Environmental Services Deputy City Attorney

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking a highly skilled and experienced attorney to join the City Attorney's Office as an Environmental Services Deputy City Attorney. This pivotal role supports the Environmental Services Department. The successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge of environmental laws and regulations and exceptional aptitude in independently managing, leading and representing the City in environmental litigation, administrative appeals, and hearing and regulatory enforcement. The successful candidate will navigate and manage complex environmental litigation, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect vital City assets.

About the Role:
You will serve as a primary environmental compliance legal advisor to the Environmental Services Department, offering expert guidance on a wide range of environmental matters. Your responsibilities will include:

• Litigation & Enforcement: Representing the City's wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste utilities in ongoing litigation, enforcement actions, and disputes with environmental regulators and third parties. This includes managing outside counsel as needed.
  
• Environmental Compliance: Providing critical advice and guidance to the department regarding compliance with federal and state environmental laws.
  
• Permitting & Appeals: Supporting the department in environmental permit applications, appeals, and related intervenor actions.
  
• Regulatory Enforcement: Advising on and supporting the enforcement of the City's environmental regulations and permit requirements, including wastewater pretreatment requirements and stormwater regulations.
  
• Asset Protection: Offering legal counsel and representation to safeguard City assets, including open space properties crucial for stormwater management.
  
• Legal Research & Drafting: Conducting thorough factual and legal analysis, preparing legal memoranda, policies, contracts, executive orders, resolutions, and ordinances related to environmental law compliance and enforcement.
  

The salary range for this position is $136,988.80 - $192,857.60 annually.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Juris Doctorate

Minimum Experience*

4 years of professional-level legal counsel experience (civil, criminal or administrative matters). Depending on assignment, some positions may require experience directly related to area of assignment.

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Admission to the Washington State Bar Association and license to practice law in Washington

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

To Apply
Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 8/11/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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