Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Overview:

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Essential Duties:

Responsible for providing legal services to County elected officials, department heads and employees in civil matters. Examples would be: General Municipal law; contract law (liability, construction); tort defense; eminent domain, land use and environmental law (growth management, permitting, building and fire codes); code enforcement; public works law (roads, solid waste, stormwater facilities, flood control); utilities.

Drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, and contracts for government officials. Provides legal advice to County employees and officials regarding questions about or changes in the law affecting County operations. Advises County officials on procurement laws and procedures.

Represent County officials and government in liability claims and complaints including tort, personnel matters and administrative proceedings.

Represent County officials and government in civil litigation arising from complaints and claims.

Perform case evaluation and recommend action. Perform investigation, trial preparation, witness interviews and depositions as well as settlement negotiations, pre-trial motions, trials and appeals as required.

Performs other duties as required.

Example: Participate in and/or prepare and present in-house training or may assist with processing public records requests.

Education & Experience:

Attorney I : Admission to the Washington State Bar; Admission to practice in the Supreme Court of Washington.

Attorney II: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law program recognized by the United States, or APR Rule 6 Graduate.

Admission to practice in Washington courts AND a minimum of four (4) years law practice with an emphasis on civil experience.

Required:

• admission to the Washington State Bar and be a member in good standing;

• ability to complete and maintain all continuing legal education requirements as mandated by the Washington State Bar Association;

• admission to practice in the Supreme Court of Washington;

• valid WA State Drivers License and proof of insurance, if requested; and,

• successful completion of a comprehensive criminal background investigation and general employment verification, which includes fingerprinting.

Preferred:

• experience with land use and environmental issues.

Equipment Used: computer, associated department and standard operating software programs, fax, scanner, copier, multi-line telephone, multi-media equipment, other basic office equipment, passenger vehicle.

Working Conditions: This position is rated as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Environment: travel, multiple work locations, may be required to work outside of standard business hours, and subject to emotional individuals.

Physical Demands: sitting, standing, fingering, hearing, talking, and visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands: ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

• the laws of the State of Washington, rules of evidence and procedure, and Washington Court rules;

• knowledge of civil law and procedures, emphasizing litigation;

• trial skills, including the ability to handle entry to mid-level cases; and,

• the ethical and professional responsibilities of an attorney generally and for the field of assignment and the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Skills (and abilities):

• clear and concise verbal and written skills to include public speaking;

• ability to listen effectively and communicate goals, objectives and philosophy of elected prosecutor to others;

• ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with elected officials, department heads, and other law and justice agencies, city, county and state resources;

• ability to perform legal research, analyze and apply legal principles, statutes, constitutional provisions, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems;

• ability to prioritize work under varying conditions and effectively managing time;

• ability to identify solutions to problems and make decisions within the scope of responsibility and the law;

• ability to exercise sound judgment in consulting attorneys and management with questions and concerns, and, in referring matters to the elected prosecutor;

• well-developed interpersonal skills, and ability to maintain positive/effective working relationships;

• applying knowledge of the law in writing various documents, analyzing evidence, witness examination, presenting legal arguments, and interpreting legal and/or factual situations;

• establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with co-workers, department heads and elected, individuals involved in the court systems, media and diverse members of the public while maintaining focus on case and client interests;

• ability to use computers, related software applications and basic office equipment;

• maintaining confidentiality; and,

• communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, in clear and concise language appropriate for the purposes involved and the parties addressed, including court appearances.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a persons age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.