Assistant or Deputy City Attorney

• Provides a variety of professional legal services for various divisions or departments within the City.
• Serves as the City's Prosecutor. In addition to weekly court representation, performs a variety of trial preparation duties including organizing case information, analyzing evidence and pertinent facts, interviewing witnesses, developing arguments, drafting briefs and motions.
• Advises and manages the Citys response to public records requests including but not limited to physical and electronic (e-mail, electronic files/data, and video) records.
• Advises the Police Department regarding criminal matters and advances in the law.
• Attends regular and special City Council sessions in the absence of the City Attorney; participates in meetings and conferences with City boards, commissions, committees, and staff; provides legal advice as required;
• Effectively advises the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator and City staff regarding jurisdictional problems, zoning controversies, law enforcement issues, protection of the public and property, code compliance, tax issues, permits, zoning and land use; public utilities, land acquisition, labor and employment law, business licensing issues, criminal law, and other municipal law issues;
• Prepares and drafts a variety of legal documents and instruments including ordinances, resolutions, motions, briefs, contracts, and agreements; review contracts and other documents for compliance with legal requirements.
• Researches and prepares opinions on various legal problems for City departments, governing boards or officials; draft responses to inquiries regarding City legal matters.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City and recommend action to be taken.
• Represents the City in administrative hearings and in municipal, State and federal courts; defends suits and claims filed against the City.
• Prepares cases and represents the City at hearings before boards and commissions, such as the Planning Commission, Civil Service Commission, LEOFF I Disability Board, Growth Management Hearings Board, and Boundary Review Board.
• Drafts and negotiates contracts and other agreements with private parties, other governmental bodies, and state and county agencies.
• Maintains accurate and complete files and records related to litigation, legal opinions and professional information.
• Performs special projects requiring knowledge of municipal law and related legal issues.
• Exercises sound and ethical judgment in the decision-making processes required of this position.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to Washington State municipal government.
• Modern policies and practices of municipal law and public administration.
• Civil and criminal litigation and appellate principles, practices and procedures.
• Legal research, methodology, preparation and review of legal documents and instruments involving significant impact on City operations.
• Municipal government structure, operation and jurisdiction.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Complex legal recordkeeping techniques and requirements.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

• Work with elected officials on complex legal and policy issues in a public setting where different objectives and/or adversarial viewpoints may exist.
• Perform a majority of the duties of the City Attorney when necessary due to absence or scheduling conflicts affecting the City Attorney.
• Provide legal advice to guide City policies, decisions and activities.
• Represent the City at various court levels and tribunals in criminal and civil litigation.
• Draft and interpret City ordinances and resolutions.
• Communicate legal issues orally and in writing to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive, effective and professional manner.
• Read, interpret, explain and apply legal and technical language.
• Negotiate settlements in a variety of circumstances.
• Balance a sometimes heavy workload, and changing priorities and deadlines.
• Train, supervise and evaluate personnel.
• Analyze, evaluate and organize case facts, evidence and precedents and make appropriate recommendations in the timelines requested depending on the circumstances.
• Handle confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility.
• Exercise appropriate judgment and initiative in carrying out operations within a general set of rules, regulations, and legal prescriptions.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Work independently and be a self starter.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with colleagues and community members.
• Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, and accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including: business owners, government officials, general public and other staff. This would include in-person, written and oral communications.
• Contribute to achieving the Department and City mission.

Communication from the City of Sumner:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from sumnerwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

Selection Guidelines:
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.

Background checks will include:

• Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.
• Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
• Educational Verification: confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.
• Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:
  • The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
  • The time since the conviction.
  • The number (if more than one) of convictions.
  • Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors.
    The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:
• Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.
• Credit History: confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• Submitting a cover letter and resume is not required but is recommended.
• Applicants must provide professional references with accurate phone numbers and email addresses. References will only be contacted for applicants who progress past the interview process.
• If multiple applications are received for the same candidate, only the most recently submitted, complete application will be considered.
• Applications received by the review date will be screened for minimum qualifications and then submitted to a Subject Matter Expert to select which candidates will be invited to interview. Personally identifiable information is removed from the applications during the screening process.
• Applicants who are invited to interview will receive notification by email and will be provided at least one weeks' notice prior to the scheduled interview date.
• Applicants who are not invited to interview will be notified by email.
• Interviews may be held through an online meeting platform such as Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants who pass the interview process may be invited back for a second interview with the department leads or for a walking interview through the department.
• Applicants who did not pass the interview will be notified by email.