Assistant City Attorney - Office of Housing | Contracts & Utilities | Civil Division

City of Seattle, WA•Seattle, WA

43d•Hybrid

About The Position

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney's Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing. The Seattle City Attorney's Office is seeking qualified candidates for an Assistant City Attorney position in the Contracts & Utilities Section of the Civil Division. This position is one of two attorneys who provide legal services to support the City's low-income and affordable housing and community development programs. The attorney will advise Seattle's Office of Housing and City leadership on such housing programs and related agreements. In addition to this opportunity to join a team that is dedicated to public service and that works collaboratively together, the City Attorney's Office offers a generous benefit program which includes paid leave benefits, paid parental and family leave, low-cost health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in a defined benefit retirement program.

Requirements

Three or more years of experience practicing law or a combination of legal experience and relevant experience in affordable housing,
Proficiency in drafting and negotiating complex legal documents,
Demonstrated ability to function successfully in a fast-paced environment,
Effective legal written and oral communication,
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and capacity to provide strategic advice
High attention to detail,
Ability to handle complex assignments independently and a variety of tasks simultaneously
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with City department representatives and other attorneys
Familiarity with affordability covenants, regulatory agreements, condominium documents, lease agreement, and long-term compliance considerations, and
Understanding of complex ownership structures involving not for profit organizations, public entities, for profit entities, community land trusts, and other guarantors.
This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state, with the ability to complete the process of obtaining membership within two months of the offer of employment.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of federal, state, and local affordable housing finance tools and incentive tools, such as the multifamily tax exemption (MFTE) program, Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA), LIHTC, HUD programs (e.g. HOME, CDGB), tax-exempt bond financing, and the Washington State Housing Trust Fund
Passion for providing affordable housing in the City of Seattle
Demonstrated relevant government or business experience, such as working in-house at a municipal entity or advising government entities on affordable housing
An understanding of shared equity homeownership models, including community land trusts and cooperatives
Understanding of how affordable housing policy intersects with racial equity, displacement mitigation, and equitable development
Municipal law practice experience, or a demonstrated interest in public service and law practice, and
The ability to think critically, creatively, and strategically under pressure of tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

Represent and advise the Office of Housing on legal issues related to housing policy with an emphasis on affordable housing.
Review, draft, and advise on city and state legislation and policy matters presented by elected and non-elected officials.
Provide strategic legal advice based on thorough research and analysis of legal issues.
Draft, negotiate, and review complex transaction documents and related agreements, including permanently affordable homeownership transactions.
Draft and negotiate real estate documents, including leases and construction documents of various types, including tax credit and tax-exempt bond transactions, and ensure related transactions are compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
Provide transactional and day-to-day legal advice and identify legal issues and risk.
Carry out job duties in a manner that is consistent with the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Benefits

generous benefit program which includes paid leave benefits, paid parental and family leave, low-cost health benefits, and the opportunity to participate in a defined benefit retirement program.
vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees.
executive leave and eligibility for merit leave.
opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program.

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