City Attorney

City of Centralia; Centralia (WA); On-site; USD 157,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and Sick leave accruals

12 paid Holidays including floating

Executive leave up to 2 weeks annually

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

PERS retirement

VEBA health account

Employee Assistance Program

Deferred Compensation plans

Job summary

The City of Centralia is seeking a City Attorney to provide comprehensive legal services, counsel, and representation for the City. The role oversees prosecutors and staff, drafts ordinances, reviews contracts, and participates in long-range planning to ensure legal compliance and efficiency.

The successful candidate will have a Juris Doctor, active Washington license (or eligible within 6 months), and at least five years of municipal legal experience.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington and be in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association or eligible to become licensed in Washington within 6 months of hire.
• Five or more years of comprehensive legal experience, preferably municipal law for a city government.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate comprehensive legal services for the City.
• Provide legal counsel to City Manager, City Council, staff, and boards/commissions.
• Represent the City in civil, criminal, and administrative hearings.

Skills

Legal research

Independent judgment

Attention to detail

Proactive improvements

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Licensed to practice law in WA

Eligibility to obtain WA license within 6 months

Municipal law experience

Job description

City Attorney
Annual Salary: $157,032 - $193,055
Status: full-time exempt
Position open until filled. Next review of applications will be on September 2, 2026.

What are we looking for:

The City Attorney is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating comprehensive legal services for the City. The City Attorney provides counsel to the City Manager, City Council, city staff, and committees, boards, and commissions; provides legal advice to guide city policies, decisions, and activities; represents the City at various levels in civil, criminal, and administrative hearings; drafts and interprets city ordinances and resolutions; negotiates real property acquisitions and labor contracts; drafts and reviews contracts; and participates in the City’s short- and long-range planning to ensure proper consideration of legal issues.

The City Attorney manages the provision of prosecution services in Municipal Court and may be called on from time to time to provide backup prosecution. The City Attorney is responsible for supervising assistant city attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and code enforcement officers.

The City Attorney must exhibit exceptional attention to detail, thorough legal research skills, and soundindependent judgment. This role requires the initiative to proactively identify legal, operational, andprocedural improvements that support the City’s effectiveness and efficiency.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington and a member in good standing with the
• Washington State Bar Association or who is in good standing of another State Bar Association and hasthe ability to obtain a license to practice in Washington State within 6 months of hire.
• Five or more years of comprehensive legal experience, preferably practicing general municipal law for acity government

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with court systems and administrative hearings.
• Experience providing effective legal support work for elected officials and agency staff.
• Experience with municipal-owned utilities.
• Experience in legal office management.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the candidate with theknowledge, skill, and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Additional Requirements:

Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 daysfrom date of hire and must have a driving record that is acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.Candidate must be able to successfully pass a background check including a criminal history checkand reference check.

Compensation & Benefits:

$157,032 - $193,055 DOQ

• Vacation and Sick leave accruals
• 12 paid Holidays which includes one (1) floating holiday
• Up to two (2) weeks executive leave annually
• Medical, dental and vision insurance options
• City paid $105,000 life insurance
• Long-term disability plan
• Washington State Retirement Systems (PERS)
• Participation in VEBA (Health Reimbursement Account)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Choice of two (2) Employee contributed Deferred Compensation Plans

The City of Centralia is an Equal Opportunity Employerand committed to providing equal opportunity andaccess regardless of race, religion, creed, color, nationalorigin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabled veteranstatus, physical, mental or sensory disability.Women, minorities, veteran and person withdisabilities are encouraged to apply.