Assistant City Attorney (Civil)

About the role

Join the City of SeaTac Legal Department and contribute to an organization grounded in the City’s core values of Accountability, Collaboration, Trustworthiness, Social Responsibility, and Emotional Intelligence. As an Assistant City Attorney, you will embody these values by providing clear, responsible, and community-minded legal guidance that helps the City operate transparently, ethically, and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide extensive counsel and comprehensive legal services to the City Council, City Manager and City departments, committees and commissions; participate in decisions related to general City policies and operations;
• Provide legal advice in both oral and written form to guide City decisions and activities;
• Provide advice, counsel and representation to protect the City's interests and minimize risk;
• Earnest legal research and provide written and oral opinions regarding all facets of municipal law, including, but not limited to, contracting, finance, zoning and land use, permitting, public works, public records, risk management, human resources, real estate, interlocal agreements, code and law compliance;
• Draft and review letters, contracts, policies, interlocal agreements, deeds, leases, permits, franchises and other legal documents involving City operations;
• Attend council sessions in the absence of the City Attorney; participate in meetings and conferences with other cities, boards, commissions, committees, administrative officers and personnel to give legal advice as required;
• Represent the City in legal actions and proceedings at various court levels and tribunals in civil and criminal litigation and in administrative hearings;
• Work with Code Compliance Department, Police Department, other agencies, and the public to resolve all violations through informal negotiations, civil penalties, and formal and informal abatement processes;
• Respond to public inquiries regarding municipal legal requirements, public records, and consumer complaints;
• Advise risk management in evaluating claims filed against the City; make appropriate recommendations regarding defense, settlement and legal strategies;
• Support the performance of, assigned personnel; evaluate expertise levels of staff and coordinate training opportunities as needed;
• Maintain current knowledge of issues, legislation, and regulations related to municipal law; advise appropriate City Staff of law changes that impact City operations and decisions;
• Serve as designated essential personnel during any emergency management response scenario.

Qualifications

• Accredited law school Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree required.
• Admission to practice law in the State of Washington.
• A minimum of five (5) years civil legal experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with the following experience will be given priority:
• Employment law (investigations, workplace policies, HR advising, labor-related issues)
• Land-use and development law (zoning, environmental review, permitting, SEPA/NEPA experience)
• Municipal or public-sector legal experience
• Experience drafting complex legal documents, ordinances, and interlocal agreements
• Background or familiarity with real estate, construction, aviation, or similar subject matter areas

Skills

• Knowledge Of Federal, State and local laws and regulations affecting municipalities.
• City and State laws related to the prosecution of court cases.
• Legal research, methodology, preparation and review of legal documents and instruments involving significant impact on City operations.
• Rules of evidence.
• Municipal government structure, operation and jurisdiction.
• Principles, practices and procedures of civil and criminal law.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Complex legal record-keeping techniques and requirements.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Risk management principles, including indemnification and insurance.

Benefits

The City of SeaTac offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to all eligible employees. These benefits include the following:

• Medical Benefits/Life Insurance Regence Medical Insurance: choice of a copay or High Deductible Plan with option of a Health Savings Account
• Kaiser Permanente with a Deductible
• Choice of Delta Dental of Washington or Willamette Dental Group for Employer Paid Dental Plans
• VSP is Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance with the Hartford Insurance Company
• Employer Paid Long Term Disability with Standard Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program with Compsych
• Retirement: Employees are enrolled in the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems Plan (PERS); employee and employer contribute to the plan.
• 401a Social Security Replacement Plan with MissionSquare 401a. Employee contributes 6.2%.
• MissionSquare 457 plan. Employees have the option of contributing to an.
• Tuition Reimbursement: employees are eligible to participate after completion of their probationary period.
• Wellness Program: Fun and engaging wellness activities to encourage a healthy work place.
• Commuter Trip Reduction Program: The City provides incentives to reduce single occupancy vehicle commute, and provides a monthly pass up to $100 to cover transit needs.