Urbana, IL (pop.38,468) The City of Urbana is seeking experienced and qualified applicants to join its motivated, collaborative, and dedicated team of professionals as the City Attorney.
The Community
Urbana is located in east-central Illinois. It is approximately a two-hour drive to Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Urbana is home to the main campus of the University of Illinois and many of the University’s 56,400 students and 10,300 faculty and staff.
Founded in 1833, Urbana is the county seat of Champaign County. Urbana celebrates its richly diverse population and offers its residents and visitors a comprehensive and exciting array of cultural, artistic entertainment and recreational opportunities. It is a highly walk-able community with one of the best public transit systems in the nation. It’s also the only gold-level bicycle friendly community in Illinois.
Urbana’s professional and highly respected Police Department provides effective, community-based policing that helps ensure the safety of Urbana’s residents and visitors. In addition, Urbana residents can feel safer knowing that the outstanding Urbana Fire Department has been certified with an ISO-Insurance Service Office Class 1 rating.
Urbana is also proud of its urban forest, and the community has been designated as a Tree City USA since 1976. The award-winning Urbana Park District oversees over 600 acres of public parks and natural areas. Urbana is made up of many unique and beautiful neighborhoods with a range of housing styles and price points. Each neighborhood has its own neighborhood school and park facilities.
The Urbana Free Library, founded in 1874, is ranked among the top one percent of American public libraries both statewide and nationally. Historic Downtown Urbana, home to Urbana’s Market at the Square and an eclectic variety of restaurants, shops, and festivals, is the cultural and economic centerpiece of Urbana.
Local Government in Urbana
The City of Urbana is governed by the Mayor and City Council with the assistance of a cadre of professional and talented staff. The Mayor is a full-time position elected at-large to a four-year term. The City Council consists of seven (7) members, each elected by wards to four-year terms. The Mayor and City Council meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month as a Committee of the Whole. They also convene regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays.
With the advice and consent of the City Council, the Mayor appoints a City Administrator to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the City as well as to make recommendations on policy matters to the Mayor and City Council.
The City Attorney Position
The City Attorney is also appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent. This person in this position serves as the chief legal officer of the municipality and provides legal services and guidance to the Mayor, City Council, and to all operating departments of the City.
The principal duties of the City Attorney include the following:
- Serve as chief legal advisor to the Mayor and City Council and direct all legal affairs of the City which are assigned to the Legal Division.
- Draft, review, and approve legal documents including contracts, intergovernmental agreements, ordinances, and resolutions.
- Represent the City in a variety of legal proceedings at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Support the annexation, zoning administration, and property acquisition activities of the City.
- Prepare statements of the City’s direct and contingent liabilities and provide legal opinion assessing the City’s exposure to liability.
- Advise the City regarding human rights and housing law and collaborate with staff to provide legal counsel in matters of employment law.
- Oversight of external/contracted legal service providers.
- Prosecution of ordinance violations.
- Supervise professional and administrative support staff in the Legal Department.
- Prepare and administer the annual legal services operating budget.
The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following qualities and attributes:
- Able and willing to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Desire to work collaboratively with other professional staff on a variety of legal, policy, and operational matters in a team-oriented organization.
- Excellent customer service skills and oral and written communication skills, including a willingness to interact and engage with a diverse professional staff, elected officials, and City stakeholders.
- Advanced knowledge of federal Constitutional obligations and common law relating to municipalities, relevant state and federal laws and regulations, and City Ordinances; the ability to interpret and apply same to municipal settings and the ability to explain these requirements to others.
- The ability to work effectively with all constituents in a culturally diverse and dynamic community.
- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills.
At a minimum, applicants must be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and possess at least five (5) years of legal experience, preferably in municipal law; applicants with relevant backgrounds in other legal areas may be considered.
Compensation and How to Apply
The annual salary range for this position is between $105,496 to $174,024. The typical starting salary will be between $122,000 and $139,000, based upon qualifications and experience. The City also provides a very generous package of fringe benefits. Residency within the community is encouraged but not required.
To apply for the position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for five (5) work-related references to the attention of Mark R. Peterson, Senior Consultant, GovHR USA, no later than May 3, 2024. All applications must be submitted electronically at www.GovHRjobs.com. Please direct all questions to Mr. Peterson at (309) 825-5091.
The City of Urbana is an Equal Opportunity Employer
