Assistant City Attorney

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Law Department, Corporate Division
Pay Range: Starting at $6,619 per month
Work Location: 414 E. 12th St.
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. *Telework schedule on Monday and Friday available after 6-month probationary period completed
Application Deadline: June 12, 2026


Responsibilities

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What you'll do

• Serve as primary legal counsel to the Department of Community Safety, advising the Director and senior leadership on a broad range of legal, operational, personnel, and civil rights matters to support effective and compliant operations.
• Guide the Department in complying with court orders, settlement agreements, and negotiated resolutions, ensuring timely and accurate implementation.
• Review, draft, and approve contracts and legal documents, including memorandums of understanding and mutual aid agreements, to protect the City's legal interests.
• Advise on policies, procedures, directives, and training materials related to public safety and intervention strategies to reduce legal risk and ensure best practices.
• Provide legal guidance during investigations, including those conducted by independent City investigatory bodies, and manage derivative litigation and administrative appeals as assigned.
• Conduct in-service training for Department staff on liability, legal standards, and changes in law, and prepare legal bulletins to keep leadership and staff informed.

What success looks like

• Department leadership receives clear, timely legal guidance that supports confident decision-making.
• Legal risks are identified early, documented, and mitigated effectively.
• Contracts, policies, and agreements are legally sound and aligned with City objectives.
• Court orders, settlements, and compliance obligations are met without delay.
• You are trusted to manage matters independently from start to finish with minimal oversight.

What you get

• High-ownership role with direct access to senior leadership.
• Exposure to complex, meaningful legal issues in public safety, civil rights, labor, and governance.
• Opportunity to build a long-term legal career in public service with real community impact.

Why this role matters
The Department of Community Safety plays a critical role in public safety, justice, and rehabilitation efforts across the city. This position ensures those efforts are legally sound, equitable, and defensible. Your work directly affects how programs are implemented, how risks are managed, and how the City fulfills its responsibilities to residents and the justice system.


Qualifications

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REQUIRES

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• Must be admitted to the Missouri Bar Association within six months of appointment.
• Must pass a background check as prescribed by the City.

Other Information

Military veterans encouraged to apply

Why You'll Love Working with Us - Core Employee Benefits (Benefits offered to all permanent employees unless otherwise specified)

Comprehensive Health Coverage
Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans with multiple options and low employee contributions.

Generous Paid Time Off
Enjoy vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays-with accruals that grow the longer you're with us.

Secure Retirement Planning
City-funded pension plan plus an optional 457 savings plan to help you build long-term financial security.

Support for Life's Big Moments
Paid parental and bereavement leave to help you navigate major life events with peace of mind.

Tuition Assistance
Get reimbursed for eligible education expenses-invest in your future while you work.

Income Protection
Short- and long-term disability coverage options to safeguard your earnings.

Life Insurance Provided
City-paid life insurance with the option to add more coverage for extra peace of mind.

Community Volunteer Leave
Take up to 8 hours annually to give back to causes you care about.

Want the Full Picture?
Click here for a complete benefits summary.

URGENT!!! CRITICAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

Applications and/or resumes are evaluated on the information received by the application deadline. Please ensure that your application or resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying, this includes providing all relevant educational dates and a detailed description of relevant work experience, including months/years of employment. Applications and/or resumes may not be considered if information is incomplete.

In order for a resume to be used in lieu of an application the resume must have been submitted online via the City's Applicant Tracking System.

Positions requiring a high school diploma/GED certificate must be obtained from a school/program accredited by the Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The minimum education requirement for positions that allow for experience equivalency for an accredited degree is a high school diploma. Unless otherwise specified, an accredited degree must be obtained from a college or university listed with the U.S. Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
For positions with a salary grade of EX6 or higher that require an accredited degree, qualifying professional experience must be obtained AFTER the accredited degree is obtained.
Successful completion of a pre-employment criminal history/background check is required for all positions. Some positions require a post offer drug screen and/or physical.

If appointed, non-residents must obtain residency inside Kansas City, Missouri's city limits within nine months.

The City of KCMO is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The City is committed to providing a workplace environment for its employees and citizens free from discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information, please see our EEO Policy

The City of KCMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 816-513-1908 or send an e-mail to accommodations@kcmo.org .

If claiming military veterans' preference points, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or a DD-256 (for reservists). To claim veterans' points you must have served 180 days of regular active duty service and be discharged or released under honorable conditions during peacetimes or 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. (DOD) 38 U.S. Code • 4211).

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• City of Kansas City

• 816-513-1903

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