Position Description

Are you an attorney who wants to help dedicated clients achieve the City of Seattle’s environmental goals?   Do you value public service?  Do you want to collaborate with skilled clients, colleagues, and professional staff?  If so, take this rare opportunity to apply for a position in the Seattle City Attorney’s Office as a member of the Environmental Protection Section.

There are 200 attorneys and professional staff in the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, with a Civil Division and a Criminal Division.  The Civil Division is organized into practice areas.  The Environmental Protection Section has three attorneys and three professional staff.  We frequently confer with colleagues in other sections of the office.

Our section represents all City departments and elected officials in the full range of environmental legal issues. Much of our work involves state and federal laws regarding contaminated sites (CERCLA and MTCA), the federal Clean Water Act, and water quality regulations.  We also provide legal advice regarding Tribal rights.  Our clients are highly skilled and dedicated to doing what is right for the environment and the people of Seattle.  Our office is committed to providing excellent legal services without impairing our lives outside of work.

In addition to joining a wonderful team, the City Attorney’s Office provides a generous benefit program, including paid parental and family leave, affordable health plans, and the opportunity to participate in a defined benefit retirement program.

Job Responsibilities

Our work varies depending on client needs. On a given day it may involve advising clients how to comply with federal or state environmental regulations or permits, advising about regulatory developments, reviewing potential property acquisitions for environmental issues, drafting a complaint against an entity responsible for environmental contamination, advising inspectors on enforcement of the City’s Stormwater Code, negotiating settlements with regulators or parties that are responsible for contamination, drafting contract provisions, reviewing draft City legislation on environmental topics, and much more.

We spend considerable time working collaboratively with our clients to understand their needs and to develop thoughtful, practical legal strategies to help them achieve the City of Seattle’s objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Membership in good standing with the Washington Bar Association or licensure in another state with the ability to obtain membership in the Washington State Bar within 60 days of accepting an offer of employment.
• Five or more years of experience practicing law or a combination of legal experience and relevant experience in environmental regulatory fields.
• Effective legal writing and oral communication skills.
• Ability to handle complex assignments independently.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people from various backgrounds.

Desired Qualifications

The following experience, knowledge, and abilities are highly desirable for this position:

• Two or more years of legal experience with environmental laws and regulations, especially the federal Clean Water Act and water quality regulation.
• Experience drafting legal documents, including contract provisions and pleadings.
• Experience working for a governmental agency.
• Ability to conceive of creative approaches to address client problems.
• Confidence to dive into new subject areas and the ability to get up to speed quickly.
• Experience with litigation, particularly discovery.

Additional Information

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Compensation and Benefits – Civil ACAs: Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorney's Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. For example, the 2024 annual salary is $101,766 for someone with up to one year of experience, $140,782 for someone with ten years of experience, and $158,861 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. Salaries are not subject to negotiation.
$101,766.24 - $163,774.37.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees.  Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Workplace Environment – The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has implemented an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy.  Employees will have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in office, 3 days remote).  This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Application Process – For your application to be accepted you must:

• Complete the online City Application.
• Attach a resume detailing your relevant experience.
• Attach a cover letter describing your interest in the position.

Application Submission Guidelines – All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.

The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure full consideration for the application submitted.  Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications.  The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy.   The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Questions?  Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.