City Attorney

The City of DuPont is seeking a collaborative, practical, and solutions-oriented professional to serve as the City's sole in-house attorney and a key member of the Leadership Team. This role offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of municipal issues including land use, labor and employment, governance, contracts, and risk management, while partnering closely with elected officials and staff to support City operations and decision-making. The City values collaboration, approachable leadership, and a practical, team-oriented approach to public service. We work closely across departments, value teamwork and communication, and take a practical, problem-solving approach to getting things done. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys meaningful and varied work, is comfortable working independently, and values being part of a supportive and engaged team environment. The successful candidate will understand the unique role of a municipal attorney and demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and a commitment to serving the best interests of the City as a whole while working collaboratively with elected officials, leadership, and staff. The City offers a competitive benefits package and values work-life balance, including hybrid work flexibility where feasible, generous leave benefits, Washington State retirement, employer HSA contributions, and a workplace culture that recognizes the importance of sustainability, flexibility, and family.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Mayor and City Administrator, the City Attorney serves as legal advisor to the City's elected officials, leadership, and staff. The City Attorney provides independent, objective legal counsel to guide City policies, decisions and operations, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The City Attorney represents the City as a municipal corporation and does not represent individual employees, elected officials, or community members. The position provides legal advice and representation in civil litigation and administrative proceedings, managing outside counsel as appropriate. The City Attorney drafts and interprets City ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents, advises on real property transactions; and participates in the City's short­ and long-range planning to ensure appropriate legal consideration. This position supports the City's risk management efforts by providing legal guidance on risk exposure, mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance matters. This position serves as the City's sole in-house attorney, and is responsible for managing workload, priorities, and legal service across a broad range of municipal functions.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

This position requires a high degree of independent judgement, initiative, and discretion. Under the direction of the Mayor and the City Administrator, the City Attorney is a member of the City's Leadership Team and works closely with department directors, elected officials, and staff to support City operations. This position does not typically supervise staff but may oversee the direct work of outside legal counsel and consultants. Department Directors, including the City Attorney, may be designated to serve in an acting capacity for the City Administrator, as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal advice and guidance on a broad range of municipal matters, including governance, operations, policy development, land use, labor and employment, contracts, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Attend and participate in City Council meetings, executive sessions, hearings, and other public meetings; advise elected officials and staff on municipal operations, decision-making, ethics requirements, and compliance with Open Public Meetings Acts (OPMA) and other applicable laws. .
• Attend and participate in County, regional and State-wide legal task forces, committees, associations and organizations on a variety of issues.
• Represent the City in litigation, administrative proceedings, and other legal matters.
• Oversee and manage outside counsel as appropriate.
• Provide legal advice to guide City policies, decisions and activities; draft, review, and interpret City ordinances, resolutions, contracts, interlocal agreements, policies, and other legal documents to protect the City's interests.
• Participate in short- and long-range planning; identify legal risks and options; advise on matters impacting City operations, policy decisions, and real property transactions.
• Participate as a member of the City's labor negotiations team and advise on labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining, contract interpretation, grievances, investigations, discipline, personnel matters, workplace policies, and compliance with federal and state employment laws.
• Support land use and planning functions by advising on zoning, development regulations, quasi-judicial matters, due process, appearance of fairness requirements, and compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA); assist departments in the development, revision, interpretation, and implementation of the DuPont Municipal Code (DMC), ordinances, resolutions, and related regulatory documents.

• Advise on Public Records Act (PRA) compliance, public works contracting, procurement requirements, other legal and regulatory requirements affecting City operations.
• Evaluate legal risk and provide recommendations regarding litigation strategy, settlement, and the use of outside counsel; assign, direct, and coordinate outside legal services as appropriate.
• Track legal and policy issues of importance to the City; monitor legal developments, legislative changes, and emerging issues affecting municipal government.
• Recommend appropriate actions, policy considerations, and operational practices to support legal compliance, reduce risk, and advance City objectives.
• Provide legal guidance and support during complex, high-profile, sensitive, or emergent situations involving operational, legal, or reputational risk.
• Coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with courts, regulatory agencies, regional partners, and organizations.
• Independently priorities workload and manage multiple competing demands while maintaining responsiveness, professionalism, and sound legal judgement.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctorate degree and admission to practice law in the State of Washington, along with progressively responsible experience in municipal law or related areas relevant to local government including land use, labor and employment, governance, contracts, litigation, public records and regulatory compliance; or an equivalent combination of related education, experience, and training that, in the opinion of the City, would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully performs the essential functions of the position. Experience advising public agencies or elected officials is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive municipal law, including torts, contracts, land use, utilities, labor and employment law, transportation, constitutional law, government/administrative law and municipal finance.
• Theory, structure and practice of municipal law, particularly as it applies to the Mayor/ Council form of government.
• Civil litigation, administrative proceedings, and legal risk management practices.
• Budget preparation and control.
• Research methods and report writing techniques.
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• Effective public speaking techniques.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and respect.
• Washington State statutes (RCW), administrative codes (WAC) and relevant case law effective municipal government operations.

Public sector labor relations and collective bargaining practices.

Ability to:

• Communicate complex legal issues orally and in writing to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive, effective and professional manner.
• Exercise sound, independent legal judgement and apply legal principles to complex municipal issues and decision-making.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships and navigate complex interpersonal, political, and operational dynamics with professionalism, tact, and discretion.
• Analyze issues, identify risk, and develop practical, defensible, and solutions-oriented recommendations.
• Manage a broad and varied workload independently while balancing competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical standards in a public sector environment.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer; Microsoft Office and related software programs; copier/scanner, and other miscellaneous small office programs and equipment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described herein 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are necessary to operate computers and standard office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

SELECTION GUIDELINE

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference checks are required. Job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description and or announcement does not constitute an expressed or implied employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice. Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-912-5388 or duponthr@dupontwa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The City of DuPont supports workplace diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran's status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Disability:

in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability will be considered only in the context of an applicant's ability to perform essential functions of the job and to determine reasonable accommodation. Accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment will be made upon request with reasonable notice. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information. The physical demands described in this job announcement 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.

Drug-Free Workplace:

The City of DuPont is a drug-free, tobacco-free workplace. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment of persons hired by the City will be contingent upon presentation of acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization of employment in the United States. Applicants who are offered employment must provide acceptable documents verifying identity and work authorization within three business days of the hire date.