Assistant City Attorney II - General Counsel - City of Salem, OR

The City of Salem is seeking a qualified attorney to work as an Assistant City Attorney II, serving as general counsel, primarily advising and representing the Salem Police Department and assisting lead counsel in defense of claims against the City. This is a great opportunity for an attorney who has a passion for civil litigation, particularly in defending public bodies. Courtroom experience and knowledge of civil litigation are preferred, however, the City will strongly consider candidates that have less experience but a passion for litigation and a desire to learn.

As an Assistant City Attorney you’ll play a key role in advising and representing the City on a wide range of municipal law matters. The position will serve as general counsel to the Salem Police Department and assist lead counsel on defense of claims against the City; preparing cases for trial and serving as second chair at trial. As General Counsel to the Salem Police Department, you’ll advise and represent police management and officers on a variety of municipal law issues, including contracts, administrative policies and procedures, and police practices. This position will manage high-stakes cases, including negligence, civil rights, employment, and other cause of action.

You will have the chance to shape the City’s legal strategy, by collaborating with outside counsel, the City Attorney, and the department’s civil litigation team managing pending civil cases against the City, including; reviewing and providing advice on tort claim notices, filing responsive pleadings, engaging in complex discovery, mediating and taking cases to trial in both state and federal court. Depending on your experience, you’ll have the opportunity to take on the responsibility of lead trial counsel. Additionally, appellate experience is highly valued.

As part of your case management responsibilities, this position is expected to keep client departments and individuals apprised of progress in the cases and work with various stakeholders in different roles and specialties, including elected officials. Effective, professional communication is key to navigating the diverse and ever-evolving legal landscape of municipal law.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Our team follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office (555 Liberty St. SE Salem, Oregon 97301), as needed, based on demands of specific tasks and manager approval. This is subject to change based on business needs.
• Position Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm. Occasional early morning and evening meetings.
• The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must pass criminal background check necessary to obtain Criminal Justice Information System clearance and Law Enforcement Data System certification within 30 days of hire (clearance must be maintained throughout employment).
• Doctor of Jurisprudence or equivalent from an accredited college or university of law, and two years of experience in the practice of law, preferably with relevant experience in municipal/government law.
• Admission to and good standing with the Oregon State Bar required.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Preferred Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About us: 

Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across to counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Assistant City Attorney II or view by clicking here.

How can I apply?

The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community. 

To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City of Salem through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.

This announcement is not an implied contract and may be modified or revoked without notice.