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King County

Attorney - Natural Resources and Parks Section

King County, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127


Summary

Civil Division, Natural Resources and Parks Section

The Natural Resources Section has an opening for an attorney interested in practicing environmental law and providing advice and representation to the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP).

The attorneys in the Natural Resources Section work together to support DNRP’s four major divisions:

The Solid Waste Division , which provides garbage transfer and disposal and recycling services in unincorporated King County and 37 cities;

The Wastewater Treatment Division , which collects and treats wastewater from 34 local agencies serving approximately 2 million residents;

The Water and Land Resources Division , which provides flood control services, storm water management, and other natural resource management services throughout the County;

The Parks and Recreation Division , which manages more than 200 parks and 175 miles of regional trails.

Additionally, the section is representing the County in the Lower Duwamish Waterway and East Waterway Superfund cleanups.

The Civil Division provides comprehensive legal services to King County government, including all County elected and appointed officials, department heads, and with the managers of numerous county agencies and departments. Serving in its role as an in-house law firm for the County, the Civil Division works closely with its clients in solving a wide range of legal problems by providing legal advice and representing King County and its employees in lawsuits filed in state or federal courts. The Civil Division is composed of about 65 lawyers organized into seven specialized sections: (1) Contracts, (2) County Services, (3) Transportation & Real Property, (4) Employment, (5) Land Use, (6) Natural Resources, and (7) Litigation.

We value diversity and strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community that we serve. It is essential to our mission that we create and maintain an office that is diverse and inclusive. All PAO employees are expected to participate in PAO equity work and attend equity trainings and discussions. PAO employees are expected to comply with equity and social justice principles, and to work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.

Job Duties

The attorney who fills this vacancy will primarily support the Solid Waste Division. The attorney will advise the Division on a wide variety of environmental laws and regulations relating to the operation of the County’s solid waste transfer stations and landfills, the generation and sale of renewable energy, and compliance with environmental permits and regulations. In addition to advising, the attorney will also represent DNRP in litigation, the enforcement and interpretation of the County’s Solid Waste Code, and other matters, as needed.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

At least two years of environmental and/or general civil law experience.

Potential for continued growth.

Outstanding client relations and negotiation skills.

Demonstrable enthusiasm, initiative, and an ability to successfully lead a team on complex matters.

Outstanding analytical abilities.

Excellent legal research, writing and communication skills.

Ability to translate complex legal concepts into easily understandable language.

Must have a strong commitment to race, equity and social justice, including ongoing development of personal cultural competency.

Active participation in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussions.

Special Requirements:

Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar.

Must submit to a criminal history check.

U.S. Citizenship or a lawful permanent resident (per RCW 36.27 and 29A.04 and Article VI of the WA Constitution).

Supplemental Information

This position will be a hybrid/in-person schedule (minimum 3 days in office/2 days working from home) as business needs allow, subject to a telecommuting agreement. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

This position is open to all current regular deputy prosecuting attorneys on staff and will be a lateral transfer for an internal candidate. The position is also open to external candidates.

Salary:

$112,073 - $165,030.52* commensurate with 2~20 years of experience.

*Effective 1/1/2025, salary steps will include an additional 5.5% general wage increase per the agreement reached between King County and the Coalition of Unions agreement.

Please feel free to contact the head of the Natural Resources Section, Verna Bromley, at (206) 477-1097, if you have any questions about this position.

Application & Interview Process:

Attach cover letter & resume

Attach writing sample

Answer supplemental questions

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