As the city works to accommodate growth and address the need for economic and residential development, the city attorney will lead, plan, and direct comprehensive legal services for the City; provides counsel to the City Administrator, Mayor, the City Council, Department Directors, and appointed boards and commissions and provides legal services for civil lawsuits.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Serves under the direction of the City Administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None
Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties, which are a representative sample of the level of work appropriate to this class.

• Employees of the City of College Place are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Open and Honest, Cooperation, Respect, Service, & Diversity.
• Assist the City Administrator, Community Development Director, and Public Works Director with land use planning including commercial, industrial and residential developments and their associated infrastructure, building, and zoning requirements. Work with City Administrator and Directors to update Land Use Development and Building Codes, the Zoning Code, and the Subdivision Code to remain compliant with land development requirements as the City grows all the while identifying obstacles and /or hurdles to development.
• Assist with negotiation and finalization of development agreements and contracts. Reviews City contracts, bonds, insurance policies and other legal documents and provides legal advice thereon.
• Build and maintain cooperative professional relationships with the Mayor, City Administrator, and all Department Directors.
• Serve as a member of the City Administrator’s Leadership Team.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive legal services for the City.
• Practice preventative law by interpreting, forecasting, and applying legal/municipal law trends.
• Review proposed and enacted Washington State and Federal legislation for impact to the city.
• Drafts and interpret City ordinances and resolutions.
• Attend, prepare materials for and make presentations at City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and other meetings as needed and/or required.
• Develop and administer department budget, including fund forecast for equipment, materials, and supplies while practicing fiscal responsibility.
• Cooperatively works with other department directors to refine and/or develop code provisions.
• Function as the Risk Manager to develop policies and procedures related to risk management and participate in providing education and training to city staff.
• Serves on and participates in employee committees as needed.
• Return in a timely manner phone calls and emails regarding inquiries from Mayor, City Administrator, Department Directors, and the media.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Sets direction, goals, objectives, and priorities for the department.
• Provides counsel to the City Administrator, Council, staff, committees and commissions.
• Represents the City in civil and criminal matters and in administrative hearings.
• Research and analyze complex legal situations and presents legal alternatives. As well as tracking legal and policy issues of importance to the City.
• Participates in the City’s short and long-range planning to assure proper consideration of legal issues.
• Participates in decisions related to general City policies and operations.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
The City Attorney interacts extensively with the City Administrator, appointed and elected officials, Department Directors (and when assigned other City staff under the Department Directors), and other governmental agencies. Possess the ability to not bring personal political philosophies to work and use one’s personal political philosophies as a catalyst to influence professional duties and responsibilities.

SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS:
Advanced knowledge of:

• Knowledge of or the ability to learn, interpret and apply comprehensive municipal law, including torts, contracts, land use, labor law, transportation, constitutional law, government/administrative law, and municipal finance.
• Theory, structure and practice of municipal law, particularly as it applies to the Mayor / Council form of government.
• Regulations, principles, and practices of maintaining and managing public records, elections, public meetings and legal notices.
• Public disclosure laws.
• Parliamentary procedures.
• Organizational, fiscal, and supervisory practices and principles.
• Civil litigation and appellate techniques.
• Computer applications and related equipment necessary to the position.

Ability to:

• Effectively lead, plan, organize, assign and supervise work of department.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary, including oral presentations.
• Grasp complex factual data, draw appropriate conclusions and formulate sound legal decisions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships using tact, patience, and courtesy with diverse populations, public officials, city staff, community groups, regional organizations, and the public.
• Thoroughly understand the City’s political environment and sensitivities, and function effectively within that environment.
• Effectively represent the City in situations which are potentially adversarial or stressful.
• Exercise individual initiative and discretion in work, including confidential matters.
• Exercise flexibility.
• Resolve conflict and gain cooperation among conflicting groups.
• Accurately interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to non-technical person.
• Recognize occupational hazards and utilize standard safety practices.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Admission to the Washington State Bar and seven (7) years comprehensive municipal experience in civil matters, land use, transportation, and general municipal law, including increasingly responsible legal management, supervisory and administrative duties.

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of pre-employment background check.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record.

MENTAL ABILITIES
Continuous decision making, interpersonal skills, teamwork, creativity, training/supervising, use of discretion, independent judgment and/or action, and ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; frequent problem analysis; customer service, mentoring, presentations/teaching, and negotiation; and rare performance of basic and advanced math.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and walking, and the ability to intermittently kneel, stoop, bend at the waist, twist at the waist and reach, or sit for long periods of time. Operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites. Must be able to read, write, and communicate clearly. Ability to lift, push, carry or pull materials and objects weighing up to 20 lbs. on occasion using proper lifting techniques. Operate standard equipment for assigned tasks. Good vision to read print and a computer screen. Ability to hear and speak to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to include repetitive keyboarding, grasping and reaching.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with moderate noise level and may require travel to a variety of locations to attend meetings. The position requires attendance at evening City Council and/or other meetings.