Assistant City Attorney I/II/III

City of Mesa; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 109,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Mesa is recruiting for an Assistant City Attorney I in the Land Use Unit. The role advises City departments on land use and development matters, with potential assignment to Administrative Unit depending on needs and experience.

Strong writing and legal research skills are essential for this at-will, non-classified role. Salary ranges from $108,674 to $151,478 annually; early review occurs weekly until filled.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and legal research skills are required.
• Land-use and development law experience is preferred.
• Attorneys advise City departments and officials on a range of matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal research, drafting, representation, and practical legal advice to City clients on departmental matters.
• Assist in administrative and land-use matters for City projects and policies.
• Draft and negotiate agreements, policies, ordinances, and resolutions; represent the City as needed.

Skills

Land use law

Administrative law

Civil defense litigation

Legal research skills

Drafting

Negotiation of agreements

Written communication

Job description

Description/Duties

The first review ofall applications will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and weekly thereafter until filled.
The current vacancy will be filled at either the Assistant City Attorney I, II, or III level. The City Attorney's Office is recruiting primarily for an assignment in the Land Use Unit, where the attorney will advise City departments and officials on a wide range of land use and development matters. Accordingly, land use and development law experience is preferred. Depending on the needs of the City Attorney's Office and the applicant's experience, the successful applicant may instead be assigned to the Administrative Unit.
These classifications have been designated as non-classified, non-merit system, at-will positions.
Assistant City Attorney I ($108,674.59 - $151478.50 annually)

An Assistant City Attorney I performs professional civil municipal legal work involving a wide variety of legal issues, cases, and projects. Depending on assignment, an Assistant City Attorney I’s practice area will be in administrative law, land use and development law, or civil defense litigation. All assignments require excellent writing and legal research skills. Attorneys in this classification provide legal research, drafting, representation, and practical legal advice to City clients on departmental matters, programs, and projects. An Assistant City Attorney I works initially with the assistance of a more experienced attorney, with progression to handling their duties independently. Some assignments may involve specialization or a primary focus (such as land-use planning, public safety, environmental law, public utilities, procurement, human resources, public records law, commercial real estate transactions, or the defense of federal claims); however, employees are expected to assist in a variety of areas as this class performs related duties as required or assigned.

Administrative and Land Use Municipal Law Units: Administrative and Land Use Unit attorneys must have knowledge of general municipal law impacting the City as they serve as legal counsel to the City Council, City management, and the City's numerous departments, boards, and committees. Assigned attorneys are responsible for: providing legal services to the City Council and City management; performing difficult professional and administrative legal work, including the drafting and negotiation of agreements, policies, ordinances, and resolutions; representing the City at administrative