Skip to main content
Posted March 14, 2024

Deputy City Attorney

City of Medford (Oregon)
Medford, OR Full Time
Reference: CityofMedford(Oregon)4343208

Are you an experienced legal professional seeking a dynamic role involving diverse legal issues? Look no further! An exciting opportunity awaits you as...

Are you an experienced legal professional seeking a dynamic role involving diverse legal issues? Look no further! An exciting opportunity awaits you as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Medford. In this key position within our legal team, you will work with officials from all areas of City government, influence City policies, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our community.

As a Deputy City Attorney, you will occupy a crucial role as one of the general counsel positions for the City. Your responsibilities will involve staffing the Planning Commission and collaborating closely with Planning and Public Works staff on pivotal matters related to development, as well as working with other departments as well. This dynamic role goes beyond a traditional specialized position, offering a diverse array of challenges and responsibilities that promise a rewarding and engaging career.


Required Education and Experience:

  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctorate; and
  • Five (5) years of legal experience, preferably including two (2) years of experience representing public entity client(s) in an internal or outside-counsel capacity, including leadership and teamwork experience to perform the job effectively.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:
  • Member of Oregon State Bar, in good standing.
  • Effective and efficient use of computer and other office equipment.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Knowledge of judicial procedures, rules of evidence, methods of legal research; interpreting and applying legal principles, etc.
  • Knowledge of, and/or learning agility to learn, a variety of areas of municipal law including land use, criminal, administrative, real estate, labor and employment law, public contracting, public meetings, public records, etc.
  • Ability to obtain Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification within six months of employment.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) upon hire.
  • Requires possession of a valid drivers license by date of hire. New employees establishing resident status in the State of Oregon must obtain an Oregon drivers license within 30 days (ORS 807.020 (1)).
  • Ability to maintain an acceptable driving record throughout employment.
  • Successful completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

Available Schedules:
  • 8 hours daily, Monday - Friday
  • Opportunity for alternate schedule:
    • 9-80 (nine-hour workdays with a three-day weekend every other week)
    • Teleworking


Directly related experience and qualifications will be evaluated alongside others who perform work of comparable character as required by Pay Equity Law. Six steps are included in this salary range, allowing opportunity for annual movement through the steps.

Healthcare Benefits:
  • Medical, vision and dental benefits for employee and family, paid at 100% by the City with the opportunity to buy-up to a lower deductible plan
  • Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy value of $50,000 paid by the City
  • Long-term disability insurance provided by the City
  • Health Reimbursement Account (HRA-VEBA) contributions provided by the City

Retirement Benefits:
  • Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) lifetime pension after retirement at no cost to employee
  • PERS is 100% fully paid as the City pays both the employer and the employees (6%) contributions
  • Deferred Compensation retirement plan (Section 457 Plan) for employee's retirement planning

Additional Benefits:
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • The Citys Wellness Program promotes physical, social, emotional, intellectual, financial and environmental wellness with various goals and challenges to participate in throughout the year. Employees may qualify for wellness incentives by completing milestones set within the program up to $200 annually
  • Access to the City's fully equipped fitness center 24/7



Medford is one of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific Northwest and is located in Jackson County, Oregon. Situated in the heart of the scenic Rogue Valley, Medford, population 88,357, is the hub of Oregon's fourth-largest metropolitan area. Located along I-5 in southern Oregon, just 20 miles from the California border, Medford is surrounded by breathtaking mountains in a region featuring world-class outdoor recreation opportunities, including Crater Lake National Park and the Oregon Coast. As the largest city between Eugene and Sacramento, Medford is a growing city with a high quality of life, a growing economy and a moderate climate.

Where the west coast plays

Click on the links below to learn more about Medford.
Travel Medford
Visitor Guide
Sports
The Chamber

Essential Functions of the Position:
Technical:
  • Provides legal advice to departments, including labor advice, discharges, discipline, etc.
  • Performs legal analysis and prepares legal memoranda for City Council, City Manager, and departments as needed.
  • Reviews, drafts, and comments on contracts and other matters initiated by City staff.
  • Provides primary legal staffing for the Planning Commission, including supporting Planning Department staff on complex land use matters. Attends and recommends legal advice at various other meetings, commissions, committees, and other related events.
  • Performs other high-level legal work for the City, which may include representing the City in civil litigation, administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies; drafting code revisions, and other ordinances and resolutions; and providing legal support for initiatives and partnerships that further City Manager and Council goals.
Leadership, management, operations, and administration:
  • Serves as Acting City Attorney in their absence including supervision of office; may be required to provide other leadership responsibilities in emergency situations.
  • Assists in Department management and budget preparation, setting departmental policy, etc.
  • Meets with representatives of federal, state and local agencies and the public to explain policies and programs and facilitate partnerships.
  • Communicates with and represents the Department to external public, community, and private organizations.

Other Functions of the Position:
  • Participates in interviews and hiring decisions in the Legal Department.
  • The scope of assigned area of responsibility will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the City Attorney.
  • Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
  • Handles job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.
  • Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
  • Is an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
  • Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
  • Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.

Competencies:
Customer Orientation - Effective performers attend to customers in a timely manner. They view the organization through the eyes of the customer and go out of their way to anticipate and meet customer needs. They continually seek information and understanding regarding market trends.

Diplomacy - Effective performers work well within the Citys power network. They are perceptive to social cues in the environment. They recognize personal agendas. They are skilled at handling situations without arousing hostility and are able to navigate the political waters of the City. They forge coalitions and know how to stay viable within the system.

Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They dont wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.

Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge. They are curious and want to know why. They learn quickly and use new information effectively. They create and foster a culture of interest, curiosity, and learning.

Mission Focus - Effective performers understand and support the organizations mission its core purpose for being. They believe in the mission, value it, and are committed to it. They communicate it to staff, stand behind it, and interpret its applications for others. They frequently refer to the mission and incorporate it into daily activities.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:
This position requires inside, office desk work that includes exposure to regular office noise and distractions, adequate lighting, and regulated HVAC systems in relation to temperature. This environment may also include interactions with the public including angry/hostile individuals.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to accomplish each of the essential job functions satisfactorily. This position involves extended periods of sitting and standing, with occasional walking, crouching, bending, stooping, twisting, turning, and balancing. The employee is regularly required to operate a variety of automated office machines which include a computer, printer, copy machine, calculator, telephone, etc.

IMPORTANT (Please read):

  1. It is important your application shows all the relevant experience you possess.
  2. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
  3. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an online application; an application will be considered incomplete with a "see resume" response.
  4. Please complete the application and answer the supplemental questions thoroughly to ensure our subject matter experts can appropriately evaluate your experience as we compare applicants.

How to Apply:

  1. Applications are only accepted online and must be received by the posted closing date/time.
  2. Resume and cover letter are required at the time you submit your application in order to be considered - please upload PDF versions to ensure the formatting is preserved.
  3. Selection procedures and timelines subject to change.
  4. Those selected must be able to provide proof of legal right to work in this country.

Hiring will be subject to successful completion of the following:
  • Criminal history background investigation
  • CJIS clearance
  • Favorable driving record
  • Professional reference check

Questions or Assistance:
  • If you have questions about the job posting, please contact the Human Resources department at (541) 774-2014.
  • For technical assistance completing your online application, please contact Government Jobs at (855) 524-5627.

This listing expired on Apr 13. Applications are no longer accepted.

Below are some other jobs we think you might be interested in.