Description

Position Summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks a licensed attorney to join the Commercial Law Unit’s Health, Human & Community Services Division.  The ideal candidate is expected to perform the following duties:

•  Advise and represent City departments in grant compliance and contracting matters;
• Provide legal counsel to City departments on compliance with relevant laws, policies, and contract and grant terms and conditions;
• Help develop, draft, and review policies and practices to ensure contracting terms and processes are in compliance with relevant law and grant funding requirements;
• Provide legal counsel on questions arising from the Philadelphia Code, Home Rule Charter, and other applicable areas of law; and
• Draft, review, and negotiate terms and conditions for a variety of contracts including contracts for the procurement of professional services, other goods and services, intergovernmental cooperation agreements, and grant agreements. 

Essential Functions

In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Keeping informed of relevant legal developments and analyzing applicability to the City’s contracting terms and processes; 
• Reviewing, evaluating, and periodically updating form contract and solicitation documents to account for changes in the law and improve the quality of contract documents;
• Communicating with City business stakeholders and subject matter experts, vendors, and others involved in compliance and commercial law matters; 
• Conducting research, drafting legal opinions, and analyzing legal issues related to compliance and commercial law; 
• Reviewing and assisting City departments with the development and drafting of RFPs for professional service contract solicitation;
• Working closely with City departments to review and revise statements of work;
• Interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations, including procurement law, the Philadelphia Code, and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter; 
• Analyzing the risk profile of proposed transactions in consult with the City’s Division of Risk Management; 
• Performing administrative functions related to the practice of law; and 
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and processes. 
• Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions.
• Ability to determine which applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter.
• Ability to efficiently handle multiple transactions and projects. 
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing in a concise and diplomatic manner. Must be able to clearly present and explain complex legal matters to large groups and high-level officials and employ diplomacy in challenging situations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues within complex fact patterns.
• Ability to organize and maintain a high-volume workload.
• Excellent writing, transaction management, negotiation, and drafting skills.
• Ability to use computer programs such as PowerPoint or MS Office.
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking in high-pressure situations.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work on teams and collaborate with colleagues and clients. 
• Title VI experience is a bonus.

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• Assistant City Solicitor applicants must have at least one (1) year of relevant experience, and within a legal setting is preferred.
• Deputy City Solicitor applicants should have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant legal experience. Legal experience should ideally include some or most of those described under Essential Functions.
• Candidates must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and must either be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department.

Additional Information 

Did you know?

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.  Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more. 
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options are available. 

Interested candidates should apply through SmartRecruiters: https://smrtr.io/tMhbM 

Applicants should also include at least three (3) professional references in their submission. Any questions related to this position should be directed to Amanda Stewart Hause, Chief Deputy City Solicitor (amanda.stewart.hause@phila.gov). 

Successful candidate must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr @phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx