Assistant City Attorney, Senior (Natural Resources/Environmental)

ABOUT BELLINGHAM:

Join the City of Bellingham, where talented and dedicated employees work together with the community to build a sustainable, equitable, and thriving city. Bellingham offers a majestic setting with extensive recreational and cultural opportunities, strong local government services, and a robust economy. With a population of over 95,000, Bellingham is one of the best places in the country to live, work, and play.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY:

The City of Bellingham is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Assistant City Attorney to join our team in the City Attorney’s Office. In this exciting role, you’ll work on a wide range of impactful legal matters in environmental law, natural resources, and public infrastructure. Key areas of focus will include water quality and water resource management (including stream adjudication), real estate transactions involving environmentally sensitive lands, and public infrastructure projects with an environmental impact. If you're passionate about making a meaningful difference in the community while addressing complex legal challenges, we want to hear from you! Visit our website to learn more about the opportunity and to apply online at www.cob.org/jobs.

Closing Date: Mon., 06/23/2025, at 8:30 AM Pacific Time

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Admission to the Washington State Bar and a member in good standing throughout duration of employment, and
• Four years of professional legal experience as an attorney with a preference for experience that is substantially related to one or more responsible areas of practice, OR Four years of experience as Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bellingham.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skill and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.
• Incumbents may not engage in the private practice of law while employed.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The current full salary range for this position is $10,773/month - $13,096/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the E-Team Handbook and City policy.

Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 13.33 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.