Deputy City Attorney

Deputy City Attorney

Salary

$93,017.60 - $123,011.20 Annually

Location

South Burlington

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202500063

Department

Legal

Opening Date

06/02/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Under general direction of the City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney position is responsible for assisting the City Attorney in providing general legal counsel to the City Manager, City Council, City Departments, and official City boards and commissions in multiple areas of municipal law. This position is also responsible for drafting and enforcing City ordinances, regulations and bylaws; drafting and negotiating contracts; land use planning and zoning; property acquisition, agreements, regulatory compliance, and related processes incident to City stormwater and highway projects; HR/labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining; representing the City in civil and criminal litigation cases; and all other matters assigned or within the purview of the City Attorney's Office.

Examples of Duties

• Act as a deputy city attorney and acting city attorney when the city attorney is unavailable or absent.
• Conduct thorough and accurate legal and policy research and analysis.
• Develop legal opinions and provide general policy advice to city council, city manager, city departments, and boards and committees, as requested.
• Draft and/or review legal documents (including agreements and contracts), ordinances, and other rules and regulations as required.
• Coordinate and review public records responses and production and provide advice concerning open meeting law compliance.
• Negotiate and prepare documents for real estate transactions and provide legal advice relating to development activities involving the city.
• Enforce city ordinances, regulations and city bylaws in administrative forums and courts,
• Provide legal advice to city administrative agencies concerning contested cases, as well as the implementation and development of ordinances, regulations, or policies.
• Represent the city in litigation before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including all aspects of pleadings, discovery, negotiation, settlement, trial, and appeals.
• Assist in representing the city in legislative or lobbying activities.
• Provide staff support to city council committees and other public bodies.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Must be admitted and licensed to practice law in the State of Vermont.
• Admitted to practice before and in good standing with the Vermont Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court or if not yet admitted, eligible for admission.
• A minimum of five years experience with preference in the practice of municipal law.

Supplemental Information

• Excellent and efficient oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively one-on-one and with groups of various sizes and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice, exercise good judgment, and solve problems.
• Excellent, coherent, and well-organized written communication skills, including the ability to explain and advocate using plain language.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with city officials, colleagues, and members of the public.
• Ability to work effectively in an advisory capacity with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to conduct legal and other types of research and to analyze the results of that research accurately, thoroughly, and efficiently.
• Regular attendance at the office and other locations in and outside the city, as needed.
• Ability to understand and comply with city standards, safety rules, and personnel policies.
• Ability to conduct and accurately analyze legal research thoroughly and efficiently.
• Ability to effectively and accurately draft memoranda, litigation documents, agreements, new ordinances, and policy initiatives.
• Demonstrated comfort with electronic communication, research, and organizational tools.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

The City of South Burlington has one of the best benefits packages in the State of Vermont! We take pride in providing an extensive variety of plans to meet our employees needs. Many of our Premiums are either entirely paid by the City, have a City match or are partially paid by the City. Take a look at the variety of plans we have available*:

• Generous Paid Vacation and Sick Leave plans
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement - Vermont Municipal Employee System (VMERS)
• 457 b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• City provided Life Insurance and Accidential Death insurance plans
• Health Saving Account (HSA) - with a City Contribution
• Flexible Spending Account
• Please note, that eligibility and plans may vary depending upon union bargaining agreements/contracts.

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Do you have a Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you admitted to practice before and in good standing with the Vermont Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court? If not yet admitted, are you eligible for admission?

04

How many years of practicing law experience do you have?

• I have between 3-4 years of practicing law experience.
• I have between 5-9 years of practicing law experience.
• I have 10+ years of practicing law experience.

05

Are you admitted and licensed to practice law within the United States? If yes, which state?

Required Question

Employer South Burlington, City of (VT)

Address 180 Market Street

South Burlington, Vermont, 05403

Phone 8028464118

Website https://southburlingtonvt.gov