The Assistant City Solicitor is responsible for drafting and reviewing legal documents, advising municipal officials, and representing the City’s interests in a variety of legal forums, including administrative and judicial proceedings.
Essential Job Functions:
- Provides legal advice to the Scranton Single Tax Office (STO) and the City Treasury Bureau
- Provides legal assistance and input to STO and Treasury in responding to citizen inquires and complaints on taxes, fees, delinquencies, liens, assessments, and related topics
- Reviews and authorizes all threats of legal action and legal actions to be taken by STO in pursuit of delinquent taxes
- Represents the City in magisterial, state, and federal courts as needed in matters involving taxes
- Prepares and responds to litigation pleadings and discovery relating to STO, Treasury, and related offices
- Advises the Office of Community Development on LERTA
- Negotiates settlements of legal matters and claims
- Provides legal assistance for responding to public records requests
- Drafts ordinances and resolutions involving taxes and related topics
- Researches complex legal issues involving taxes, fees, delinquencies, liens, assessments, and related topics
- Advises department heads and employees on matters specific to their unique circumstances
- Prepares legal documents for STO and Treasury
- Consults with and assists fellow solicitors and attorneys
- Consults with and assists outside counsel
- Performs related work as may be required
Required Training, Experience, Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:
- Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar required
- Experience in and/or knowledge of municipal law preferred, including but not limited to:
- Laws of the Commonwealth
- Real Estate Tax Sale Law
- Local Tax Collection Law
- Local Tax Enabling Act (Act 511)
- Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law
- Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act (LERTA)
- Real estate tax statutes
- Home Rule Charter Act
- Laws of the City of Scranton
- City Home Rule Charter
- Administrative Code
- Taxation Code
- Laws of the Commonwealth
- Experience in and/or knowledge of Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau procedure preferred
- Ability to effectively present a case and advocate for client
- Ability to research and analyze legal issues in a fast-paced environment and advise how to effectively apply said advice on a practical level
- Ability to draft and review legal documents
- Ability to communicate succinctly with elected and appointed officials, City employees, and department heads
- Ability to resolve legal issues in a practical, cost-effective manner
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent skills in the use of personal computers and office software including word processing, databases, and spreadsheets
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Tax Solicitor | Job Description
Last modified: March 3, 2023
