What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant City Attorney position at City of Bellevue, WA?

Salary : $146,556.00 - $202,239.00 Annually

Location : Bellevue, WA

Job Type : Regular

Job Number : 25-00092

Department : City Attorney's Office

Division : CAO_Civil

Opening Date : 02 / 20 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 5 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

Job Summary

Are you a dynamic, forward-thinking attorney with substantial experience representing government looking for a cooperative and vibrant environment to further your professional development? Are you excited about the opportunity to work for a thriving, diverse city with unique challenges? Are you a dynamic problem solver who is not afraid to challenge the status quo? If so, we invite you to explore the City of Bellevue and its City Attorney's Office.

Bellevue is routinely ranked among the best mid-sized cities in the country. The Bellevue City Attorney's Office is a 30-member department that provides civil advice, litigation, and criminal prosecution. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to fill a senior attorney positionand join our fast-paced, collegial and supportive work environment. This position will primarily provide advice on matters related to transportation, capital projects, long range planning, neighborhood services, and environmental stewardship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This Senior Attorney will be in the Civil Division and responsible for providing professional legal services, advice and representation to the city government. The ideal candidate will be comfortable advising City Departments on day-to-day legal issues, assessing litigation risks, and providing briefings to the City Council and City Leadership.

Primary Duties :

Provide advice, counseling, and support to the City's Transportation Department and the Long Range Planning, Neighborhood Services, and Environmental Stewardship divisions of the Community Development Department both orally and in writing, on various facets of municipal law, capital projects and City planning.
Respond to inquiries from the City Council and City Leadership and Staff, as requested.
Research, draft, and review legal documents, including legal opinions, contracts, and agreements with other governmental agencies and third parties.
Participate in the development of City policies and programs, including the City's Comprehensive Plan, Transportation plans, environmental initiatives, and programs supporting neighborhood services and public outreach.
Assist City departments in drafting resolutions and ordinances for adoption by the City Council.
Respond to and analyze state legislation addressing transportation and planning issues and advise City departments of legal requirements.
Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised :

The Senior Attorney duties and responsibilities are performed under the moderate to general supervision of a supervising attorney in the City Attorney's Office.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Abilities and Experience :

In-depth knowledge of municipal law and other legal requirements that apply to governments.

Knowledge and experience advising clients on long range planning, the state Growth Management Act, property law, constitutional law, risk and liability, telecommunications, public works, public bidding, and contracting.

Excellent legal research and analytical skills, including using Westlaw.

Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly, logically and persuasively and adapt communication style to diverse audiences.

Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations and in writing; effective listening skills.

Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment within general guidelines.

Ability to obtain results by carrying out assigned projects to their completion. Good organization, prioritization and collaboration skills.

Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, city elected officials and leadership, other city staff, and the public.

Ability to assess and recognize own strengths and weaknesses to pursue self-development; willingness to take direction from senior staff.

Commitment to serving the public.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS :

Graduate of an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.

Currently licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Washington.

Minimum of five (5) years of relevant municipal or other government experience.

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

Supplemental Information

Flexible / Hybrid Working :

The City is

implementing a flexible / hybrid work policy that will allow staff to work

remotely. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational

needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Once

hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.

We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.

Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.

All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.

Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment

Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is : Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note : Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions :

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans :

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) : Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.

City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT) : Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.

Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP) : Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include :

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Life / Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD)

Survivor Income

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)

An ORCA Card bus pass

On-site fitness center, and self service food / coffee options

Career development and training programs

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.

NOTE : This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

Do you have a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and current membership with the Washington State Bar?

Do you have at least five (5) years of experience as an attorney working with and / or representing governments?

Why are you interested in the City of Bellevue and how does your previous experience make you a qualified candidate for this position?

Required Question

Salary : $146,556 - $202,239

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