The City of Gresham's City Attorney’s Office is seeking to add an experienced attorney to serve as lead legal counsel for the City’s Department of Environmental Services, which includes Development Engineering, Public Works, Facilities, Solid Waste and Sustainability, Transportation, Water and Water Utilities, Watershed Management, and Wastewater. The ideal candidate will possess substantial professional experience in two or more of the following practice areas: public improvements and general public contracting law; public works and transportation; real estate transactions including eminent domain; environmental regulations; and general governmental law. This Assistant City Attorney Senior position regularly works with and jointly supervises an Assistant City Attorney with the Deputy City Attorney. Please contact City Attorney Ellen Van Riper for more information about this opportunity at ellen.vanriper@greshamoregon.gov.
The City Attorney's Office offers a supportive, collaborative, and constantly evolving work environment in a progressive city government. The City Attorney's Office values work-life balance, flexibility, and supports a combination of in-office with some remote work allowed, consistent with business needs. The City's legal team includes the City Attorney, a Deputy City Attorney, two Assistant City Attorney Seniors, and an Assistant City Attorney. This recruitment is prompted by the upcoming retirement of one of the Assistant City Attorney Seniors in May 2026. The Office also includes risk management professionals and support staff.
The City Attorney’s Office provides legal counsel on a wide variety of municipal topics such as public safety, land use and development, urban renewal, economic development, public works, public contracting, employment and labor law, constitutional law, and general governmental law. The team's legal work also supports City operations and programs for small business incentives, local purchasing, financing economic development projects, internal operations, rental housing inspections, public/private partnerships, citizen involvement, code enforcement, innovative land use initiatives, and other programs.
What you will get to do:
- Review/draft high volume of contracts and agreements.
- Review/draft deeds, easements, Right-of-way dedications, purchase/sale agreements and other real property instruments.
- Provide guidance and education to staff on matters relating to eminent domain.
- Provide guidance to staff on matters relating to public contracting.
- Review bonds and Prevailing Wage Rate and BOLI compliance relating to public improvement contracts.
- Review/draft System Development Charge deferral and financing agreements.
- Provide guidance to staff on matters relating to City fleet and facilities.
- Provides guidance to staff on matters relating to public infrastructure development.
- Represent the Department of Environmental Services on legal matters including proceedings before courts and administrative bodies.
For additional responsibilities associated with the role of Assistant City Attorney Senior, please view the Class Specification.
What We’re Looking For:
We are seeking an experienced municipal attorney who exercises sound judgment, demonstrates the highest ethical standards, and thrives in a complex public-sector environment. The successful candidate is an independent, strategic thinker who can analyze challenging legal issues, balance competing priorities, and provide clear, practical guidance to City leadership.
This individual is an exceptional writer and communicator who can translate complex legal concepts into clear advice for elected officials, staff, and the public. They build strong working relationships, negotiate effectively, manage sensitive matters with discretion, and consistently deliver high-quality, detail-oriented work in a fast-paced setting. A commitment to equity, public service, and collaborative problem-solving is essential.
Qualifications:
Knowledge of:
- Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations
- City government administration, organization, functions, and services
- Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques of local government law, administrative law, real property law, public contracting, and other relevant areas of law
- Court procedures and rules of evidence
- Techniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations
- Communication principles, practices, and techniques
- Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications
Ability to:
- Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
- Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, apply legal principles, and prepare legal documents
- Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
- Apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
- Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
- Active member in good standing in the Oregon State Bar or ability to become an Oregon State Bar member through reciprocity within six (6) months of hire.
- Three (3) or more years relevant legal experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five (5) or more years of relevant legal experience to include three (3) years of experience in local government law
- Demonstrated experience in public contracting, capital improvements, real estate transactions, eminent domain, environmental law, related litigation, and/or general governmental law
