City of Beaverton, OR - City Attorney

at  Raftelis

The City of Beaverton is seeking a City Attorney to direct and manage the City Attorneys Office and serve as the chief legal advisor to the City and its Council, City Manager, City staff, and departments on a broad range of advanced and complex legal issues. The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and serves with integrity and respect at all times. They collaborate across the organization to produce the highest quality results while working towards accomplishing the Citys vision, goals, and strategic plan. The City Attorney actively promotes the Citys organizational values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and encourages a positive and supportive work environment that prioritizes a culture of collaboration and clear communication.
The City Attorney leads the activities and operations of the City Attorneys Office and its three divisions: General Counsel, Prosecution, and Risk Management. The City Attorney develops and implements the office strategic plan, determines priorities, and collaborates with staff to establish annual work plans with identified goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes. They establish proper service and staffing levels and allocate resources accordingly to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. The City Attorney develops annual and supplemental budgets for the City Attorneys Office, including the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
The City Attorney provides proactive legal advice and representation to the City Council, City Manager, City staff, and all the Citys departments, agencies, boards, and commissions regarding a broad range of matters affecting the Citys policies and practices. They actively participate in the development of citywide goals, objectives, policies, and priorities and collaborate with the City Manager, department directors, and employees regarding significant policy and procedural changes. This position drafts, reviews, and/or negotiates the Citys contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, orders, policies, and procedures. The City Attorney collaborates with their staff to commence, defend, or manage civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings at trials, hearings, and on appeal. In addition, the City Attorney directs the work of outside contract attorneys as necessary.

The Priorities

• Develop an understanding of our organization, become familiar with our City Council vision and priorities, and ensure alignment with the Citys strategic initiatives.
• Effectively partner with the City Manager to understand operational issues, identify and assess potential legal implications, and proactively provide guidance and advice to facilitate citywide initiatives.
• Engage as an active member of the Executive Leadership Team. Partner with colleagues and work across departments to advance Council goals and City priorities in alignment with Beaverton’s organizational values and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Quickly come up to speed on the current work of the City Attorneys Office. Actively discuss cases, develop strategies as needed, and successfully partner with the staff to provide sound legal advice on ongoing initiatives.
• Embrace the values of the Beaverton community. Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the issues affecting the community, advance creative solutions, and balance political neutrality with recognition of Council and community goals in order to successfully navigate future complex legal issues.
• Work in partnership with the City Manager to support and implement the new City Charter and ongoing transition to the Council-Manager form of government. Educate the Council as needed to ensure they make informed policy decisions in the best interest of the Beaverton community.
• Ensure effective communication. Proactively provide ongoing updates to City Council on strategic initiatives, legal matters, and progress on the work of the City Attorneys Office.

The Successful Candidate
The new City Attorney is a strategic systems thinker who will quickly understand Beaverton’s values and easily see the big picture and long-term vision for the City. The ideal candidate maintains an understanding of the issues affecting the Beaverton community and leverages that knowledge to provide sound legal advice. With unquestioned integrity and ethics, the City Attorney is considered a thought partner and works in the best interest of the City at all times.
The ideal candidate is apolitical yet politically astute, with a strong history of developing effective relationships with elected officials to provide expert legal advice and interpretation that ultimately advance City Council goals and initiatives. Considered an active listener, the City Attorney is an effective communicator who promotes clear and concise communication to reduce ambiguity and is known for being candid in their interactions with elected officials. They are a confident leader who effectively navigates complex and controversial issues with ease and are strong enough and humble enough to stand up to pressure and provide unpopular advice when needed.
With a City first mentality, the City Attorney embraces collaboration and effortlessly partners with City leadership to identify solutions and provide legal advice and guidance in support of organizational goals. With a focus on customer service, the City Attorney partners with colleagues and legal staff to creatively solve problems while providing sound advice to complex local government problems. The City Attorney demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key organizational value and is committed to contributing to a culture that fosters belonging. They support a culture of accountability and actively promote the value of respect in a multicultural society.
The City Attorney is intellectually curious, has substantial local government law experience, and leverages that knowledge to anticipate issues, determine risk, identify solutions, and provide legal analysis. They embrace change and continuous improvement, challenge the status quo, and wont shy away from complex legal issues. The successful candidate brings a broad and diverse background in municipal government with legal expertise in more than one area, including but not limited to land use, real estate, transportation, contracts, litigation, criminal, employment, public safety, legislative, and public meetings. Knowledge and experience with a municipal court is beneficial. The City Attorney values and appreciates all levels of government and works to build relationships with the state, county, and neighboring jurisdictions.
The City Attorney is a highly effective leader who employs a leadership style that invites participation, builds trust, and empowers staff. The ideal candidate brings a proven background in mentoring and developing employees and believes in effectively building the internal capacity of their team while also knowing when its appropriate to engage outside Counsel. They regularly solicit input from the team and leverage the in-depth knowledge and expertise of staff to collectively determine the Citys legal liability, defend claims, and ultimately seek efficient and effective resolutions.
Qualifications
A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible legal experience relevant to municipal law is required. Direct leadership experience managing attorneys and paraprofessional legal personnel is essential. A broad and diverse municipal government background with legal expertise in more than one area of law is required. Direct experience working in a large and/or complex agency with an elected body in the Council-Manager form of government is ideal. A strong budget and financial management background is essential. Knowledge of federal, state, and local civil and administrative law, including statutes, regulations, rules, and ordinances applicable to city operations, functions, and personnel, is required.
A Juris Doctor from a fully accredited law school is required. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Oregon and be a member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar or licensed in a state with the ability to be admitted to the Oregon State Bar prior to start date. Oregon Criminal Justice Information Services security clearance must be obtained prior to the start date.
It is widely statedand supported by studiesthat candidates, especially women, are less likely to apply for a job unless they believe they meet 100% of the hiring criteria. The Citys talent acquisition goals include hiring the candidate who is best able to meet the performance objectives of the role. We, therefore, encourage persons with non-traditional skill sets and experiences to apply, even if you believe you do not meet 100% of the qualifications and hiring criteria described.
Inside the Organization
On January 1, 2021, the City of Beaverton transitioned from a mayor-council form of government to a council-manager form. Beaverton voters approved the new City Charter in May of 2020. Under this new form of government, the City Council consists of a Mayor and six Councilors, all of whom are elected at-large on a nonpartisan basis to four-year terms. The Mayor is the full-time political and ceremonial head of the city and presides over Council meetings. The City Manager is appointed by Council and charged with overseeing all city operations except for the City Attorneys Office, and Municipal Court Judges.
Beaverton employs 640 talented and dedicated employees. Currently, eleven departments are responsible for the wide variety of public services within the City: City Attorneys Office, City Managers Office, Community Development, Community Engagement and Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Services, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Library, Police, and Public Works.

Beaverton has an FY24-25 budget of $499.3 Million that reflects the priorities of the City Council. The City is committed to meeting its goals by embracing its community vision; advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; proactively responding to climate change; and striving for fiscal sustainability. The Citys 2024 strategic goals are:

• Inclusive Community
• Good Government
• Safety
• Housing
• Economic Prosperity
• Quality Infrastructure
• Environmental Sustainability
• Community Wellness and Fun

Please refer the Job description for details