DescriptionCity AttorneyAnnual Salary Range: $129,000 - $163,000 Contract Employment
Full-Time--Exempt
This position will remain open until filled, with a next look at applications on November 24, 2026.The City Council is accepting applications from licensed attorneys interested in service as a City employee. The ideal candidate will have more than five years' experience providing practical legal advice in a municipal setting to the City Council, City Manager and staff, and city boards and commissions.
The City Council meets regularly on the second and fourth Monday each month. Occasional work sessions, executive sessions, and special meetings may be held, based on need, and at the request of the mayor and city council. The City Attorney will be required to attend City Council meetings unless excused by the Mayor.
The city attorney, as an appointed officer of the city, delivers comprehensive professional legal services to the City of Lincoln City as its general legal counsel and city prosecutor by: (i) advising City Council, City Manager, all Departments, and all Boards and Commissions on most legal matters; (ii) preparing legal instruments, providing legal opinions, and representing the City in administrative, civil, judicial, legislative, and quasi-judicial proceedings, (iii) reviewing draft policies, agreements, solicitations for procurements, and other documents created by all Departments for legal sufficiency, and (iv) prosecuting traffic violations and ordinance violations in municipal court.
This is an on-site position based in Lincoln City, Oregon. Must be licensed by the Oregon State Bar to practice law in Oregon. Valid driver's license required. Please see full job description for more details about the position.
If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to apply!
TO APPLY:- Complete the City's online application and questionnaire at www.lincolncityor.gov. All fields on the City's application must be complete for consideration.
- Résumé and cover letter required-please include a cover letter to the City Council that explains your interest in the position and highlights your qualifications.
All required items must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on November 23, 2026 to be included in the first application review process.Questions about the recruitment should be directed to:
Abigail Edwards, Director of Human Resources
541-996-1201
RequirementsMANDATORY REQUIREMENTSEducation: Juris Doctorate from accredited institution.
Experience*: Minimum 3 years of experience (greater than 5 years preferred) in municipal law, including but not limited to Oregon law. Specific fields include land use, contracts, real property, urban renewal, public works, environmental law, Oregon public records and meetings law, ethics, municipal finance, elections, Indian law, and other related fields. Related Oregon experience must be within the last ten (10) years.
*Any satisfactory combination of on-the-job or sector-specific training certificates, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above duties may be substituted for the specific experience requirements.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Excellent verbal and written communication, diplomacy, time management and organization skills are required.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and electronic communication methods.
- Basic to intermediate social media navigation skills.
- Considerable knowledge of Oregon law relating to municipal affairs.
- Working knowledge of modern policies and practices of municipal law and public administration.
- Skill in preparing briefs and other legal documents.
- Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.
- Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents.
- Ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion.
- Ability to represent the City effectively in court.
- Ability to effectively organize and present facts and evidence.
- Ability to conduct legal research and write reports.
- Ability to effectively supervise subordinate staff.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/LICENSES: Licensed by the Oregon State Bar to practice law in Oregon. Valid driver's license.
DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Substantial experience, greater than five (5) years, providing practical legal advice in a municipal setting to the City Council, City Manager and staff, and city boards and commissions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF POSITION: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, bend, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position is primarily sedentary but mobility is required to travel to various City locations. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 5 pounds on a regular basis and may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 30 pounds. Requires the ability to use hearing and speech to make presentations and carry on conversations over the phone and in-person. Requires near visual acuity necessary to read printed materials and computer screens. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 80% of the work period while operating office equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, telephone and other standard office equipment.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions and background noises.
