Description:
Are you an experienced attorney ready to make a change for the New Year? If so, then consider the City of Kent and this new opportunity to join the Civil Division of the Kent City Attorney's Office. The City of Kent is looking for an experienced attorney to join a dynamic and talented team of legal professionals who work cooperatively and collaboratively together.*Not only does this position offer excellent work/life balance with no need to closely track or bill hours, Kent offers competitive pay, a sound retirement system (i.e., pension plan), and excellent medical benefits.
Working as an attorney with Kent allows you to engage in social concerns and the betterment of the Kent community; perform impactful work that directly affects the environment, the safety of area residents, and Kent's economic vitality and growth; and join an experienced team that collaboratively assists leadership in finding creative solutions to significant challenges, while maintaining efficiency and accountability in government. Not to mention, this is an opportunity for an easier commute, free parking, the potential for partial remote work, and an office location that is close to bus and train lines.
Applicants must be admitted to practice and in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association. Some prior civil legal experience is required, with a preference for municipal legal experience. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills, and must be able to work as part of a cohesive and collaborative team in a fast-paced environment.
Writing samples will be requested for those invited to interview.
Candidates who possess municipal civil legal experience of five (5) years or more will be considered for hiring as a Senior Assistant City Attorney.
A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete.
Please note that you cannot attach documents after you have submitted your online application. Additionally, uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application. If you experience problems attaching documents, please contact Human Resources at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.
Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled upon receipt.
Salary:
Assistant City Attorney - Civil:
$8,538.00 - $13,417.00 monthly, depending on experience (2025 rates)
Senior Assistant City Attorney - Civil:
$10,017.00 - $14,222.00 monthly, depending on experience (2025 rates)
There is one (1) benefited position that will be filled by this recruitment process. This is a non-represented position that is exempt from overtime.
General Purpose:
Under the direction of the Deputy City Attorney, or designee, the incumbent assists the City Attorney's Office by providing a variety of professional, legal services to the Chief Administrative Officer, Mayor, City Council, City Administration, City staff, and boards, committees, and taskforces. Incumbents are distinguished as Assistant City Attorneys and Senior Assistant City Attorneys based on their experience, with Senior Assistant City Attorneys assuming advanced legal work that includes serving as a lead or mentor to others both within and outside of the City Attorney's Office, and performing more complex professional attorney services requiring specialized legal knowledge and municipal government experience.
Work is characterized by professional legal work that requires the incumbent to lead and provide City staff with advice in their efforts to make decisions involving a wide variety of complex municipal legal subjects including, but not limited to, the following: land use; building codes; environmental law; real estate transactions; public/private partnerships; public works; utility services; solid and hazardous waste; construction matters; labor, employment, and civil service; public safety; public finance; code enforcement; ordinance and resolution preparation; property rights; municipal liability; public records disclosure; campaign issues; parliamentary procedure; public bidding and procurement; interlocal agreements; contract negotiation; court procedures; and governmental relations.
Incumbents appointed as a Senior Assistant City Attorney must demonstrate exceptional work ethic and initiative; the desire and ability to drive projects to conclusion; excellent and advanced technical knowledge, and leadership and analytical skills; and must be able to effectively train, lead, and mentor others in a variety of complex legal subjects. Senior Assistant City Attorneys may be assigned to serve as acting Deputy City Attorney in the Deputy's absence. Results of the incumbent's work are considered to be technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. Appointment as a Senior City Attorney is at the sole discretion of the City Attorney who shall determine whether the incumbent's experience or work performance warrants hiring as or promotion to the role based on the incumbent's demonstrated ability to counsel City staff and officials on legal issues, including the impact those legal issues may have with regards to Council initiatives and greater City interests.
Work is performed under limited supervision. The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignments, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Maintain current knowledge of laws, legislation, regulations, court cases, and issues affecting municipal governments in areas relating, but not limited to, land use; building codes, environmental law; real estate transactions; public/private partnerships; public works; utility services; solid and hazardous waste; construction matters; labor, employment, and civil service; public safety; public finance; code enforcement; ordinance and resolution preparation; municipal liability; public records disclosure; campaign issues; parliamentary procedure; interlocal agreements; contract negotiation; court procedures; and governmental relations.
Prepare, review, amend, and approve a variety of legal documents including, but not limited to, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, easements, leases, licenses, settlement agreements, briefs, letters, legal opinions, discovery related documents, training materials, and other legal documents and instruments.
Provide legal advice and training to City officials, employees, departments, boards, commissions, the City Council, and Council committees.
Interact and effectively and confidently communicate and make presentations to the City Council, City committees and boards, public interest groups, employees, elected officials, and departments. Attend and effectively and confidently participate in committee meetings and council and board meetings regularly, both during and after regular work hours. Be available and able to assist employees and elected officials with little advanced notice.
On rare occasion, provide litigation services for the City; organize case information; perform discovery and investigation; analyze evidence and the law; develop litigation strategies; perform research; prepare briefs; effectively present the City's case and oral arguments in a wide variety of judicial and non-judicial forums; and perform appellate work. Most tort litigation is performed by outside counsel, but incumbent may be assigned on occasion to defend or prosecute smaller claims not covered by the City's insurance.
Provide legal research and prepare a wide variety of legal documents. Research and writing should demonstrate thoughtful, reasoned analysis based on law and public policy, as well as correct legal formatting and proper use of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Develop policies and provide policy guidance to employees, City departments, elected officials, etc.
With respect to the City's Risk Management Program, evaluate claims filed against the City; make appropriate recommendations regarding defense, settlement, and legal strategies. The incumbent must be able to recognize civil or criminal situations that may create potential liability for the City and may perform some or all of the following duties:
Collect, analyze, and evaluate risk data as necessary and recommend appropriate countermeasures; review current and proposed facilities, programs, and other activities by the City for risk management implications; perform internal audits to reduce property damage and general liability claims; review and analyze loss history runs from third party administrators and other insurance coverage loss exhibits; review, coordinate, research, and provide information and material to assist third party claims administrators as needed.
Evaluate costs and benefits of alternate insurance programs, including self-insurance; administer and negotiate insurance renewal contracts for general liability, excess worker's compensation, cyber risk, property, contents, auto physical damage, and fidelity bonds; evaluate retention levels
Please note that you cannot attach documents after you have submitted your online application. Additionally, uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application. If you experience problems attaching documents, please contact Human Resources at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.
Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled upon receipt.
Salary:
Assistant City Attorney - Civil:
$8,538.00 - $13,417.00 monthly, depending on experience (2025 rates)
Senior Assistant City Attorney - Civil:
$10,017.00 - $14,222.00 monthly, depending on experience (2025 rates)
There is one (1) benefited position that will be filled by this recruitment process. This is a non-represented position that is exempt from overtime.
General Purpose:
Under the direction of the Deputy City Attorney, or designee, the incumbent assists the City Attorney's Office by providing a variety of professional, legal services to the Chief Administrative Officer, Mayor, City Council, City Administration, City staff, and boards, committees, and taskforces. Incumbents are distinguished as Assistant City Attorneys and Senior Assistant City Attorneys based on their experience, with Senior Assistant City Attorneys assuming advanced legal work that includes serving as a lead or mentor to others both within and outside of the City Attorney's Office, and performing more complex professional attorney services requiring specialized legal knowledge and municipal government experience.
Work is characterized by professional legal work that requires the incumbent to lead and provide City staff with advice in their efforts to make decisions involving a wide variety of complex municipal legal subjects including, but not limited to, the following: land use; building codes; environmental law; real estate transactions; public/private partnerships; public works; utility services; solid and hazardous waste; construction matters; labor, employment, and civil service; public safety; public finance; code enforcement; ordinance and resolution preparation; property rights; municipal liability; public records disclosure; campaign issues; parliamentary procedure; public bidding and procurement; interlocal agreements; contract negotiation; court procedures; and governmental relations.
Incumbents appointed as a Senior Assistant City Attorney must demonstrate exceptional work ethic and initiative; the desire and ability to drive projects to conclusion; excellent and advanced technical knowledge, and leadership and analytical skills; and must be able to effectively train, lead, and mentor others in a variety of complex legal subjects. Senior Assistant City Attorneys may be assigned to serve as acting Deputy City Attorney in the Deputy's absence. Results of the incumbent's work are considered to be technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. Appointment as a Senior City Attorney is at the sole discretion of the City Attorney who shall determine whether the incumbent's experience or work performance warrants hiring as or promotion to the role based on the incumbent's demonstrated ability to counsel City staff and officials on legal issues, including the impact those legal issues may have with regards to Council initiatives and greater City interests.
Work is performed under limited supervision. The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignments, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Maintain current knowledge of laws, legislation, regulations, court cases, and issues affecting municipal governments in areas relating, but not limited to, land use; building codes, environmental law; real estate transactions; public/private partnerships; public works; utility services; solid and hazardous waste; construction matters; labor, employment, and civil service; public safety; public finance; code enforcement; ordinance and resolution preparation; municipal liability; public records disclosure; campaign issues; parliamentary procedure; interlocal agreements; contract negotiation; court procedures; and governmental relations.
Prepare, review, amend, and approve a variety of legal documents including, but not limited to, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, easements, leases, licenses, settlement agreements, briefs, letters, legal opinions, discovery related documents, training materials, and other legal documents and instruments.
Provide legal advice and training to City officials, employees, departments, boards, commissions, the City Council, and Council committees.
Interact and effectively and confidently communicate and make presentations to the City Council, City committees and boards, public interest groups, employees, elected officials, and departments. Attend and effectively and confidently participate in committee meetings and council and board meetings regularly, both during and after regular work hours. Be available and able to assist employees and elected officials with little advanced notice.
On rare occasion, provide litigation services for the City; organize case information; perform discovery and investigation; analyze evidence and the law; develop litigation strategies; perform research; prepare briefs; effectively present the City's case and oral arguments in a wide variety of judicial and non-judicial forums; and perform appellate work. Most tort litigation is performed by outside counsel, but incumbent may be assigned on occasion to defend or prosecute smaller claims not covered by the City's insurance.
Provide legal research and prepare a wide variety of legal documents. Research and writing should demonstrate thoughtful, reasoned analysis based on law and public policy, as well as correct legal formatting and proper use of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Develop policies and provide policy guidance to employees, City departments, elected officials, etc.
With respect to the City's Risk Management Program, evaluate claims filed against the City; make appropriate recommendations regarding defense, settlement, and legal strategies. The incumbent must be able to recognize civil or criminal situations that may create potential liability for the City and may perform some or all of the following duties:
Collect, analyze, and evaluate risk data as necessary and recommend appropriate countermeasures; review current and proposed facilities, programs, and other activities by the City for risk management implications; perform internal audits to reduce property damage and general liability claims; review and analyze loss history runs from third party administrators and other insurance coverage loss exhibits; review, coordinate, research, and provide information and material to assist third party claims administrators as needed.
Evaluate costs and benefits of alternate insurance programs, including self-insurance; administer and negotiate insurance renewal contracts for general liability, excess worker's compensation, cyber risk, property, contents, auto physical damage, and fidelity bonds; evaluate retention levels
