GASTONIA, NC (pop. 84,000 est.) The City of Gastonia is looking for qualified candidates to serve as their next City Attorney. Gastonia was incorporated in 1877 and has been the vibrant county seat of Gaston County since 1911. Gastonia operates under the Council-Manager form of government, ensuring both effective leadership and professional management. In this structure, the Mayor, elected to a four-year term, works alongside Council Members who serve staggered four-year terms to provide continuous, stable governance. The City of Gastonia, a three-time All-America City and winner of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' top Livability Award is one of the best places to live and work. Its prime location is just minutes West of Charlotte and midway between Atlanta and the Research Triangle, attracts businesses and industries seeking an ideal site for growth. Gastonia is the largest city in Gaston County and the 13th largest in North Carolina. The city is part of the rapidly expanding Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), one of the state's fastest-growing regions.

The City of Gastonia is a full-service City that provides regional water and wastewater service, electric, solid waste, streets, planning, engineering, transportation planning (host of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), police, fire, and many other departments.

Significant changes and developments are on the horizon for Gastonia, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its residents and attracting new businesses and visitors. With an adopted budget of $346 m for FY2025, key initiatives for the upcoming year focus on employee professional development and health, improvements to transportation, new infrastructure to support sustainable growth, and various economic development projects designed to boost local industries and create job opportunities. As Gastonia continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to balancing progress with environmental stewardship, community needs, and economic vitality, ensuring a bright and prosperous future for all who call it home.

The City Attorney, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, plays a crucial role in ensuring the legal integrity and effective governance of the City of Gastonia. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned legal professional to make a significant impact in a dynamic and growing community, following in the steps of their current City Attorney, retiring after a remarkable 30 years of service.

The City Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor for the City of Gastonia, providing comprehensive legal support to the City Council, City Manager, and various city departments. This pivotal role ensures the city's compliance with local, state, and federal laws, and represents the city in legal proceedings. The City Attorney is instrumental in shaping city policies, drafting and reviewing legal documents, and offering strategic legal counsel to promote the city's interests and protect its assets. The position directly supervises an Assistant City Attorney, a paralegal, and collaborates regularly with a staff police attorney.

Key responsibilities of the position will include representing the city in all legal proceedings, including civil lawsuits, administrative hearings, and other disputes; developing legal strategies, preparing and filing legal documents, and coordinate with outside counsel when necessary; compliance and risk management; identifying and mitigating legal risks associated with city operations and projects, and develop strategies to minimize potential liabilities; policy development and implementation; legal research and analysis; and contract negotiation and management.

Candidates shall possess the following qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree recognized by the North Carolina Bar
• Extensive legal experience, preferably in municipal or public sector law
• North Carolina local government experience preferred
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to manage teams and complex projects

Gastonia offers a competitive benefits package. The starting salary range is $195,000 - $235,000 +/- DOQ and experience. Gastonia provides an excellent and comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick time, holiday time, personal time, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, participation in the local Government Employees Retirement Systems, 5% city contribution into a 401k plan, and a 5% city contribution into a 457 plan.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a resume, cover letter and contact information for five professional references by Friday, January 31, 2025. Confidential inquiries may be directed to W. Lane Bailey, MGT Senior Consultant at Tel: 704?798?8221 or Riccardo (Rick) Ginex, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiter, at Tel: 847-380-3240, ext. 160. Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.