City Attorney-Attorney

CITY ATTORNEY-CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE

The City Attorneys office is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time City Attorney for the City of Watertown. The position of City Attorney exists to coordinate and perform all professional legal functions relative to advising and representing the City of Watertown its Common Council all of the Councils constituent committees commissions boards and other governing bodies as well as all City departments appointed and elected officials of the City in all civil legal activities of impact to the organization. The City Attorney derives authority and statutory direction from Wis. Stat. Ch. 62 and 66 upon appointment and oath.

The City Attorney is a city department head responsible for his or her own budget and under the superintending direction of the Mayor and Common Council. The most important impact that the City Attorney has on the organization is the influencing of various organizational participants - elected appointed and otherwise in such a way or to such an extent as to ensure that the organization exercises its authority obligations to citizenry visitors and businesses performs its duties and manages its liabilities lawfully and effectively. The City Attorney cannot advise members of the public or City staff concerning their private legal matters or any legal issue that does not pertain to or which cannot be affected by Common Council action. For full list of duties see the attached job description.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Graduation from an accredited law school and possess a law license to practice in the State of Wisconsin must possess a valid Wisconsin Drivers License have at least five (5) years of experience as a municipal attorney. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Must be licensed or become qualified to practice in both the Eastern and Western District Courts for the State of Wisconsin. Must be able to successfully complete a background check and/or interview process.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas verbally and in writing to a diverse audience whether the diversity be based on sex ethnicity regional background or socioeconomic background.
• Ability to use standard office software court software database software and operate a computer.
• Considerable knowledge of regulations ordinances and municipal law other related fields and the ability to search for the above referenced materials if the answer is unknown.
• Ability to perform accurate legal research.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to effectively manage the heavy workload of the City Attorneys Office.
• Ability to prepare legal documents in a variety of areas related to municipal law.
• Ability to understand to follow and effectively carry out complex instructions and to work independently.
• Interpersonal skills including building and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of persons interacting with others in a diplomatic and professional manner and practicing active listening.
• Problem solving skills and ability to think creatively within the confines of the law.
• Ability to multi-task establish priorities meet multiple deadlines and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to work under pressure calmly and effectively.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect information in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

This is a full-time salary position with hours dependent on departmental need to include committee meetings.

Applications cover letters and resumes will be accepted internally and externally until July 11 2025 ending at 4:00 p.m.

Starting compensation is $48.35 to $55.26 DOQ.

Applications available online at

Email complete packets or questions to

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Employment based on Pre-Employment Drug & Alcohol Testing