Class Summary

Under general direction from the City Attorney, the Assistant City Attorney (IV) provides specialized legal services, including advice and representation for all City departments, requiring considerable experience, discretion and independent judgment. Provides the City Attorney, Mayor and Senior City staff with analysis of complex legal issues for assigned departments. Assists in development of policies and procedures. Develops expertise in specific areas of municipal law such as litigation/tort defense, land use/real estate, public utilities, or police legal advisor. Works directly with elected officials, department heads, city boards and commissions and outside agencies.

SUPERVISION

Works independently subject to guidance by City Attorney or Senior Attorneys. May supervise junior attorneys and support staff in specific projects or areas of expertise.

This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received.

Examples Of Job Functions

Assistant City Attorneys have the unique opportunity to develop specialization in various areas of municipal law such as land use/planning, human resource/labor law, and/or utilities/public works.

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are skills the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform, unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

Engage in a broad range of legal representation of all City departments, officials and employees.
Draft ordinances, regulations, contracts, proposals for state legislation and other legal documents.
Draft, review, and assist in the administration of City contracts and other procurement.
Conduct legal research, and provide oral and written opinions on major substantive, procedural, and administrative issues to major City departments, boards and commissions.
Attend meetings of City Council boards and commissions as legal advisor to City officials.
Prepare and conduct major litigation before federal, state, and local courts, and administrative agencies and other adjudicative bodies.
Negotiate and recommend settlement of claims filed against the City.
Analyze changes in state and federal laws and court decisions and provide legal guidance to City departments as to method of compliance with new requirements.
Provide legal assistance and guidance to other attorneys within specific area of expertise.
Participate as active member (non-legal role) in various City administrative and management projects.
The individual who holds or desires the position may develop a focus on a specific area of municipal law depending on their experience including litigation/tort defense, land use/real estate, public utilities, or police legal advisor.
Perform other related work as requested or required.

Requirements Of Work

Make difficult and complex decisions quickly.
Express legal concepts in clear and concise language for the City Council, Mayor, City officials and staff and the general public.
Knowledge of municipal law and the practices and procedures of the City government is helpful. Demonstrated expertise in specific areas of municipal law.
Organize and manage own work and supervise support staff and junior attorneys.
Foster and maintain effective professional relationship with City officials and staff, colleagues and general public.
Exercise good moral character and integrity in matters pertaining to professional responsibilities.
Prepare legal analyses and recommendations. Analyze and understand complex problems; identify and implement solutions.
Present matters clearly and persuasively before public bodies, arbitrators, management and employee groups.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Use of a computer and software necessary to effectively perform the duties of the position.

Working Conditions And Physical Demands

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting. It involves frequent attendance at meetings and may include irregular hours and potentially out-of-town travel. Incumbents in this classification are expected to communicate verbally, in person, and by telephone. A computer terminal is used and requires the use of repetitive arm-hand movements.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will include:

Education

Juris doctor or equivalent degree.

Membership

Membership in Washington State Bar Association.

Experience

Ten (10) years' experience in the practice of law.
Admitted to Washington State Bar Association

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Assistant City Attorney IV is subject to the City’s Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, “it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.”

EEO STATEMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status.

Insurance Benefits

Eligibility: Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents: Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical

Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Kaiser Permanente or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium varies dependent upon plan and coverage level selected.

Vision

Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental

Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee and eligible dependents.

Life Insurance - Employee Only

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $150,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $7,500 for spouse/domestic partner and $3,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance is provided by The Standard. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code.

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit

AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit is optional. The City of Spokane has partnered with AudioNet America to offer a discounted Hearing Aid Program with fixed out-of-pocket costs.

LegalShield/ID Shield

Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited number of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance

Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Continued Medical/Dental Insurance

Employees separating from City service have the option to continue medical and/or dental insurance benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium in addition to a small monthly administrative fee.

Retirement Benefits

Spokane Employees' Retirement System

The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed, permanent employees. As a participant, you contribute 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Contributions and earnings are tax-deferred. The City also contributes 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2015 become vested (eligible for a monthly benefit at retirement age) at seven years of service.

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by MissionSquare Retirement allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis. Contributions and associated earnings contributed on a before tax basis are eligible to receive City matching contributions and are tax deferred (not taxed until taken out). You can also choose to participate in the 457 Roth (after tax) contribution option. You may enroll in the 457 plan or change your contribution at any time. Minimum contribution is $15 per paycheck up to and is subject to the IRS annual limitations. The City will match employee contributions up to $200/month.

PAID TIME OFF

Official Holidays

The City observes seven official holidays as paid. An official holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. An official holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. The City observes Martin Luther King Jr's birthday but has not declared that day as an official holiday. For this reason, employees hired before the third Monday of January receive an additional eight hours of floating holiday time to be used in accordance with Spokane Managerial and Professional Association Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions.

Personal Leave

Employees hired by January 15th receive forty (40) hours of personal leave, between January 16th and March 31st receive thirty (30) hours, between April 1st and June 30th receive twenty (20) hours, and employees hired between July 1st and September 30th receive ten (10) hours. If hired after September 30th no personal leave is received. Personal Leave may not be carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination.

Floating Holidays

48 hours of Floating Holidays to be used as of January 1st. Floating holiday hours may not be carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination.

Vacation Leave

Employees earn paid vacation hours each pay period. The number of hours earned depends upon the employee's length of employment and the number of hours in a pay status. Vacation accrual ranges from 12 days per year for a new employee to 20 days per year after 11 years of employment. Unused vacation hours carry over each year but are subject to maximum accrual amounts in accordance with Spokane Managerial and Professional Association Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions.

Sick Leave

Sick leave accrues at a rate of six (6) hours per biweekly pay period. Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue sick leave. Unused sick leave hours carry over each year.

Other Leaves

The City also provides several other paid and unpaid leaves, such as: bereavement leave, Family and Medical Leave, maternity leave, jury duty, and military duty leave.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program

The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.

Revised March 15, 2022

01

Do you have ten (10) years' experience? Are a member of the Washington State Bar Association?

02

Are a member of the Washington State Bar Association?

Yes
No
Required Question

City of Spokane

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Assistant City Attorney IV