Associate City Attorney

Salary: $7,877.00 - $9,992.00 Monthly

Location : Lakewood, WA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Job Number: 24-00031

Department: Legal/City Clerk

Opening Date: 10/18/2024

JOB SUMMARY The City of Lakewood is a qualified member of the PERS WA State Retirement System.
Position to remain posted until filled.


Under the direction of the City Attorney, prosecute criminal matters, code violations, impound and forfeiture cases, and contested civil infractions before Lakewood Municipal Court and Pierce County District Court; Represent the City in Municipal Court and Superior Court on appeals.
This is a front line attorney position that requires independent thinking, sound reasoning, quick and accurate analysis and judgement, and direct dealing with Defense Attorneys, Law Enforcement, Victims, Witnesses, and Court Administration.
Attorneys in this position will receive on the job training and are initially assigned less complex criminal legal matters and will assume responsibility for more difficult and complex assignments as experience is gained.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES

May include but are not limited to the following:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: May include but are not limited to the following:

Advisory: Assist the City Attorney as directed in advising the Police Departments on new cases and procedures, communicate with law enforcement and the court system, and meet with police officers in preparation of bench and jury trials.


Meetings: Participate in meetings and advise departments on matters related to Municipal Court prosecution such as court relations, code enforcement, and special emphasis programs, which may occasionally require attending evening meetings or city council meetings.


Attendance: Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Court is both Virtual and In-Person.
Telework is available when In-Person Court appearance and/or In-Person work/meetings are not required and job expectations are being met.


Prosecution: Represent the City of Lakewood in both criminal and civil violations of Lakewood's Municipal Code and RCW's adopted within; Responsible for all aspects of prosecution including investigation, arraignments, pre-trial hearings and motions, suppression hearings, bench and/or jury trials, sentencing, review hearings, and appeals; Document Preparation such as motions, briefs, memorandums, jury instructions; Fill-in, Edit and Review Court Orders, such as Plea, Sentencing, Review, and Protection/Trespass Orders; Make Charging/Filing decisions; Maintain good communication with victims, witnesses, law enforcement, defense attorneys, pro-se defendants, and court staff; Negotiate criminal cases to resolution; and Manage Criminal Appeals (based on time and experience in position).


Research: Conduct necessary legal research to adequately represent the city in court for both criminal and civil matters; Understand and defend the constitutionality of city ordinances; Screen police reports to identify incidents wherein charges should be filed; and Possess basic knowledge of current law, legislative updates, and court opinions/decisions.


Safety: Actively commit to workplace safety through everyday actions and leadership.


Other Duties: As assigned, which may involve civil legal work, administrative hearings, and presentations to the City Council and residents.


EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS PREFERED:

One year or more of experience practicing criminal law - solo, with a firm, or with a government agency that deals with misdemeanor law.
REQUIRED: A law degree from an accredited university required; and Admission to Washington State Bar Association, at time of hire and throughout employment in this position; and Valid Washington State driver's license with a driving record that meets an acceptable standard for safety, at the point of hire and throughout employment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES KNOWLEDGE OF: Washington State, Pierce County, and other local laws and regulations; Rules of evidence and local Rules of procedure; Principles, practices, and procedures of criminal law; Sentencing Guidelines/Mandatory Minimums for Misdemeanor Charges; Computer-Based File Tracking System, such as Lawbase; Court Administration systems such as OCourts, JABS/JIS, and NCIC ABILITY TO: Effectively organize and prioritize large caseloads and meet schedules and deadlines; Work independently with little direction and communicate work load status; Efficiently and appropriately prepare, manage, and resolve cases within legal requirements and office standards; Understand city codes, RCW's, legal precedents and apply facts to standards, determining best outcomes for the City in resolving cases; Respectfully and competently represent the City in hearings, conferences, negotiations, meetings, and other legal proceedings; Litigate cases in a professional manner using persuasive and affective oral and written presentations and arguments; WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works primarily indoors in a climate-controlled office environment with low noise levels.


PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Constant use of sight, hearing, and speech abilities necessary to perform essential functions and communicate with others.
Frequent fine finger manipulation and use of hands and arms in reaching, handling, fingering, grasping while operating office equipment and computers, preparing written documentation, handling paperwork, etc.
Frequent and extended sitting at times while doing desk activities.
Frequent bending, twisting at waist, knees, neck while working at desk, worktable, or moving from sitting to standing position.
Frequent standing in combination with walking (short distances) throughout work shift in office areas.
Occasional pushing/pulling force up to 10 pounds opening doors, drawers, etc.
Ability to lift/carry boxes up to 20 pounds.
Requires mental acuity to ensure thorough mental analysis of situations in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle for transportation to off-site meetings/events.


HAZARDS

Contact with dissatisfied or abusive or potentially dangerous individuals.
Driving a vehicle during adverse weather conditions.


FLSA DESIGNATION

Exempt, not eligible for overtime.


UNION AFFILIATION

Non-represented.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY - The City of Lakewood is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages, supports, and celebrates respect, empowerment, diversity, and inclusion for all.
We welcome your contributions!


BENEFITS SUMMARY
for
REGULAR STATUS, GENERAL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

This is a summary of benefits and is not meant to be all inclusive.
Please refer to City policies and plan booklets for details.


WORK HOURS
The normal work week is five consecutive days of not more than eight hours per day, exclusive of lunch period.
City Hall is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where appropriate, alternative work schedules may be established, providing that not more than forty hours are scheduled per work week.


SALARY INCREASES
Upon successful completion of an annual performance evaluation and annually thereafter, an employee may receive a salary increase based on merit or performance.
However, no employee may exceed the maximum of their salary range.


COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT
The City Council determines a cost of living adjustment (COLA) annually during the budget process.
The COLA is based on factors such as: Consumer Price Index, market trends, Implicit Price Deflator, and the City's financial situation.


HOLIDAYS
Employees are granted the following paid holidays:
New Year's Day
M.L.
King, Jr. Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving
the day after Thanksgiving
Christmas day

Employees accrue one floating holiday on their anniversary date, which must be used within the following 12 month period.
Holiday pay is pro-rated for employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week. COMBINATION LEAVE
Combination leave is a benefit granted to employees to continue normal compensation during approved absences.
Combination leave may be used after 60 days of employment.
Leave can be accrued without limit during the calendar year, however the maximum accrual amount that can be carried forward from one calendar year to the next shall not exceed two times the amount of the employee's current accrual rate.


Accrual Rate:

During the 1st year 120 hours of leave per year
After the 1st thru 2nd year 128 hours of leave per year
After the 2nd thru 4th year 136 hours of leave per year
After the 4th thru 9th year 152 hours of leave per year
After the 9th thru 14th year 184 hours of leave per year
After the 14th thru 20th year 216 hours of leave per year
After the 20th thru 29th year 232 hours of leave per year
After the 29th year 240 hours of leave per year

Combination leave accrual is pro-rated for employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week. MEDICAL LEAVE
Medical leave is a benefit granted to employees to continue normal compensation during absences caused by illness, injury, etc.
Medical leave is accrued at 64 hours per year (pro-rated for employees working less than 40 hours per week).
It is available for use after 90 days of employment.


SHARED LEAVE
If an employee exhausts all paid leave, they may be eligible to receive donated combination leave to cover an absence caused by illness or injury.


MILITARY LEAVE
Employees who are members of any federal military reserve unit or the Washington National Guard will receive up to twenty-one working days of paid leave during each year beginning October 1 and ending September 30, while engaged in active training duty or active duty.


The City will maintain continuity of health benefits to employees' families when employees are ordered to involuntary active military duty.
Military differential pay is available during active military duty of more than 30 days and for no longer than 24 months.

JURY DUTY LEAVE
Employees will be paid their regular compensation while serving on jury duty provided they forfeit the juror's daily stipend to the City.


RETIREMENT PLAN
Employees and the City make contributions to the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3.


Under Social Security's Government Pension Offset, any Social Security spouse's or widow's or widower's benefits you may be entitled to will be reduced based on any pension you receive from the City's retirement plan.


SOCIAL SECURITY REPLACEMENT
In lieu of Social Security, the City provides an alternative plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation.
The employee contributes 6.20% and the City contributes 4.77% of the employee's salary.
The employee's investment choices range from conservative (low risk) to aggressive (high risk) opportunities.
Employees are immediately 100% vested in the plan.


Under Social Security's Windfall Elimination Provision, any Social Security retirement or disability benefits you may be entitled to will be reduced based on any pension you receive from this replacement plan.

VOLUNTARY 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Participation in a 457 deferred compensation plan is available to employees through payroll deduction.
This is an optional investment program offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation or Washington Department of Retirement Systems.
The City matches an employee's contribution up to 3% of the employee's base monthly pay rate.


VOLUNTARY FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
The Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125) is an optional tax savings program which is offered to employees annually.
It allows employees to reduce taxable income by using part of their salary on a pretax basis to pay for out of pocket health care expenses and dependent care costs.


The effective date of health insurance is the first day of the month following hire.

MEDICAL INSURANCE
Three medical plans are offered to employees and dependents through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC): the Regence High Deductible Health Plan (with a health savings account), the Regence HealthFirst Plan ($250 deductible), and the Kaiser Permanente Plan ($200 deductible).


Premiums for employees and dependents are pro-rated for employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week.


Employees may be eligible to opt out of medical insurance coverage to receive a $3,000 annualized contribution (pro-rated for part-time employees) to their deferred compensation account, flexible spending account (IRS Section 125), and/or pay.


EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, confidential resource available to employees, dependents and household members.
The EAP provides professional counseling assistance in addressing a variety of concerns ranging from substance abuse to relationship issues.
The premiums are paid by the City.


VISION INSURANCE*
A separate vision plan provides for annual eye examinations for employees and dependents.
A $25 deductible benefit is also provided for lenses, frames and contact lenses.


DENTAL INSURANCE*
Washington Dental Service (WDS) Plan E insurance is provided through AWC.
This is an incentive based plan - 70% to 100% of the cost for Class I and Class II benefits (routine exams, basic cleanings, x-rays, fillings, etc.)
is covered.
Class III benefits (crowns, inlays and onlays) are paid at 50%.
The plan pays a maximum of $2,000 per individual annually for covered benefits per incentive period (a calendar year).
A separate orthodontia plan provides a one time orthodontia benefit of $1,000 for eligible children.


*The City pays the entire premium cost for full-time employees and their dependents.
Premiums for part-time employees and their dependents are pro-rated based on the employee's FTE status.


LIFE & LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
The City provides the following insurance coverage for employees through Standard Insurance (a copy of each plan certificate will be provided during orientation).
The insurance is effective the first of the month following hire, unless an employee is hired on the first day of the month, in which case the coverage is effective immediately.


SURVIVOR INCOME LIFE INSURANCE
A monthly survivor income benefit is paid to an employee's eligible spouse and children upon the employee's death.
Prior to any reduction for Social Security survivor's benefits, a benefit amount equal to 30% of the employee's insured earnings is paid to the spouse or children, and 60% is paid if both spouse and children survive.


BASIC LIFE INSURANCE/ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT
A benefit equal to the employee's annual salary rounded up to the next thousand to a maximum of $170,000.


LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD)
Effective after 90 days of continuous disability.
The maximum amount of the LTD benefit is 60% of earnings or $5,000 per month, whichever is less.


VOLUNTARY SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE
Employees may elect to apply for $30,000 to $300,000 in supplemental term life insurance coverage.
Spouses may also be insured.
Premiums are paid entirely by the employee.


ADDITIONAL VOLUNTARY INSURANCE PLANS
Additional insurance plans are available to employees through AFLAC, such as accident/disability, cancer, STD, dental and hospital intensive care.


01

Have you graduated from an accredited law school?
Yes No

02

Are you licensed to practice law in Washington State?
If yes, provide your WSBA number.
Yes No

03

This position requires a cover letter and resume to be included for consideration.
Have you attached both of these documents to your application?
Yes No

04

Please explain why you are interested in this opportunity and why you would be an asset to the City of Lakewood.


05

Provide examples of your ability to handle a heavy and varied caseload and meet multiple deadlines.


06

Please indicate your trial experience, which may include mock trial work, by denoting the number of Jury Trials, Bench Trials, and/or Administrative Hearings you have litigated.
Please include the case names, cause numbers, and hearing dates - if available.


07

Describe your customer service experience and how you handle interacting with difficult people.


08

Describe your experience working with law enforcement agencies and/or court administration.


09

Describe your experience with legal technology - include judicial systems, case management systems, research technologies, and any other legal technology that you are familiar with and have experience utilizing.


10

Do you have a valid Washington state driver's license and a driving record that meets an acceptable standard for safety?
Yes No

Required Question