Position Summary
The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks an attorney to join the Commercial Law Unit’s Contracts & Procurement Division. The ideal candidate is expected to perform the following duties:
- Advise and represent City departments, in particular, the Procurement Department and the Capital Programs Office, in contracting matters;
- Draft, review, and negotiate terms and conditions for a variety of contracts including contracts for the procurement of goods and services, professional services contracts, intergovernmental cooperation agreements, public works contracts, construction management agreements, facility use agreements, intergovernmental agreements, and grant agreements;
- Help develop, draft, and review policies and practices to ensure contracting terms and processes are in compliance with relevant law and federal funding requirements; and
- Provide legal counsel on questions arising from the Philadelphia Code, Home Rule Charter, and other applicable areas of law.
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 to improve the quality of contract documents;
- Communicating with City business stakeholders and subject matter experts, vendors, and others involved in commercial law matters;
- Conducting research, drafting legal opinions, and analyzing legal issues related to procurement, construction, and commercial law;
- Reviewing and assisting City departments with the development and drafting of solicitation documents;
- 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 consultation 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.
- Excellent writing, transaction management, negotiation, and drafting skills.
- Ability to use computer programs such as 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.