CITY ATTORNEY
Apply NowCompany: City of Surprise, AZ
Location: Surprise, AZ 85374
Description:
Salary: $175,000.00 - $290,000.00 Annually
Location : Surprise, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 25-00202
Department: LEGAL
Opening Date: 02/27/2025
Closing Date: 3/28/2025 11:59 PM Arizona
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Surprise is seeking a City Attorney to direct and manage the City Attorney's Office and the City Prosecutor's Office, including its staff, budget, and resources. The City Attorney will serve as chief legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and department directors providing legal opinions and strategy, minimize risk and liability, manage legal issues, and represent the City in administrative proceedings and legal actions.
Our Ideal Candidate for City Attorney will be a well-rounded, experienced leader with a passion for public service to serve as a vital resource to the public, City leadership and members of City Council. We are seeking a candidate who:
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Juris Doctor and seven years related legal experience, including five years of management experience
Must be an active member of the State Bar of Arizona and possess a current and active license to practice law in the State of Arizona.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this challenging and rewarding career opportunity, please apply by submitting your online application and attaching your cover letter, resume, and list of three work-related references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment). Your resume should reflect to/from dates (months and years) of each position held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed. Materials will only be accepted electronically by applying online at surpriseaz.gov/careers. Paper applications and resumes will not be accepted in person, or by fax, e-mail, or postal service.
The final filing date for the position is Friday, March 28, 2025, 11:59PM. Materials will not be accepted after the final filing date.
Selected finalists deemed to have the most relevant experience will be invited to participate in city interviews. A selection is expected in May, followed by completion of reference/background checks.
Click to view the brochure
The City of Surprise is an EEO/ADA reasonable accommodation employer
The City of Surprise offers a broad range of inclusive employee benefits to help employees in their work and personal lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides our employees with competitive compensation, generous benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance for our diverse workforce. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, retirement, and a variety of work/life programs, including generous paid time off and twelve holidays. For additional benefit information, please
01
I understand all criminal convictions (felonies and/or misdemeanors including DUIs) that occurred as an adult (age 18 or older) must be disclosed when answering Question 7 and disclosed in full detail in Question 8 in the Agency-Wide Questions section of this application. I also understand my failure to disclose a conviction as outlined in Question 8 may be grounds for elimination of further consideration and/or a job offer to be rescinded.
02
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
03
Are you currently employed by the City of Surprise?
04
Select the option that applies to your highest level of education completed. Please detail your education in your application.
05
How many years of experience do you have practicing law?
06
How many years of management experience do you have? Please detail your experience on your application.
07
Are you currently an active member of the Arizona State Bar Association? Please detail your membership information on your application.
08
Which of the following represents the sector(s) in which you earned your professional experience? Check all that apply.
09
Tell us about your professional experience in the areas of municipal law. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
10
Describe your experience with land use disputes and zoning regulations. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
11
Tell us about your work experience regarding election law. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
12
Describe your litigation experience. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
13
Describe your experience in public labor law. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
14
Describe your professional experience managing a legal department, including number of employees, and budget size. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
Required Question
Location : Surprise, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 25-00202
Department: LEGAL
Opening Date: 02/27/2025
Closing Date: 3/28/2025 11:59 PM Arizona
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Surprise is seeking a City Attorney to direct and manage the City Attorney's Office and the City Prosecutor's Office, including its staff, budget, and resources. The City Attorney will serve as chief legal advisor to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and department directors providing legal opinions and strategy, minimize risk and liability, manage legal issues, and represent the City in administrative proceedings and legal actions.
Our Ideal Candidate for City Attorney will be a well-rounded, experienced leader with a passion for public service to serve as a vital resource to the public, City leadership and members of City Council. We are seeking a candidate who:
- Exemplifies professionalism, integrity and transparency
- Is credible and competent in areas of professional expertise
- Has a solution-oriented focus and collaborative approach to encourage constructive discussion and allows for the evaluation of options
- Is effective in managing executive session items in a manner that allows for detailed and thorough deliberation by City Council, including ability to quickly contribute, as needed, during public meetings on legal protocol and procedural issues
- Will cultivate trust and is committed to building positive working relationships throughout all levels of the organization
- Is personable, responsive, a skilled communicator and proactive listener, who works well with their team, City management and elected officials
- Will have knowledge of each functional area of the City Attorney's Office
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Juris Doctor and seven years related legal experience, including five years of management experience
Must be an active member of the State Bar of Arizona and possess a current and active license to practice law in the State of Arizona.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this challenging and rewarding career opportunity, please apply by submitting your online application and attaching your cover letter, resume, and list of three work-related references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment). Your resume should reflect to/from dates (months and years) of each position held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed. Materials will only be accepted electronically by applying online at surpriseaz.gov/careers. Paper applications and resumes will not be accepted in person, or by fax, e-mail, or postal service.
The final filing date for the position is Friday, March 28, 2025, 11:59PM. Materials will not be accepted after the final filing date.
Selected finalists deemed to have the most relevant experience will be invited to participate in city interviews. A selection is expected in May, followed by completion of reference/background checks.
Click to view the brochure
The City of Surprise is an EEO/ADA reasonable accommodation employer
The City of Surprise offers a broad range of inclusive employee benefits to help employees in their work and personal lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides our employees with competitive compensation, generous benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance for our diverse workforce. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, retirement, and a variety of work/life programs, including generous paid time off and twelve holidays. For additional benefit information, please
01
I understand all criminal convictions (felonies and/or misdemeanors including DUIs) that occurred as an adult (age 18 or older) must be disclosed when answering Question 7 and disclosed in full detail in Question 8 in the Agency-Wide Questions section of this application. I also understand my failure to disclose a conviction as outlined in Question 8 may be grounds for elimination of further consideration and/or a job offer to be rescinded.
- I acknowledge the above statement.
02
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you currently employed by the City of Surprise?
- Yes
- No
04
Select the option that applies to your highest level of education completed. Please detail your education in your application.
- Juris Doctor
- Master's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Associate's Degree
- High School diploma or G.E.D. awarded
- None of the above
05
How many years of experience do you have practicing law?
- 7 years or more
- Less than seven (7) years
06
How many years of management experience do you have? Please detail your experience on your application.
- 5 years or more
- At least two (2) years but less than five (5) years
- Less than two (2) years
- No management experience
07
Are you currently an active member of the Arizona State Bar Association? Please detail your membership information on your application.
- Yes
- No
08
Which of the following represents the sector(s) in which you earned your professional experience? Check all that apply.
- Municipal Government
- County Government
- State Government
- Federal Government
- United States Armed Forces
- Private Sector
- Other
09
Tell us about your professional experience in the areas of municipal law. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
10
Describe your experience with land use disputes and zoning regulations. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
11
Tell us about your work experience regarding election law. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
12
Describe your litigation experience. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
13
Describe your experience in public labor law. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
14
Describe your professional experience managing a legal department, including number of employees, and budget size. If you do not have this experience, write "N/A".
Required Question