City Attorney

This position acts as the Civil City Attorney providing professional legal services, advice and presentation to City Government. This position is a member of the City’s leadership team.

Primary functions include representing the City in litigation, providing legal advice at the advanced level to the City Council, City Manager, City departments and various boards and commissions.  This position handles a variety of issues including drafting ordinances, resolutions, documents, and rendering legal opinions.   

• Provide ongoing legal advice to city officials, department heads and employees; investigate and obtain necessary information to understand question/response.
• Obtain necessary information, review applicable law (statutes, court decisions, ordinances, regulations) to understand question/response; prepare and respond to follow up inquiries.
• Serve as liaison with outside legal counsel on specialized legal issues; advise council of legal conditions and current/future trends.
• Prepare and review ordinances and resolutions relying on specific needs and sample ordinances obtained from other sources; determine ordinance codification; finalize ordinance, prepare report to council on ordinance and respond to questions regarding application of ordinance; approve ordinances, resolutions and contracts prepared by others.
• Reviews and analyzes legislation for impact on the City; works with legislators to develop or influence legislation; recommends revisions to proposed legislation.
• Represents the City in legal proceedings as well as drafting and preparing associated memoranda, motions, beliefs and pleadings to be filed in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.
• Prosecute ordinance violation cases; provide legal representation and prepare legal documents, backs up City Prosecutor in their absence. 
• Represent the City and the City Manager to management staff, elected officials, and outside agencies; create, present and explain City programs, policies, and activities; and negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Proactively monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; and direct the implementation of changes.
• Attend City Council meetings and represent the City Manager as needed; interpret and ensure City Manager and City Council policies are understood and achieved; resolve or participate in resolving citizen complaints.
• Maintain regular contact with and keep the City Manager apprised of situations and issues.
• Actively take part in the advancement and promotion of an organization that is here to support and meet the needs of the customer, both internally and externally.

• Timely and regular attendance.
• Follow/adhere to all city policies and procedures, and safety program regulations and requirements.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

 Knowledge of:

• Council-Manager form of government and the role of communication in support of City Manager and Council. 
• Municipal law and common, State and Federal law as well as constitutional law affecting City Government including administrative, contracts, insurance, land use torts, public utilities, labor law, transportation, criminal law, constitutional law, government/administrative law, public records, and municipal finance.
• Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act.
• Knowledge of legal principals, federal, state and local laws and the methods, procedures, and practices used in the preparation of legal instruments.
• The organization, powers, and limitations of municipalities.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Broad knowledge of city policies, procedures, priorities and department operations.
• Mastery of written, verbal, and visual communications skills.
• Skill in communication planning and implementation.
• Modern office methods, procedures and practices.
• Principles and practices of professional business communication methods; proper use of the English language, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• City government functions, policies, rules and regulations; federal, state and local laws, and codes and regulations.

 Ability to:

• Provide leadership, counsel and sound legal opinions.
• Represent the City in various civil and criminal proceedings.
• Prepare sound legal opinions.
• Understand the political environment and sensitivities and ability to function within that environment.
• Deal with the public, city staff, and elected officials in a tactful and professional manner.
• Research and analyze comprehensive legal issues and documents.
• Present facts, arguments and laws clearly and logically in written or oral form.
• Draft ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other legal instruments including pleadings and briefs.

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing in the English language. 
• Develop and utilize effective negotiation skills.
• Prioritize tasks and coordinate efforts.
• Manage multiple tasks and complete projects on a deadline.
• Maintain professionalism and effectiveness while working under pressure.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work independently, cope with interruptions and changes, prioritize tasks and coordinate efforts to meet required timelines.
• Perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions or similar behaviors, attributes or requirements associated with a job.  

•    Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree;
•    Member of the Washington State Bar Association;
•    Five or more years of progressively responsible related experience in civil and/or criminal litigation in a municipal environment;
•    Experience in local municipal government.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements:
•    Maintain membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
•    Possession of a valid driver’s license.
•    Must successfully pass all phases of the pre-employment hiring process, including but not limited to, reference checks and a criminal background check.

Work is primarily performed inside in an office setting with extended periods at a computer, sitting or standing. Basic communications skills such as talking, seeing and hearing are needed for frequent person-to-person contacts, computer and telephone usage. Attendance at evening City Council and/or board meetings is required.

Salary : $10,080 - $11,982