions and agencies; responsible for the preparation, filing, and provision of pleadings, discovery documents, briefs, etc. for court and administrative proceedings, as well as contracts, leases, conveyances, ordinances, deeds, and other legal documents/instruments as needed and/or requested.              

Performs administrative tasks related to preparation of annual department budget and report; participates in department/staff meetings.    

Prepares and approves proposed ordinances for final adoption.            

Performs other duties as required or necessary.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited institution    

Ten (10) years or more of experience in the practice of law, with previous experience in municipal law required.

 Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.    

Licensed attorney admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as in federal courts. 

Must possess extensive knowledge of municipal law, previous professional experience in the following areas: civil trial and appellate practice, administrative, environmental, zoning and land use, public sector, worker's compensation, civil service law areas.       

Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles, knowledge, and judgment to complex legal problems.

 Ability to meet and effectively deal with persons interested or involved in suits against the City; ability to deal effectively and in a collaborative manner with elected officials and other City employees.       

Ability to plan and supervise the work of other professional staff in Law Department.    

Excellent interpersonal skills; must be able to readily comprehend business objectives; clearly and concisely articulate legal implications, alternatives, and ramifications.          

Must be a strong advocate on behalf of City objectives and positions; highly skilled negotiator; discerns and clarifies essential issues.

WORKING CONDITIONS (The characteristics described here are representative of those that the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations are considered to ensure individuals with disabilities can perform essential functions.)

This is an office-based job in a dynamic municipal building. While performing the duties of the Solicitor, the incumbent is required to: interact and communicate frequently with the public, government officials, other staff members and boards, and/or third parties transacting business with the City. Requires periodic attendance at public meetings outside of normal working hours. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations are considered to ensure individuals with disabilities can perform essential functions.)

Occasional walking, standing and climbing; regularly uses computer keyboards requiring eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity; may involve travel to meetings and other communities. Must lift/push/pull up to 15lbs

HOURS

Monday – Friday, 35 Hours per week 8:30AM – 4:00PM, evening meetings as required

SALARY

$111,222.49 - $144,589.24