Deputy City Attorney

City of Lakewood•Lakewood, WA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the City Attorney, plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive legal services for the City; provide counsel to the City Council, staff, committees, and commissions; may hire, train, assign, supervise, discipline, and evaluate the work of assigned professional and support legal staff; provide legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities; represent the City and supervise and direct representation of the City at various court levels and tribunals in criminal and civil litigation, as well as in administrative hearings; draft and interpret City ordinances, resolutions, policies, and contracts. Serve as Acting City Attorney as required. This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed up on receipt. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for best consideration.

Requirements

A law degree with admission to practice law in the State of Washington
Five (5) years comprehensive legal experience, including increasingly responsible legal management and administrative duties.
Admission to Washington State Bar Association at time of hire and throughout employment in this position.
A valid Washington State driver’s license with a driving record that meets an acceptable standard for safety at the point of hire and throughout employment in this position.
Knowledge of principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training.
Knowledge of theory, structure, and practice of municipal law, particularly as it applies to the Council-Manager form of government.
Knowledge of civil and criminal litigation and appellate techniques.
Knowledge of code enforcement, land use, community development, and public works codes and ordinances.
Knowledge of Public Records Management and Disclosure.
Knowledge of research methods and report writing techniques.
Knowledge of City organization, operations, policies, and objectives.
Knowledge of complex legal record keeping techniques and requirements.
Knowledge of effective public speaking techniques.
Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Knowledge of interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive legal services for the City.
Ability to provide sound and effective counsel to the City Manager, Council, staff, committees, and commissions.
Ability to hire, train, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of assigned professional and support legal staff.
Ability to provide sound and effective legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities.
Ability to represent the City at various court levels and tribunals in civil litigation.
Ability to draft and interpret City ordinances and resolutions.
Ability to prepare and review complex legal documents and instruments.
Ability to negotiate real property acquisitions.
Ability to practice law, identifying legal opportunities to accomplish the City's objectives.
Ability to communicate complex legal issues verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive, effective, and professional manner.
Ability to read, interpret, explain, and apply legal and technical language.
Ability to negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors and service providers.
Ability to resolve conflicts and gain cooperation among conflicting groups.
Ability to design and execute effective trial and appellate strategies in complex cases.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, business leaders, advisory boards, the news media, and the general public.
Ability to understand the City's political environment and sensitivities.
Ability to listen effectively to verbal communication.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle for transportation to off-site meetings and events.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience preferred.
Land use and planning, as well as governmental law experience preferred.
Public Records Act compliance preferred.

Responsibilities

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 regular and special City Council sessions as needed; participate in meetings and conferences with other City boards, commissions, committees, administrative officers, and staff personnel; provide legal advice as required.
Attend and participate in county, regional, and state-wide legal task forces, committees, associations, and organizations.
Coordinate seamless and efficient collaboration between City departments.
Direct or participate in the 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 the City's intent is carried out, compliance with applicable laws is adhered, and protect the City's interest; draft opinion letters as required or requested.
Track legal and policy issues of importance to the City; review legal journals and utilize networks to establish contacts and sources of information relevant to the City; review proposed and enacted state and federal legislation for impact upon the City; recommend appropriate responses where necessary to protect the City's legal interests; analyze legal trends and developments impacting the City; and recommend appropriate City responses of actions.
Monitor recommendations from the City's insurance pool and provide internal training as necessary.
Assure effective representation of the City in litigation, ranging from coordinating insurance defense representing the City in Superior Court in civil and appellate matters.
Manage routine administrative hearings and litigation such as Abatement Hearings, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO), Code Enforcement and matters coming before the Hearing Examiner.
Serve as counsel to assigned departments and as primary counsel to the Planning and Public Works Department.
Participate in decisions related to general City policies and operations; provide legal advice to guide City policies, decisions, and activities; draft and interpret City ordinances and resolutions to include code enforcement, land use, community development; and public works; collaborate with other departments to develop and refine provisions of the Uniform Building Code and related codes; provide advice, counsel, and representation to protect the City's interests.
Actively champion a culture of and commitment to workplace safety through everyday actions and leadership.
May hire, train, assign, supervise, discipline, and evaluate the work of professional and support legal staff; distribute work to assure proper and efficient work flow; Review documents prepared by legal staff to assure proper legal principles and procedures are followed and to assure that legal advice to City clients is accurate, responsive, and sensitive to political and policy considerations.
Perform other duties as assigned.