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Bellevue, WA - City Attorney

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City of Bellevue: City Attorney

JOB TITLE:

City Attorney

JOB FAMILY:

Legal

JOB TITLE CODE:

  

EEO CODE:

Official/Administrator

DEPARTMENT(S):

Legal

WAGE SCHEDULE:

E

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 1, 2001

JOB SUMMARY

Performs a variety of complex, high level administrative, technical and professional work in managing and overseeing the prosecution of crimes, civil litigation and the preparation of legal documents. Serves as senior legal advisor to city officials as to the legal rights and obligations of the City, and practices other phases of applicable local, state and federal law. Serves as a member of the leadership team and participates in the recommendation of strategic direction for the City.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manages and oversees the Legal Department of the City to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
  • Represents or oversees the representation of the City in all civil litigation brought on behalf of or against the City.
  • Provides leadership and direction in the development of short and long range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates departmental activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
  • Provides professional advice to the City Council and department heads; attends meetings with councils, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public.
  • Communicates official plans, policies and procedures to staff and the general public.
  • Assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned areas to assure sound fiscal control; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
  • Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
  • Issues written and oral instructions and opinions; assigns duties and oversees production to assure a high quality work product.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Works under the broad policy guidance of the City Manager.

Exercises supervision over all staff of the Legal Department, either directly or indirectly through supervisors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree followed by admission to the Washington State Bar.

Ten or more years of progressively responsible related experience in civil and/or criminal litigation in a municipal environment, as well as supervisory experience.

Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

Considerable knowledge of state statutes relating to municipal affairs; considerable knowledge of laws relating to the purchase of goods and services, contracting, labor, employment, land use, environment and traffic control; working knowledge of modern policies and practices of municipal law and public administration; considerable knowledge of managerial principles, techniques and practices; considerable knowledge of personal computers including word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Skill in preparing briefs and other legal documents.

Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, the court system, and the general public; ability to efficiently and effectively administer a municipal legal department.

Broad knowledge of City mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, priorities and departmental operations.

Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to staff, securing their respective commitments to the department's goals.

Skill in identifying emerging issues, developing and implementing new approaches and/or refining the department's organization structure to generate desired results as efficiently as possible; ability to anticipate and resolve problems before a crisis ensues.

Understanding of the City's political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 10 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.