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Job Description
Salary
- Position Details
- This position is open until filled, with a first review date of Monday, July 21, 2025.
To be considered for the first screening, your application must have been received before 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
The City of Auburn Legal Department is seeking our next talented team member to join us as the Senior City Staff Attorney. This position provides professional legal counsel and expertise to the Mayor, Council, and assigned City departments. In this role, you will advise elected officials and department personnel regarding legal aspects of cases, controversies, claims, and problems, as well as conduct legal research. This position also represents the interests of the City in various civil and criminal litigation, and all other matters as assigned by the City Attorney.
Our ideal candidate is:- A person who is enthusiastic about their career
- Someone who is focused on their duties and outcomes
- A strategic-minded individual who can offer problem solving solutions
Desirable knowledge, skills, and abilities:- An attorney who understands a variety of subject matters that can advise City policymakers and staff
- Someone who has experience with both civil law and procedure, as well as criminal law and procedure
OUR CITY
The City of Auburn was incorporated in 1891, and has since bloomed into a perfect place to live, visit, explore, and play. With over 29.8 square miles of land, two rivers, and two counties, Auburn is home to over 85,000 residents and hundreds of businesses, ranging from manufacturing to retail.
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT
The City Attorney's office represents the City in its day-to-day operations and provides legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, and Boards & Commissions that make up the municipal government of the City of Auburn. The team is a total of 21 employees, consisting of three divisions: Civil, Prosecution, and the City Clerk's office. - Primary Duties
In this role, you will:
- Advise and attend meetings of the City Council and other City governing boards and commissions.
- Advise and provide opinions to City administrators and department heads on issues involving such areas as zoning, law enforcement liability, public safety, Civil Service, contracts, and land use.
- Review and research Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, and court decisions.
- Prepare interpretations and provide legal opinions for City departments, governing boards, or officials.
- Prosecute or defend civil actions by or against the City and/or its officials, officers, or employees in their official capacity in trial courts and on appeal.
- Minimum Qualifications
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
- Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND
- At least four (4) years of legal experience working for a municipality OR five (5) years private law practice, of which three (3) of those years included working with a municipality; AND
- A license to practice law in the state of Washington; AND
- A valid driver's license without pending loss at the time of appointment.
- Additional Information
Why choose Auburn?
The City offers a competitive benefit package exceeding $50,000 annually, including health, vision, and dental insurance with employee premiums paid by the City. The City contributes to the State of Washington Retirement Systems pension plan, makes employer contributions to employees' VEBA account (tax-free health savings account), and Social Security.
Auburn observes 11 holidays (paid) each year, and provides two (2) paid floating holidays of the employee's choice annually (pro-rated upon hire). Vacation and sick leave hours are accrued each pay period, and 40 hours of management leave is issued each year in January (and will be pro-rated upon hire). There are multiple deferred compensation options and opportunity to contribute to a flexible spending account.For more information about what benefits the City provides, please visit: https://auburn.attract.neogov.com/p/benefits.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Team Auburn values diverse perspectives and life experiences, and welcomes applications from people who will help us consistently demonstrate the values of equity, respect, and partnership. The department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. Individuals interested in joining our team must be committed to racial, social, and economic equality for ALL people in our community.
The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.To learn more about the Inclusive Auburn initiative, please visit: https://www.auburnwa.gov/InclusiveAuburn
Ready to apply?
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
The City of Auburn is dedicated to building an inclusive, informed city, with opportunities for all. Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application. You must meet the minimum qualifications to move forward in the screening process.
If identified as a top candidate, a thorough background check - including education verification, reference check, and fingerprinting - will be required before an official appointment will be offered.
Communication from the City of Auburn:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the recruitment process. E-mails from auburnwa.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.
Contact information:
If you have any questions, please contact Chardae Gillespie, HR Coordinator, at cgillespie@auburnwa.gov.
- $143,334.48 - $176,194.56/year
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