GENERAL OVERVIEW
**Salary pending adoption by City Council**
The City Attorney is the chief legal officer for the City. Under the direction of the Mayor and as a member of the City's executive team, this position is responsible for the preparation and review of City ordinances and resolutions and provides legal advice and support for all departments of City government as well as to elected officials and advisory bodies of the City. This position is responsible for conducting and supporting all litigation involving the City, which may include supervision of criminal prosecution by the City Prosecutor. The City Attorney works closely with the City Administrator, City Clerk, and the City's insurance authority and attorneys it assigns to handle claims.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Duties:
- Provide guidance to the Mayor, City Administrator, City Council and the City's executive team on matters of procedure, legal interpretation, and policy implementation. This includes preparation and review of legislation, contracts; advising on personnel matters, land use and other regulatory functions; and providing litigation and technical support.
- Attend City Council meetings and meetings of other City bodies as needed, including City Council committees, Planning Commission, and advisory boards.
- Act as parliamentarian as required.
- Conduct investigations or interviews related to legal matters involving the City.
- In collaboration with the City Administrator, address complaints and resolve problems.Assist all departments in preparing Council agenda materials relating to legislation, contracts and other matters; review agendas for completeness and to identify legal issues and problems.
- Direct or participate in drafting and review of letters, ordinances, contracts, resolutions, policies, real estate documents, and other legal documents enacted by the City to assure proper wording, limit the City's liability, assure they carry out the City's intent and to assure compliance with applicable laws, and to protect the City's interests; draft opinion letters as required or requested.
- Function as a member of the executive team of the City by attending staff meetings and assisting the City Administrator and other department heads regarding executive functions.
- Litigate on behalf of the City in civil or administrative actions, including code enforcement matters, and serve as liaison with outside counsel on specialized legal matters.
- May assist Human Resources with negotiations with assigned bargaining groups; and respond to labor group issues as necessary; assist as requested in employee relations issues, personnel policies and other personnel matters involving legal interpretation or advice.
- Participate in the City's short and long-range planning to assure proper consideration of legal issues; identify optional positions for the City on legal matters; negotiate large real property acquisitions.
- Attend and participate in City, County, regional and State wide legal task forces, committees, associations and organizations on a variety of issues.Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skill and Ability:
- Strong background in and knowledge of general municipal law, Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act, land use, zoning, annexation, labor law and contract law.
- Demonstrated ability and experience to handle litigation and advisory legal matters for the City independently and with competence.
- Ability to deal with the public and City staff and officials in a tactful and professional manner.
- Ability to work on complex legal and policy issues in a setting where different objectives and/or adversarial viewpoints may exist.
- Ability to communicate complex legal issues verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive, effective and professional manner.
- Well-developed leadership and management skills.
- Ability to prioritize and delegate workload efficiently.
- Excellent negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness and ability to work collaboratively in a small office environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and specialized software pertinent to legal applications.
- Ability to work under pressure with competing deadlines.Skill and ability to exercise interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, patience, respect, courtesy and discretion in work, including confidential matters.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, citizens, members of boards and commissions, elected and appointed officials, and representatives of other agencies; in person, over the phone and in writing.
- Ability to accurately interpret and apply laws, codes, regulations, policies and proceduresAbility to act in an ethical and conscientious manner on behalf of the City.
- Ability to effectively establish, administer, demonstrate and maintain sound management principles, practices and methods.
- Ability to act as a good steward with public funds and resources.
- Ability to de-escalate disgruntled individuals requiring using conflict management skills while maintaining professional composure.
- Ability to solve problems through innovation, collaborations and solicitation of ideas/input from others.
- Ability to employ excellent conflict resolution skills to manage and resolve controversial situations.
Physical Requirements:
Punctual and consistent attendance.Dress and grooming appropriate to the position.Ability to lift 30 pounds occasionally.Ability to type, answer phones operate office equipment frequently.Ability to drive to and from different worksites in personal vehicle.Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
Supervisory Requirements: This position assumes full responsibility for the City's legal matters. This position supervises the Deputy City Attorney. To be determined upon approval of the organizational structure.
Work Envrionment: Work is primarily performed in an office environment, subject to court appearances with required evening meetings. Travel is required to visit other work sites within the City of Gig Harbor and attend trainings or conferences within the state.
Physical Demands: (The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The City of Gig Harbor provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time. Access to guaranteed, reliable transportation is required as needed. Walking short distances. Reaching, handling and grasping documents, binders, folders and books. Clear speaking and adequate hearing sufficient to communicate effectively and respond appropriately both in person and remotely. Repetitive motions for computer and telephone use. Exertion of force 20 lbs. occasionally and/or 10 lbs. frequently to lift/carry/move objects, files and other materials.
Driving: Driving for this position would typically be less than 5 hours a workweek. If driving on city business, the meet and follow all driving requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education & Experience:
- Doctoral Degree in Law from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with admission to practice law in the State of Washington; AND
- At least five (5) years of experience in municipal law and related area and progressively responsible managerial and administrative duties; AND
- At least two (2) years of full-time experience as a City Attorney in Washington State or worked for a firm as a City Attorney in Washington State.
- Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association; AND
- Valid Washington State driver's license by hire date.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience resolving land use and public works related issues.
Successful Candidate:
- The successful incumbent must submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university or business school, if education is being used to meet the minimum qualification; AND
- Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, as determined by the hiring authority at time of job posting.
Criminal Conviction Standards The successful incumbent will or may have access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system. As a result, the City of Gig Harbor will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which may include fingerprinting.
Please review the following list of disqualifying crimes and negative actions to determine if you meet our standard for this position: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/bccu/documents/Secretary%E2%80%99sCrimesListforALLPrograms.pdf (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This position is exempt from FLSA overtime regulations and is an at-will mayor appointed position. This position will be open until filled. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
***Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant are exempt from public inspection.***
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