What are the responsibilities and job description for the City Attorney position at City of Springfield (MO)?
Do you have a passion for public service and municipal law?
The City of Springfield, Missouri, is seeking an analytical, ethical, collaborative, and well-qualified candidate for the integral role of City Attorney. The current City Attorney has announced her retirement effective November of 2023 after over 20 years of successful service at the City of Springfield, including serving in various roles, of which the last five have been serving as City Attorney. Additionally, the current Deputy City Attorney plans to remain in her current deputy role and assist the new City Attorney.
The City Attorney’s Office represents the City in all legal matters, including civil actions brought by or against the City, and is committed to providing quality and professional legal services and leadership in areas requiring legal expertise to the Mayor, City Council, many boards and commissions, city management and leadership, and city departments.
The ideal candidate must be a confident leader and prepared to serve as the City’s chief legal advisor, including overseeing and managing activities for both the civil section of the Prosecutor’s Office. The City Attorney is a member of the City’s Leadership Team and directs the work of around 20 employees actively involved in legislative work such as drafting ordinances and resolutions, revising the City’s code, reviewing and drafting contracts, deeds, leases, and other official documents; supervises and participates in the preparation of civil cases for trial and investigations of complaints; ensures the City is appropriately represented in all legal proceedings and handles all complex negotiations; performs extensive legal research; represents and promotes the City’s best interests in legislative sessions and oversees the department budget.
As a leader, the City Attorney will be a thoughtful advisor who anticipates problems and looks for innovative ways to solve the issues and who sees their role as being an essential part of the City’s leadership team, as well as a protector of the City, elected officials, city leadership and staff. The candidate will possess the right balance of assertiveness and diplomacy, be a good listener, fair-minded, and be willing to discuss various matters candidly. This position of public trust requires strong personal integrity and ethics.
The City of Springfield offers a competitive salary and benefits package,including:
- No-cost employee-only health insurance
- Pension through the Local Government Employee Retirement System (LAGERS) with employee contribution made 100% by the City and full vesting after five years
- Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan with employer match programs
- Generous leave time with holiday, vacation, floating holidays, exempt, and sick leave
- A car allowance of $430 per month
Learn more about our Benefits by clicking here!
Working at the City of Springfield means being part of an award-winning team of professionals committed to community involvement. City of Springfield employees have a reputation as the best and brightest at what they do. Learn more about the many state, regional, national and international recognition achieved by City employees and departments over the past year: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/awards.
Springfield is a progressive city offering a desirable Southwest Missouri location and great quality of life as a center for regional medical, tourism, transportation, retail and education. Springfield provides its citizens with high-quality cultural, entertainment, and recreation venues.
Learn more about Springfield, click here.
This position is open until filled. First review of applications is August 25, 2023.
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree;
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible related experience in civil and/or municipal law;
- Supervisory experience required.
- Must be a licensed attorney by the State of Missouri.
- Must establish and maintain residency within the city limits of Springfield at the time of and throughout duration of appointment
All interested candidates MUST complete the City of Springfield on-line application in its entirety. The candidate profile must include all employment history with accurate and complete information prior to submission. Resumes alone will not be accepted as the application, but they may be submitted as supplemental documentation.
Salary : $430 - $0
