City Solicitor

City Solicitor

Competition Number: 24/267

Posting Scope: Internal / External

Posted Date: October 11, 2024

Closing Date: November 12, 2024, 4:30 PM PST

Department: Legal Services

Posting Type: Continuous (Regular Full-Time)

Work schedule: Monday to Friday (35 hour work week)

Salary: Pay Band L4 ($213,569.41 to $243,351.08)

Job Code: 3132

Employee Group: This is an Exempt position

Number of Vacancies: 1

The City of Victoria is seeking a highly skilled and experienced City Solicitor to serve as the chief legal advisor, working directly under the City Manager. This pivotal role requires delivering professional and effective legal services and advice across various legal matters, including governance, land use, contracts, and litigation.

This is a unique opportunity to play a critical role for the City of Victoria. The successful candidate will have the chance to lead a talented legal team, manage significant legal issues, and provide strategic advice to City leadership.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the City Solicitor serves as the City’s chief legal advisor responsible for delivering professional, competent, and effective legal services and advice to the City of Victoria. The in-house Legal Services Department, overseen by the City Solicitor, handles most of the City’s legal matters, excluding those related to labour law.

Major Accountabilities

• Provide collaborative leadership and ensure that the City Manager, Council, Committees and senior staff receive timely and effective advice on a broad range of legal matters, including administrative, constitutional, local government, land use and development, property, and contract law.
• Provide leadership, guidance and support to the Legal Services team (currently four lawyers and a legal assistant) and manage external legal counsel retained to provide specialized legal services. Lead the recruitment, retention, and development of Legal Services staff.
• Proactively monitor and advise on legal risks related to City’s functions and operations.
• Prepare, review and deliver written and oral legal opinions to the City Manager, Council, committees of Council and senior executive staff. Attend all Council meetings and other committee meetings as required.
• Advise on governance matters, including procedural issues that may arise during Council or Committee meetings.
• Manage the City’s litigation and dispute resolution matters, including acting for the City in civil litigation, judicial reviews, and enforcement of City bylaws and other relevant offences, or direct legal counsel retained to represent the City.
• Direct the drafting and revising municipal bylaws and make recommendations for the enactment and repeal of bylaws to further the Council's policy objectives.
• Provide strategic drafting and negotiating advice on complex real estate transactions, contracts, leases and covenants, and participate in the negotiation of agreements.
• Review new provincial and federal legislation and make recommendations relating to the applicability of such legislation to the City.
• Liaise with the provincial government regarding legislative amendments benefitting the City as required.
• Develop and manage Legal Services work plan and budget.
• Support and identify process and procedural improvements that lead to making City operations more efficient and effective.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
• Current membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.
• Minimum of 10 years of related experience preferably practicing in-house with local government or a law firm providing legal services to local government in British Columbia.
• A strong understanding of local government law, including extensive knowledge of fundamental principles and practices related to local government governance, legislation, municipal bylaws, and policies and procedures.
• Experience providing direct legal advice to senior staff and elected officials in a local government setting.
• Experience in a management or supervisory role, coupled with strong leadership skills.
• Ability to work with a complex set of stakeholders and build and maintain positive and effective relationships.
• Exemplary interpersonal, communication (oral and written) and problem-solving skills.

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to create an online profile or log back into our career portal at www.victoria.ca/jobs - only online submissions will be considered. All applications must be submitted online by 4:30 pm on the closing date noted on the posting. Please be prepared to provide proof of qualifications as outlined in your resume.

The City of Victoria is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces, and services. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve and aim to become. Individuals who are Indigenous, racialized, immigrants, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, or facing any additional barriers are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be available upon request throughout the application and selection process.

If you require assistance, please email us at careers@victoria.ca.