Deputy City Attorney - Municipal/Land Use

<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="https://secure.neogov.com/images/AgencyImages/jobposting/2143/jobpostings/image/headerProfessionalLineArtOnly.jpg" data-uw-rm-alt="QU" data-uw-rm-alt-original="headerProfessionalLineArtOnly.jpg" data-id="null" data-name="headerProfessionalLineArtOnly.jpg" alt="headerProfessionalLineArtOnly.jpg" data-url="https://secure.neogov.com/images/AgencyImages/jobposting/2143/jobpostings/image/headerProfessionalLineArtOnly.jpg" style="width: 900px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p data-pasted="true" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Job Appointment: </strong>Full-Time, At Will.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position. It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority, subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and the Portland City Charter and Code.</em></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Work Schedule: </strong>Monday – Friday, 8 am-5 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Work Location: </strong>1221 SW 4TH AVE, PORTLAND OR 97204</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Benefits: </strong>Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Language Pay Premium Eligible: </strong>This position may be eligible for <a href="https://www.portland.gov/bhr/class-comp/language-pay-differential-overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.portland.gov/bhr/class-comp/language-pay-differential-overview" data-uw-rm-ext-link="">Language Pay Differential</a> for qualifying employees.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Union Representation: </strong>This classification was recently recognized as represented by AFSCME-189. Terms and Conditions are currently being negotiated. To view labor agreements, current and future, please visit the <a href="https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements" data-uw-rm-ext-link="">Current City Labor Agreements</a> page.<br><br><strong>Application Material: </strong>Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a resume, cover letter, and a supplemental attachment.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Position Summary:</strong></p><p data-pasted="true">The Portland City Attorney’s Office seeks a motivated and engaged municipal generalist to join our team and advise Council and City bureaus/departments on significant policies, projects, and contracts. The ideal candidate will have experience in land use law or advising local governments. The right candidate will bring strong initiative, a solid work ethic, and a genuine enthusiasm for public service and creative problem-solving.</p><p>The selected candidate will work as part of a team providing legal services to the City, with land use advice and advocacy expected to be a significant component of their work. The candidate must be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team in niche or novel areas of law. This Deputy City Attorney does not need to be an experienced litigator, although some knowledge and experience with litigation or appellate writing will prove beneficial for the position. This position requires close, ongoing collaboration with staff, management, and elected officials.</p><p><br>Our practice involves a wide range of complex, interesting, and evolving issues in municipal and land use law. The work is both challenging and rewarding, requiring thoughtful analysis, exemplary research and writing skills, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate nuanced legal and policy questions.</p>The City of Portland requires candidates to be committed to racial equity as applied to legal analysis, policy, and institutional systems.<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><p style="margin: 15px 0px; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;" data-pasted="true"><strong style=" font-weight: 700;">Virtual Zoom Meet & Greet Opportunity </strong></p><p style="margin: 15px 0px; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;">Come meet the hiring manager and the senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.</p><div style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong style=" font-weight: 700;">Monday, May 4, 2026 </strong></div><p style="margin: 15px 0px; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong style=" font-weight: 700;">12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)</strong></p><p style="margin: 15px 0px; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong>Registration Link: </strong><a data-fr-linked="true" href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RM72bnaTCepy1MDz7FCjg#/registration" data-pasted="true" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RM72bnaTCepy1MDz7FCjg#/registration" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RM72bnaTCepy1MDz7FCjg#/registration - open in a new tab" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1rm72bnatcepy1mdz7fcjg#/registration$https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1rm72bnatcepy1mdz7fcjg#/registration">https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RM72bnaTCepy1MDz7FCjg#/registration</a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Have a question?</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Contact Information:</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bureau of Human Resources</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="mailto:Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov" data-uw-rm-vglnk="">Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov</a></p><div data-empty="true" style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><p data-pasted="true" style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The following minimum qualifications are <u>required</u> for this position:</strong></p><ol><li>A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a licensed attorney, including in the areas of municipal or land use law, or other combination of experience demonstrating a capacity to perform the essential functions of the position</li><li>A Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school; AND </li><li>Oregon State Bar Membership, in good standing, or membership in good standing in the Bar of another jurisdiction, with the ability to obtain Oregon State Bar Membership. </li></ol><br><strong>An ideal candidate will have: </strong><ul><li>Experienced in/knowledge of Oregon land use law, including experience at the Land Use Board of Appeals.</li><li>Experienced in advising local governments. Demonstration of familiarity with local government law.</li><li>Excellent communicator, including both in writing and orally.</li><li>Proficiency in time and case management.</li><li>Eager to learn and take ownership of their work.</li><li>Proactive and reliable contributor.</li><li>Enthusiastic about tackling complex problems with creativity and practical solutions.</li><li>Comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.<br> </li></ul><p data-pasted="true" style="text-align: left;"><strong><u>Applicant Instructions:</u></strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">In your application, include your <strong>Resume, Cover Letter, and a Supplemental Attachment</strong> in accordance with the following instructions:</p><ul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Cover Letter:</strong> Competitive candidates will provide details in their cover letter addressing current practice areas and how their experience aligns with the duties listed