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 particular, the Departments of Public Health and Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, in contracting and grant compliance 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 agreements, facility use agreements, and grant agreements.
Essential Functions
The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.
• 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 business and commercial law matters;
• Conducting research, drafting legal opinions, and analyzing legal issues related to procurement, 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.
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.
• Assistant City Solicitor applicants must have at least one (1) year of relevant experience, 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.
Work Location & Onsite Expectations
This position is designated as fully onsite and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.
Who Thrives in This Role
This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making decisions in real time, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and references.
Salary Range: Assistant: $83,945 to $94,686; Deputy: $97,299 to $117,022; Commensurate with education and experience
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
• 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 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
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
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