Description

The Ideal Candidate

For this important role the City of Bellingham seeks an experienced, unifying leader who is deeply committed to the success of the city and is a strategic big-picture thinker. The ideal candidate will have a passion for public service and will lead by example to gain the confidence of the public and staff. Integrity that aligns with the city’s organizational values is essential.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate high ethical standards and recognize appropriate times to reach out to outside counsel. The City Attorney must be accessible, approachable, personable, and possess strong writing skills. Confidence and objectivity are qualities important to success in this position.

The City Attorney

The City Attorney will provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight to the City Attorney’s Office and its employees. They will develop and implement programs and policies and support the City’s goals to enhance organizational effectiveness, foster a positive work environment and contribute to the City’s long-term successes and financial stability. The City Attorney serves as a member of the City’s executive management team and will work collaboratively with the Executive Department, City Council and other City departments on strategy and policy to ensure that the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services. They will coordinate and provide comprehensive professional municipal legal services for the City with a focus on option-based advice. The City Attorney will effectively engage and collaborate with community members; local, state, federal agencies; and tribal nations to ensure City government is effectively serving its community and partners.

Total Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $177,624 – $222,000. Employees receive step increases biennially in accordance with the E-Team Handbook and City policy.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and in the E-Team Handbook.

• 20 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 40 hours of sick leave upon hire + 8 hours accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation savings plan and 401(a) Retirement Savings Plan up to 3% with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual’s race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

To Apply

If you are interested in this position, submit a cover letter and a resume by visiting www.karrasconsulting.net and clicking on “view open positions.”

If you have questions regarding this announcement, please call Marissa Karras at 360-956-1336. This position will remain open until filled but the screening process will move quickly. In order to be considered for the first round of interviews please submit your application materials at www.karrasconsulting.net no later than April 30, 2026.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a graduate from an accredited four-year college and a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. The candidate must be licensed to practice law in the State of Washington, be in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association and have at least three years of experience in legal practice in the state of Washington. The candidate will possess at least five years of combined legal experience as a city attorney, assistant city attorney, deputy prosecuting attorney, and or other relevant law practice with at least two years of that experience in municipal law. The candidate must also have two or more years of demonstrated experience in a management position. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the candidate with the knowledge, skill and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Desirable Qualifications

• Significant Litigation and Trial experience.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in programs and processes.
• More than two years of demonstrated experience in a management position.

The preferred candidate will have experience and demonstrated success in the following areas:

• Visionary and strategic leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other departments, elected officials, the media, and the public.
• Highly effective team building and leadership skills including consensus-building to resolve conflicts, negotiate agreements and gain cooperation among competing interest groups.
• Skilled in litigation and in trial work and in negotiating settlements and agreements in the best interests of the City.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials and staff, law enforcement, legal and court officials and partners, both internal and external.
• Effectively apply legal knowledge and skills in the context of the operation of municipal government and the development of public policy and laws.
• Identify the Department’s future direction in response to changing City needs, and to develop, implement, and monitor appropriate plans, schedules, and action steps.
•  Interpreting and appropriately applying complex codes, regulations, legal documents, policies and procedures and explaining these to clients.
• Customer service and the ability to mentor, coach and direct the work of staff.
• Cultural competency that enables effective working relationships in cross-cultural situations.
• Successful planning and implementation of change management strategies, within the department and Citywide, including support for breaking down organizational silos.
• Creative problem solver, bringing fresh ideas and a progressive approach.
• Fostering a positive environment where collaboration thrives, encouraging team members to share their expertise and contribute to shared goals.
• Providing option-based advice to the Council, the
• Mayor and all City department leadership in support of the overall Citywide strategic plans and initiatives.
• Building a culture of accountability and professional growth within the Legal Department and the broader City organization.