Assistant / Senior Assistant City Attorney
City of Bend
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
City of Bend seeks an Assistant City Attorney or Senior Assistant City Attorney to provide professional legal services to the City Council, City Manager, and staff. The role involves legal research, drafting pleadings and opinions, and representing the City in courts and administrative proceedings.
The position supports diverse, high-impact matters and offers a path to leadership within the City Attorney’s Office. Applicants may qualify for either level based on experience.
Qualifications
- JD from an accredited law school.
- Oregon State Bar membership or eligibility.
- Current and valid Driver's license.
Responsibilities
- Provide professional legal services to the City Council, City Manager, staff, and advisory bodies.
- Conduct legal research, draft pleadings and opinions, and advise on public meetings and records laws.
- Represent the City in courts, administrative proceedings, and other forums.
- Draft contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and intergovernmental agreements.
- Assist or lead in litigation and provide day-to-day legal counsel to city departments.
Skills
Education
Job description
The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Assistant City Attorney or Senior Assistant Attorney position, commensurate with experience. The City is open to filling the position at either classification level, and applicants who meet the qualifications for either level are encouraged to apply, This is a FLSA exempt (overtime in-eligible), non-represented position. The City may use this job posting to create an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.
The Assistant / Senior Assistant City Attorney plays a key role in helping shape the future of one of Oregon’s fastest growing and most vibrant communities. In this position, you will provide legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, City staff, and City advisory bodies; conduct legal research; draft a variety of legal documents, pleadings, and opinions; and represent the City in courts, administrative proceedings, and other forums. As part of a collaborative and high-performing organization, you will work on a diverse range of complex and impactful legal matters. Staff in the City Attorney’s Office are integral members of the City’s leadership team. The City Attorney’s Office prides itself on providing excellent legal services as well as critical thinking and strategic advice to the entire City organization.
- To view the Full Assistant City Attorney Classification, click here
- To view the Full Senior Assistant City Attorney Classification, click here
- Provide professional legal services to the City under direction and guidance of the City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, and Senior Assistant City Attorneys.
- As directed by the City Attorney, attend City Council, Planning Commission and other City committee/board meetings and work sessions to address legal issues and provide advice on compliance with public meetings, records and ethics laws, and meeting/hearing procedures.
- Participate in meetings with City staff, applicants/developers, community members and other agencies relating to City business.
- Provide legal advice to staff regarding implementation of Council goals and City and department strategic plans.
- Assist or take lead in competently drafting contracts, ordinances, resolutions, intergovernmental agreements, property transaction documents and legal memoranda.
- Provide day-to-day legal advice to the City Manager, City department heads and staff including Community Development, Engineering, Police, Fire, Finance, Accessibility & Equity, Communications, City Recorder, Code Enforcement, Procurement, Water Services, Transportation & Mobility, Airport, and Affordable Housing.
- As directed by the City Attorney, participate in litigation involving the City, including proceedings in Municipal Court, Land Use Board of Appeals; Circuit Court, District Court and Appellate Court. Typical duties include research and trial preparation, drafting of pleadings, motions and briefs.
- All duties and responsibilities outlined in the Assistant City Attorney role.
- Senior Assistant City Attorney may have leadership and mentoring opportunities and responsibilities.
- Attend City Council, Planning Commission and other public meetings or work sessions as directed by the City Attorney; provide legal advice as requested and provide advice on compliance with public meetings, records and hearings procedures.
- Act as lead attorney for various departments as assigned by the City Attorney.
- Review documents, assist in drafting and developing contracts, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, intergovernmental agreements, property transaction documents, and legal memoranda, to assure legal protection for the City in conformance with applicable local, state and federal laws.
- As directed by the City Attorney, participate in civil litigation involving the City, including matters before the Land Use Board of Appeals, Municipal Court, Circuit Court, District Court and Appellate Court as assigned.
- Research, prepare, and/or defend cases, draft pleadings, motions, and briefs, and recommend decisions regarding litigation strategy.
- Work closely with the City Attorney and City Manager to provide legal advice to all City departments, implement City strategic planning and Council goals. Attend Council meetings as lead attorney when City Attorney is not available.
- Fundamentally, advance and protect the interests of the City and its citizens in all matters in a growing, increasingly complex city.
- A highly qualified candidate is a collaborative, service-oriented attorney who combines strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills with the ability to provide practical, solution-focused advice in a fast-paced municipal environment. This individual is experienced in reviewing and drafting a variety of legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, and intergovernmental agreements, and demonstrates sound judgment when advising elected officials, City leadership, and staff.
- The successful candidate is comfortable navigating public law issues such as public meetings, public records, land use, ethics, and administrative procedures while effectively managing litigation support and court-related matters or demonstrates the ability to quickly gain these skills. They are adaptable, responsive, and committed to advancing the City's goals through high-quality legal counsel, professionalism, and a strong commitment to public service.
- A highly qualified candidate demonstrates the attributes of the Assistant City Attorney classification and is a skilled municipal attorney and trusted strategic advisor who possesses extensive experience in public sector law, complex legal analysis, litigation, and governance matters.
- The successful candidate excels at balancing legal risk with organizational objectives, confidently represents the City in administrative and judicial proceedings, and is effective in presenting legal guidance during public meetings and hearings. With exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills, the Senior Assistant City Attorney proactively advances and protects the City's interests, supports strategic initiatives, and helps navigate the legal complexities associated with a growing and evolving community.
- Knowledge of legal principles and understanding of Oregon law, or ability to learn quickly;
- Researching, interpreting and credibly explaining policies, procedures, codes, laws, and regulations; Making persuasive legal presentations and arguments;
- Problem solving and risk assessment (analyzing situations, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of actions, and recommending appropriate actions);
- Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, department heads, contractors, other agencies, public officials, courts, administrative tribunals and the general public;
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, public officials, other agencies and the general public;
- Participating in a team approach to analyzing and solving legal problems and issues;
- Drafting and interpreting legal documents and making presentations;
- Taking initiative and being innovative in approaches on legal issues under the direction of the City Attorney;
- Seeing connections between clients and providing proactive advice; helping clients think long-term;
- Working effectively in a public and political setting, particularly with the City Council;
- Establishing and maintaining the confidence and trust of public officials and varied clients in multiple City departments;
- Working independently and comfortably in areas of responsibility;
- Modeling and promoting trust, integrity and professionalism;
- Handling multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritizing work effectively;
- Quickly learning and grasping new concepts without a great deal of training;
- Ability to coordinate and participate in litigation;
- Perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited school of law
- Recent graduate or newer attorney (0-5 years) or equivalent experience that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar Association or ability to obtain within a reasonable amount of time following appointment.
- Current and valid Driver's license per City policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- At least one year of experience as a practicing attorney.
- Some municipal or public sector law experience.
- Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited school of law
- 4 or more years of experience as a practicing attorney, or equivalent experience that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar Association or ability to obtain within a reasonable amount of time following appointment.
- Current and valid Driver's license per City policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- Municipal or public sector law experience, specifically in the areas of land use, construction (capital improvements) and procurement, real property and property acquisition, eminent domain, general advice work for government, or similar work for private entity clients that engage in public contracting or interact with governmental entities.
- Some experience at the Land Use Board of Appeals, municipal, state, and/or federal court is desirable, but not required.
Applications received by Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) Pacific Time will be included in an initial review and considerations for interview; however, the position will remain open until filled. Initial interviews will take place virtually the week of Monday, October 19, 2026.
To be considered for this position, applicants must have a complete application that includes all of the following attachments (failure to include required attachments may result in disqualification):
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Attach valid Credentials, Certifications and Licensing (if applicable)
Applications seeking Veteran’s Preference as a qualified veteran or disabled veteran must attach appropriate documentation to their application. For more information click here.
The City of Bend remains committed to building a workforce that advances diversity and inclusion within our community and all we do. We recognize that not everyone starts from the same place, and that gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and other identities face different barriers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive without these barriers. A more extended version of the City of Bend’s Organizational Equity Statement is available upon request.
The City of Bend offers an excellent competitive benefits package for Employees and Dependents for health and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and a robust paid leave program. Details are available on the benefits tab of the job posting.
Starting compensation is determined based on a pay equity analysis considering the candidate’s education, applicable work experience, and internal equity. Please include all relevant information on your application.
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