Description:
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
ATTORNEY - EXCLUDED
DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT (DWM)
Number of Positions: 1 Full Time
(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $115,992; Grade: GY-12
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm CDT on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Under direction, provides legal counsel to a department on matters that affect the department's operations, and performs related duties as required. Positions assigned to this classification are excluded from bargaining union representation based on managerial authority requirements within the labor relations act.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Advises management on legal issues related to departmental operations as they are affected by local, state, or federal laws, statutes, or contracts
Researches legal requirements as they pertain to the department's operations to advise management on same
Works with the Department of Law, as needed, in investigating circumstances and facts and
interviewing witnesses regarding complaints, arbitrations, and lawsuits involving the department and staff
Engages in contract and labor management affairs (e.g., participating in collective bargaining agreement negotiations, administering the disciplinary process, and making labor decisions)
Maintains records and prepares reports on legal procedures for department management
Reviews and interprets various documents (e.g., legal documents, requests for information, contractual requirements, legislation, performance bonds) for department management
Drafts legal documents (e.g., letters, memoranda, contracts, contract close-out letters, personnel charges) in response to subpoenas, Freedom of Information Act requests, and other requirements for information and ensures documents conform to the law
Drafts legal agreements pertaining to water and sewer infrastructure, facilities, and operations.
Meets with community members and attorneys representing the City, other public jurisdictions, or private parties regarding issues affecting the department and advises them or states the department's position on legal matters
Supervises a staff engaged in legal research and oversees related work of staff in other departments (e.g., accountants, engineering technicians, administrative assistants) and/or outside vendors, as required
Conducts training for staff in relevant legal issues, including creating and updating training curriculum and materials and ensuring that training curriculum withstands failure to train lawsuits, as required
Testifies as an expert for the Department of Law
Evaluates department's compliance with local, state, and federal laws (e.g., HIPAA and other privacy and confidentiality laws), ensuring a sound legal basis for programmatic activities
Responds to requests from Inspector General's office and to legal questions from staff in other
departments
Assists in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and programs, as required
Additional duties may be required for this position
Location : 1000 East Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Hours: Mondary - Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
THIS POSITION IS NOT CAREER SERVICE.
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, plus five (5) years of work experience in the legal profession as a licensed attorney.
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Admission to the Illinois Bar (or eligible for admission on motion to the Illinois Bar pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705)
Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.
NOTE: You must provide your transcripts/diploma, licenses or certifications at the time of processing.
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
This position requires an applicant to successfully complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.
Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:
Previous work experience writing and/or drafting contracts
Previous work experience in the public sector
Previous work experience responding to legal requests
Previous work experience as an attorney with litigation experience
Previous work experience as an attorney handling transactional matters
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here. (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/provdrs/emp.html)
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp\info/JobClassification/2025\Classification\and\Pay_Plan.pdf
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer **.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor**