Closing Date: 4th November, 2026

Description:

Description:
The City of Roanoke is seeking a Code Compliance Attorney to perform responsible professional work in the enforcement of criminal laws under the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordinances under the Code of the City of Roanoke. The successful candidate will prepare and prosecute felony and misdemeanor cases before the General District, Circuit, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in the City of Roanoke. They will also be responsible for the enforcement of matters of interest to the City including violations of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Code for maintenance of existing structures, fire and zoning regulations, and proceedings concerning violations of City ordinances. Additional job responsibilities include but are not limited to representing the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney on the City's Code Team and conferring and coordinating with representatives from the City Attorney's office, law enforcement, and other affected City departments to identify code enforcement needs. Law degree from an accredited law school and five to ten years related experience and/or training in the practice of law; or equivalent combination of education and experience are required. Must be licensed to practice law in the state of Virginia or awaiting bar results.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is an exempt position.

Examples of Duties:
Summary:
Performs responsible professional work in the enforcement of criminal laws under the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordinances under the Code of the City of Roanoke.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.:
  • Prepares and prosecutes felony and misdemeanor cases before the General District, Circuit, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in the City of Roanoke.
  • Responsible for the enforcement of matters of interest to the City including violations of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Code for maintenance of existing structures, fire and zoning regulations, and proceedings concerning violations of City ordinances.
  • Represents the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney on the City's Code Team.
  • Confers and coordinates with representatives from the City Attorney's office, law enforcement, and other affected City departments to identify code enforcement needs.
  • Develops strategies and procedures to bring property owners into compliance, improve public safety, and target specific violations that impact citizens on a neighborhood level.
  • Assists in the preparation of misdemeanor and traffic offense cases and other criminal cases as determined by the Commonwealth's Attorney
  • Assists in the interviewing of witnesses and victims of crime where directed and renders guidance and legal advice where appropriate

Supervisory Responsibilities:
No supervisory responsibilities. May provide guidance to clerical assistants.

Typical Qualifications:
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:
Law degree from an accredited law school and five to ten years related experience and/or training in the practice of law; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental Information:
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints orally or in writing. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Must be a law school graduate licensed to practice in the state of Virginia or pending bar results.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.