Assistant City Solicitor – Property Assessment, Boards & Commissions Unit – Boards & Commissions Division

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Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. We provide legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Property Assessment, Boards & Commissions Unit (PABC) in the Corporate & Tax Group counsels the Office of Property Assessment on issues related to the assessment of all real property throughout the City and applications for tax abatements and tax exemptions. The PABC also represents the Office of Property Assessment in all appeal hearings litigated before the Board of Revision of Taxes. Through its Boards & Commissions Division, the PABC provides advice, counsel, and representation to a growing number of boards and commissions that render decisions impacting many aspects of City life. Services include hearing preparation and participation, as well as the preparation of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for appeals of board/commission decisions filed with the Court of Common Pleas. With a staff of five attorneys and two paraprofessionals, the Division currently provides legal services to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Board of License and Inspection Review, the Fair Housing Commission, the Water, Sewer & Stormwater Rate Board, and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, in addition to other boards and commissions.

Position Summary

The City of Philadelphia seeks a licensed attorney with 1-3 years of experience in administrative law to serve as counsel to largely adjudicatory City boards and commissions, including, but not limited to, the Board of License and Inspection Review, the Board of Building Standards, and the Plumbing Advisory Board. The successful applicant will counsel and provide legal advice to these boards and commissions (and others) as needed, as well as attend hearings to provide immediate guidance. For decisions of a represented board or commission appealed to the Court of Common Pleas, the successful applicant will compile and file with the Court the Certified Record and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, in accordance with the applicable Case Management Order. The various City administrative boards represented by the Boards and Commissions Division have a high-volume litigation practice which can involve complex (and at times high-profile and politically sensitive) matters. This is a demanding but rewarding position within a team of committed, supportive attorneys and paraprofessionals.

Essential Functions

The duties of the Assistant City Solicitor in the Boards and Commissions Division will consist of but are not limited to:

• Reviewing matters filed with boards/commissions, including notices of appeal, motions, briefs, and other filings, and advising on appropriate actions/responses
• Conducting case reviews with board/commission members to ensure that board/commission members are aware of potential issues within an appeal
• Advising and counseling assigned boards/commissions and their administrative staff on the requirements of due process, the Sunshine Act, and applicable ethics laws to help ensure compliance
• Preparing and filing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for board/commission decisions appealed to the Court of Common Pleas
• Compiling the Certified Record, inclusive of all documents submitted to the board/commission, and filing said record with the Court of Common Pleas
• Assisting boards/commissions and their administrators in ensuring that decisions and vote sheets are clear and concise
• Attending meetings with other City departments and clients as a representative of assigned boards/commissions
• Conducting legal research and drafting memoranda on legal, policy, procedural, or other issues

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and advise on evidentiary matters
• Ability to determine what applicable laws and regulations apply to a specific matter
• Ability to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing so that others (including those without legal training) will understand
• Ability to advise board/commission members on procedural and practical aspects of administrative litigation, objections, Sunshine Act, due process, and similar concerns, as well as to communicate this information to the board/commission’s administrative staff
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Strong organizational skills, ability to self-direct, and ability to prioritize, plan work, and manage projects independently considering the substantial caseload of the position
• A collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• Excellent judgment and the ability to identify potential issues
• The ideal candidate will have civil litigation and administrative law experience of 1-3 years. The candidate must have the knowledge, ability, and patience to advise board members in fast-paced hearings. Knowledge of the Philadelphia Code and Local Agency Law is preferred. A working knowledge of the City of Philadelphia government is also helpful. The following competencies are vital to this position: the ability to relate well with people, provide reinforcement and encouragement, and offer suggestions and advice on how to improve. Attention to detail and the ability to prioritize assignments is also critical.
• General knowledge of the Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas procedures, relevant case law, and board/commission regulations, is also preferred.

• Assistant City Solicitor applicants must have one (1) year plus of relevant experience, and within a legal setting is preferred.
• 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.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $81,500 to $91,928 – Commensurate with education and experience

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Hilary Emerson, Divisional Deputy City Solicitor, Boards & Commission Division, Property Assessment, Boards & Commissions Unit (hilary.emerson@phila.gov).

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• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
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• 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