City Attorney

City Attorney Position Applications are accepted continuously. The first review will take place on June 25, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early for best consideration. The City of Sumner is looking for an experienced, strategic, and community‑minded attorney to serve as our next City Attorney. This is far more than a traditional legal role; you will be a key member of the City’s leadership team, helping shape policies, guide major decisions, protect public interests, and navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with a growing and vibrant community. We're looking for someone who can confidently move between the council chambers and the courtroom, provide practical legal advice to elected officials and staff, draft clear and effective ordinances, negotiate complex agreements, and help chart the City’s future with a thoughtful legal perspective. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor, collaborative problem‑solver, skilled communicator, and strategic thinker who enjoys public service and isn’t afraid to tackle a little bit of everything. If you thrive in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same, value building strong relationships, and want to make a meaningful impact on a community that is proud of its past and excited about its future, we’d love to meet you. __________________ This is a full‑time Fair Labor Standards Act exempt position. Attendance at evening meetings is required, and the employee is subject to after‑hours emergency contact. This position serves under an individual employment agreement and is not subject to Civil Service rules or protections. General Purpose The City Attorney serves as the chief legal officer of the City and is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the provision of comprehensive legal services to the City. The City Attorney advises and represents the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, departments, boards, commissions, and other City officials and employees on a broad range of municipal legal matters. Key Responsibilities Provide legal counsel regarding municipal governance, policy development, regulatory compliance, public records and open government requirements, labor and employment matters, contracts, land use and development, risk management, real property transactions, and other matters affecting the City’s operations and interests. Direct supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff, directly and indirectly. Schedule and attend regular and special City Council sessions; provide legal advice as required. Attend and participate in meetings and conferences with other City commissions and committees; provide legal advice as required. Prepare, interpret, and enforce ordinances and regulations of the City. Review, interpret, and enforce any contract or inter‑local agreement to which the City is a party. Review proposed and enacted State and federal legislation; recommend appropriate responses to protect the City’s legal interests. Represent the City in court and before various administrative bodies. Prepare and ensure fiscal responsibility of the department budget; control and monitor expenses within the budget. Lead City‑wide long‑range and strategic planning activities in coordination with the City Administrator. Participate in the City’s short and long‑range planning to assure proper consideration of legal issues; identify optional positions for the City on legal matters. Negotiate real property acquisitions. Conduct employee performance evaluations; recognize superior job performance; administer corrective and disciplinary actions for undesirable performance consistent with established City policy. Evaluate and award legal contracts to outside counsel; coordinate outside counsel work to ensure compliance with specifications, timelines, budget, and legal requirements. Coordinate Department functions with other City departments to ensure unified progress toward City objectives. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Graduation from law school with a Juris Doctorate degree, licensed to practice law in the State of Washington; and five (5) years of experience in the field of law with at least three (3) years municipal experience in criminal and/or civil matters, land use, labor law, transportation, general municipal law and administrative law; or a combination of education, experience, and training that indicates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position listed above. Special Requirements Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Comprehensive municipal law, including torts, contracts, land use, utilities, labor law, public records, criminal law, constitutional law, government and administrative law, and municipal finance. Current literature, trends and developments in the field of municipal law. Courtroom procedures and techniques. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City personnel, outside agencies, and the general public. Guide, direct, and motivate employees. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Effectively delegate duties and responsibilities. Ability To Present legal arguments and opinions effectively and persuasively in writing and verbally. Advise the City Council and staff on legal matters in a clear and concise manner. Conduct research on legal matters related to the administration of the City. Interpret and apply City policies, procedures, law and regulations relating to management activities. Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to various situations. Resolve conflicts and gain cooperation among conflicting groups. Complete work and projects in a thorough and timely manner. Effectively train, supervise, and evaluate department personnel (directly or indirectly). Apply judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies. Operate a personal computer with associated software and peripherals. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and possess active listening skills. Maintain confidentiality of information. Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work. Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance. Understand the City’s political environment and sensitivities. Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, accurate and customer‑orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including business owners, government officials, general public and other staff. Contribute to achieving the City’s Mission. Physical Requirements The physical demands/work environment described is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Requirements may be subject to modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Physical Demands Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities to perform essential functions and communicate with others. Constant fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching, handling, picking, and gripping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc. Frequent sitting, may be extended at times, while doing desk activities. Requires mental acuity to ensure thorough mental analysis of situations in a fast‑paced environment. Work Environment Works indoors in a climate‑controlled office environment with low noise levels with occasional travel to other work sites. Required to work evenings, including public meetings. Selection Guidelines Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job‑related tests may be required. Background Checks Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant’s employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held, and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure, and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first. Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant. Employment Eligibility Verification: Form I‑9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. Educational Verification: confirms the applicant’s claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received. Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history: The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position. The time since the conviction. The number (if more than one) of convictions. Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors. Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual’s driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position. Credit History: confirms candidate’s credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Equal Opportunity Employer The City is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, terminates and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants on the basis of job‑related qualifications and competence. These policies shall be applied without regard to any individual’s sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, sensory, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation including gender expression and identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim or other basis prohibited by law. Drug Free Workplace The City of Sumner is a drug free workplace. The City is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over‑the‑counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol. Benefits Full‑time, permanent employees receive medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and LEOFF plan for Police; advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City‑sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives. Medical Coverage: The City provides Regence High Deductible Medical Plan coverage for eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger. The City contributes each year to the employee’s Health Savings Account. Employer contributions to the HSA are pro‑rated for employees starting after the first of the year. Dental Coverage: Delta Dental insurance is covered at 100% for eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger. Vision Coverage: VSP $0 cost share plan is provided for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to receive paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type. Regular full time employees earn PTO upon hire and increases with additional years of service. Insurance Plans: All full‑time, permanent employees are covered by a long‑term disability plan through the Hartford at no cost to the employee. All full‑time, permanent employees are covered by a $50,000 or $80,000 (police) Life Insurance plan at no cost to the employee. Deferred Compensation 457(b): Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income. The City makes a flat monthly contribution of $185 for non‑police positions and $250 for police represented positions. There is no contribution requirement on behalf of the employee. Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police are included in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Police Officers are included in the DRS LEOFF2 plan. For more information about DRS including current rates visit: drs.wa.gov Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi‑weekly basis (every other Friday). Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule or collective bargaining agreement. Union Affiliation: Some job classifications are eligible for union membership. Union Collective Bargaining Agreements: Find the CBA’s on our employment site here: #J-18808-Ljbffr