Closing Date: 12th May, 2024

Description:

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 A Government Entity and its City Attorney's Office

Bellevue is routinely ranked among the best mid-sized cities in the country. A Government Entity is a 32-member department that provides civil advice and litigation, criminal prosecution and risk management services. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to fill a senior attorney position and join our fast-paced, collegial and supportive work environment. This position will primarily provide advice and represent clients in litigation on matters related to permitting, land use, planning, environmental, code compliance, and policy and code development.

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 Management and City Council.

Primary Duties:

Provide regular counseling and strategic advice to City departments and management, both orally and in writing, on various facets of municipal law.
Advise and develop responsive strategy to issues raised during permitting, land use entitlement, planning, environmental review, code compliance and policy and code development processes about interpretation and application of development regulations and governing rules and laws.
Assist City departments in drafting resolutions and ordinances for adoption by the City Council.
Respond to state legislation and advise City departments of legal requirements.
Draft and review legal documents and contracts, including concomitant agreements, settlement agreements, covenants, conditions of permits and approvals and other legal agreements with other governmental bodies and third parties.
Represent the City in contested matters before administrative and judicial bodies.

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.
Substantial background advising government clients on permitting, land use, planning, environmental, code compliance, and policy and code development matters.
Litigation experience in administrative and court proceedings related to permitting, land use, environmental and/or code compliance matters.
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 Experience:

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.
Considerable knowledge of the Growth Management Act, Land Use, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), municipal law, development permitting and land use entitlement processes.
Experience in drafting development regulations, ordinances, resolutions and administrative procedures.
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant municipal or other government experience.
Minimum of three (3) years of professional related experience with permitting, land use, planning, environmental, code compliance and/or policy and code development matters.
Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.