City Attorney - Jackson, Michigan
Jackson, MI (pop. 32,704) – The City of Jackson is conveniently located in south central Michigan. Located about 40 miles west of Ann Arbor, 35 miles south of Lansing, 65 miles east of Kalamazoo and 60 miles west of Detroit Metro Airport, Jackson has easy highway access to the urban centers of the State. The City of Jackson is the county seat of Jackson County and home to the corporate headquarters of Consumers Energy. The City was founded in 1829, dedicating its name to President Andrew Jackson.
The City of Jackson is a City Manager form of Government with an elected Mayor and six (6) Councilmembers elected from wards. The Mayor and Councilmembers serve as a City Council of seven (7) members. By Charter the City Council appoints the positions of the Manager, Clerk, Attorney and Assessor. All other positions are under the direction of the City Manager. The City has approximately 214 full-time and 250 part-time employees. The City Attorney position serves at the pleasure of Council and is responsible for reporting to the City Council as a whole. The City Attorney serves as chief legal advisor to the Mayor, Council City Manager, and all City departments, commissions, boards, authorities, offices and agencies.
The office of the City Attorney includes a Chief Assistant, a part-time Prosecutor and three paralegals. The City Attorney office shall review and approve all contracts and other legal documents; prosecute all violations of City ordinances, represent the City in all legal proceedings; and perform any other duties the Council shall prescribe. The City Attorney shall approve as to form all legal instruments requiring assent of the City and shall attend the meetings of the City Council.
The City Attorney position offers a unique opportunity for an individual who can provide clear, impartial counsel, while being fully engaged in advising City Council on how its policy objectives can be achieved. The City Attorney also has the opportunity to work with the City Manager to develop agreements vital to the City’s day-to-day operation and future goals. The City Attorney must have an appreciation for an active citizenry that expects community involvement from its government leaders. This is a highly visible position in the City of Jackson, requiring well-developed public communication skills and management experience.
Candidates are required to have:
- A Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school and be admitted to and in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan, or able to become a member within four months following the start of employment with the City. The City Attorney must be licensed to practice law in the United States Federal Court, Eastern District.
- Must have at least five (5) years of successful experience as a practicing attorney, including at least two (2) years of experience in a municipal law setting or advising municipalities and at least one year of successful experience as a trial attorney. Candidates must also have a working knowledge of civil and criminal law.
The position will execute an employment agreement with the City Council. The starting salary will be in the range of $120,000 to $150,000, negotiable, depending on experience and qualifications. The City also offers a generous benefit package.
Apply online with resume, cover letter, contact information and three (3) professional references by October 18, 2019, to the attention of Jaymes Vettraino, Vice President, GovHR USA, 630 Dundee Road, Suite 130, Northbrook, IL 60062, Tel: 847-380-3240, Cell: 248-379-8923. www.GovHRjobs.com