Assistant City Attorney - Civil Division - City of Kent

Are you tired of tracking and billing hours? Are you interested in a meaningful job where you are engaged in social concerns and the betterment of the Kent community through work on issues impacting the environment, the safety of area residents, Kent's economic vitality, and efficient and accountable government? Do you desire an easier commute, free parking, the potential for partial remote work, and an office location that is close to bus and train lines? If so, then consider the City of Kent and its current employment opportunity for an Assistant City Attorney supporting its Civil Division. Kent offers competitive pay, a sound retirement system, and excellent medical benefits.

Applicants must be admitted to practice and in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association. Prior municipal law experience is preferred, but not required. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills, and must be able to work as part of a cohesive and collaborative team.

** A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete.

Please note that you cannot attach documents after you have submitted your online application. Additionally, uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application. If you experience problems attaching documents, please contact Human Resources at

Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled upon receipt.

SALARY:

$8,040.00- $12,634.00 monthly, depending on experience.

There is one (1) position that will be filled by this recruitment process. This is a benefited, non-represented position that is exempt from overtime.

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link:

Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Deputy City Attorney, or designee, the incumbent assists the City Attorney by providing a variety of professional legal services to the Chief Administrative Officer, Mayor, City Council, City Administration, City staff, appointed boards, committees, and taskforces.

Work is characterized by a variety of professional attorney services and advice dealing with a wide variety of municipal legal subjects including, but not limited to, the following: land use, building codes, and environmental law; real estate transactions; public finance, business and occupation tax, bankruptcy, and other tax or financial matters; public/private partnerships; public works; utility services; solid and hazardous waste; construction matters; labor, employment, and civil service; public safety; code enforcement; ordinance and resolution preparation; municipal liability; public records disclosure; campaign issues; parliamentary procedure; interlocal agreements; public procurement and contract negotiation; court procedures; and governmental relations. The incumbent must be able to become familiar with new subject matters on short notice. Results of the incumbent’s work are considered to be technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.

Work is performed under limited supervision. The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignments, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on their own initiative in terms of established objectives.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF:

Laws, regulations, court cases, and issues affecting municipal governments

Municipal government organizational structure, operations, policies, objectives, and jurisdiction

Court procedures, court rules, rules of evidence, and Rules of Professional Responsibility

BE SKILLED IN:

Effective oral and written communication

Effective preparation and written and oral presentation of legal and other information to courts, councils, boards, clients, and other audiences of all sizes

Correct use of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary

Review and preparation of various documents and instruments

Performance of legal research, including the use of computer-based legal research systems

Ability to organize, analyze, and evaluate facts, evidence, and legal precedent

Case preparation and litigation techniques

Ability to effectively use interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner

Effectively manage, negotiate, and self-prioritize a variety of simple and complex legal matters

Ability to discern when a matter is potentially controversial, has far reaching implications, or otherwise triggers the need to inform supervisors of work requested by City staff, other clients, and employee’s legal opinion and recommendation regarding the same.

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

Establish and maintain trusting relationships with elected officials, City staff, other clients, and the public

Work with and for a highly proficient team of attorneys and support staff

Maintain professional composure and confidentiality at all times

Appear in court proceedings and in other forums on behalf of, and as the attorney for, the City

Work effectively on several projects, involving a significant range and variety of legal practice areas, concurrently while meeting deadlines

Work independently with minimal supervision and make decisions within broad guidelines

Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

Compose, proofread, and edit general legal briefs, correspondence, routine reports, contracts, and other documents

Apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems and deal with legal issues

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law; and

Experience: Prefer two (2) years of municipal civil legal experience, but not required.

LICENSES AND OTHER INFORMATION:

• Must be a member of the Washington Bar Association and in good standing throughout duration of employment
• Multilingual desirable
• Must be able to successfully pass a position specific background inquiry

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical modern business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, computer and related software, calculator, telephone, copy machine, and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit and talk or hear normally with or without mechanical assistance; occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms; occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with or without assistance.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office, public forum, courtroom, and municipal jail; may be exposed to individuals who are irate, distraught, or hostile, or who have a contagious medical condition; may be required to travel to different sites to conduct City business. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.