City Attorney

City of Ames, Iowa; Ames (AR); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Educational assistance and development

Health and dental coverage

IPERS/ICMA-RC retirement plans

Job summary

City of Ames, Iowa seeks a seasoned City Attorney to lead the legal team and provide clear, practical counsel to elected officials.

You will advise the City Council, City Manager, and staff, handling land use, contracts, and policy matters while balancing risk with business-minded solutions.

The role offers a competitive salary up to $150,000 DOQ plus comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance within city limits.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in Iowa state courts or ability to obtain within six months of appointment.
• At least five years of general legal experience, including at least one year in litigation, negotiation, and contract law.
• Some experience in municipal or government law.
• Must pass a credit and background check.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal advisor and attend City Council meetings, advising on the legality of operations, policies, and procedures.
• Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, legal opinions, and other documents.
• Represent the City in litigation and prosecute and defend suits in state and federal court.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the legal team and help administer the department’s budget.
• Advise on land use, municipal utilities, property tax appeals, and construction matters.

Skills

Litigation experience

Negotiation

Contract law

Land use / municipal law

Leadership/management

Education

Juris Doctor degree (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Posting number: 26-9366-01

Department: Legal

Division: City Attorney

Job classification: City Attorney

Posting type: Open

Categories: Attorney

Summary

Are you a seasoned municipal attorney who can advise elected officials with clarity, translate complex law into plain language, and lead a talented legal team? If so, apply to be the City of Ames’s next City Attorney!

We’re looking for an exceptional legal leader who is:

• A trusted, forward-facing advisor to the City Council, department directors, and the public
• A strong land use and local government generalist who balances risk with sound, practical counsel
• A confident litigator and problem solver who reads, interprets, and applies the law - then explains it in plain terms

Ames is a vibrant, progressive community of roughly 68,000 residents in the heart of central Iowa. Home to Iowa State University and located in Story County about 35 miles north of the state capital of Des Moines. Ames operates under a council-manager form of government. The Mayor and City Council set policy, while a professional City Manager oversees day-to-day operations.

The City Attorney’s Office provides full-service legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, city staff, and the City’s boards and commissions, and when available to the city-owned Mary Greeley Medical Center. The City Attorney reports to the Mayor and City Council.

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded local government attorney with strong land use expertise and the judgment to balance risk with practical, business-minded counsel.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to DOQ.

Examples of duties

The City Attorney’s Office provides full-service legal counsel to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, city staff, and the City’s boards and commissions, and - when available - to the city-owned Mary Greeley Medical Center.

• Serve as chief legal advisor and attend City Council meetings, advising on the legality of operations, policies, and procedures
• Draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, legal opinions, and other documents
• Represent the City in litigation and prosecute and defend suits in state and federal court
• Lead, mentor, and manage the legal team and help administer the department’s budget
• Advise on land use, municipal utilities, property tax appeals, and construction matters

Qualifications

Required qualifications include:

• Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
• Admission to practice in Iowa state courts, or the ability to obtain admission within six months of appointmentFive (5) years of experience in general legal practice, including at least one year in litigation, negotiation, and contract law
• Some experience in municipal or government law
• Must pass a credit and background check

Preferred qualifications

• At least three (3) years in management and supervisory capacity over legal staff and/or a department
• At least one (1) year of experience in real estate law or construction contracts
• Demonstrated experience in land use, municipal utilities, and/or property tax matters

Supplemental information

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Compensation: $150,000 to DOQ
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental coverage, with the City contributing 90-95% toward single or family premiums; term life insurance; and pre-tax flexible medical spending.
• Paid Leave: Paid vacation, ten paid holidays annually, and personal and family sick leave.
• Retirement: Choice of two plans - a defined benefit plan (IPERS) or a defined contribution plan - plus an optional deferred compensation plan (ICMA-RC). The City participates in Social Security.
• Additional Perks: Relocation assistance of 10% of salary with a move within city limits; educational assistance and professional development; an award-winning Health Promotions program; and employee discounts on Parks and Recreation programs. As an Iowa public employer, the City is a qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.