Assistant City Attorney IV

Assistant City Attorney (IV)

Under general direction from the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney (IV) provides specialized legal services, including advice and representation for all City departments, requiring considerable experience, discretion and independent judgment. Provides the City Attorney, Mayor and Senior City staff with analysis of complex legal issues for assigned departments. Assists in development of policies and procedures. Develops expertise in specific areas of municipal law such as litigation/tort defense, land use/real estate, public utilities, or police legal advisor. Works directly with elected officials, department heads, city boards and commissions and outside agencies.

Works independently subject to guidance by City Attorney or Senior Attorneys. May supervise junior attorneys and support staff in specific projects or areas of expertise. This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received.

Assistant City Attorneys have the unique opportunity to develop specialization in various areas of municipal law such as land use/planning, human resource/labor law, and/or utilities/public works. The following Responsibilities and Requirements are skills the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform, unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

• Engage in a broad range of legal representation of all City departments, officials and employees.
• Draft ordinances, regulations, contracts, proposals for state legislation and other legal documents.
• Draft, review, and assist in the administration of City contracts and other procurement.
• Conduct legal research, and provide oral and written opinions on major substantive, procedural, and administrative issues to major City departments, boards and commissions.
• Attend meetings of City Council boards and commissions as legal advisor to City officials.
• Prepare and conduct major litigation before federal, state, and local courts, and administrative agencies and other adjudicative bodies.
• Negotiate and recommend settlement of claims filed against the City.
• Analyze changes in state and federal laws and court decisions and provide legal guidance to City departments as to method of compliance with new requirements.
• Provide legal assistance and guidance to other attorneys within specific area of expertise.
• Participate as active member (non-legal role) in various City administrative and management projects.
• The individual who holds or desires the position may develop a focus on a specific area of municipal law depending on their experience including litigation/tort defense, land use/real estate, public utilities, or police legal advisor.
• Perform other related work as requested or required.

Requirements of work include making difficult and complex decisions quickly, expressing legal concepts in clear and concise language, knowledge of municipal law, organizing and managing own work, fostering professional relationships, exercising good moral character, preparing legal analyses, communicating effectively, and using a computer and software necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Working conditions and physical demands involve working primarily in an office setting, attending meetings, potentially irregular hours and out-of-town travel, communicating verbally and by telephone, and using a computer terminal with repetitive arm-hand movements.

Minimum qualifications include a Juris doctor or equivalent degree, membership in Washington State Bar Association, ten (10) years' experience in the practice of law, and admission to Washington State Bar Association. Behavioral standards include maintaining the highest standards of ethics, responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fairness in carrying out public duties, avoiding any improprieties, and never using City position, authority or resources for personal gain.