Senior Assistant City Attorney

City of Bellevue • Bellevue, WA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Bellevue is hiring a Senior Attorney for its City Attorney’s Office, a 30-member department providing civil advice, litigation, and criminal prosecution. The position is in the Civil Division and provides professional legal services, litigation services, risk analysis, advice, and representation to city government. Its primary focus is advising and supporting departments on transportation, long-range planning, capital projects, neighborhoods and community development, environmental stewardship, and administrative and regulatory land-use and planning decisions, including defending city permitting decisions.

The attorney advises City departments and management on municipal law and day-to-day legal issues; develops strategies for land-use, permitting, planning, environmental review, code compliance, and policy matters; assesses litigation risks; and briefs City Management and City Council. The position also assists with drafting legislation and agreements and represents the City in litigation and administrative or judicial proceedings. Duties are performed under the moderate to general supervision of a Supervising Civil Attorney.

A hybrid work schedule may be available after an initial in-office orientation period. Remote work depends on departmental operational needs, and full-time remote work is not available. Employees must reside in Washington State within reasonable commuting distance of Bellevue City Hall.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Currently licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Washington.
• Minimum of five years of relevant municipal or other government experience.
• Minimum of three years of professional related experience in permitting, land use, planning, environmental matters, code compliance, and/or policy and code development.
• In-depth knowledge of municipal law and other legal requirements applicable to governments.
• Substantial background advising government clients on permitting, land use, planning, the State Growth Management Act, the Local Project Review Act, environmental matters, code compliance, and policy and code development.
• Litigation experience in administrative and court proceedings related to permitting, land use, environmental matters, and/or code compliance.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, including use of Westlaw.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly, logically, and persuasively, adapting communication style to diverse audiences.
• Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations and written communications, with effective listening skills.
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general guidelines and complete assigned projects.
• Good organization, prioritization, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with coworkers, elected officials, City leadership and staff, and the public.
• Ability to assess personal strengths and weaknesses, pursue self-development, and take direction from senior staff.
• Commitment to serving the public.
• Knowledge of the Growth Management Act, Local Project Review Act, Land Use Petition Act, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), municipal law, and development permitting and land-use entitlement processes.
• Experience drafting development regulations, ordinances, resolutions, and administrative procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular oral and written counseling and strategic advice to City departments and management on municipal law.
• Support, advise, and defend City departments and management on administrative and regulatory local land-use decisions.
• Develop responsive legal strategies for permitting, land-use entitlement, planning, environmental review, code compliance, and policy and code development matters, including interpretation and application of development regulations and governing laws.
• Assist City departments in drafting resolutions and ordinances for City Council adoption.
• Respond to state legislation affecting local land-use regulations, rules, and decisions, and advise City departments of legal requirements.
• Draft and review legal documents and contracts, including concomitant agreements, settlement agreements, permit and approval covenants and conditions, and agreements with governmental bodies and third parties.
• Represent the City in litigation, administrative and judicial land-use appeals, and contested matters before administrative and judicial bodies.
• Assess litigation risks and provide briefings to City Management and City Council.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree