PORT ANGELES — With Bill Bloor set to retire next March, the city of Port Angeles is on the hunt for a new attorney.
Bloor has served the city for 21 years, said Abbi Fountain, the city’s human resources director, via email.
“We are very grateful for Bill’s 21 years of service as city attorney,” Fountain said.
For Bloor, variety has made working for the city the “absolutely perfect job,” he said.
“There is so much variety. I start every week without really knowing everything that’s going to pop up and what questions will arise. It’s very stimulating,” Bloor said. “There’s always something new happening, always a new question we haven’t dealt with yet. And that’s wonderful. I know how other attorneys repeatedly do the same thing over and over, they have one specialty, and so they don’t have that much variety. That’s why, for me at least, this has been the perfect job. It’s stimulating. It’s fun and I really enjoy it.”
Bloor moved to Port Angeles and took the job in 2004, he said. The city of Port Angeles has been his only client since then.
When it comes to picking a favorite time or most memorable moment, however, Bloor couldn’t decide.
“What I enjoyed most about it is it gives me the opportunity to answer a number of questions to help the city council and the city manager understand intricate legal issues,” he said. “If the council and the city manager have a goal to achieve, I can help them achieve that goal. Those are the things I do every week.”
The salary range is $150,445 to $179,792.
In retirement, Bloor plans to pursue his hobbies.
“I like photography, fishing, woodworking, cooking. I don’t think I will be without activities,” he said.
“I will continue to do those things I have wanted to do throughout most of my adult life but didn’t have time to pursue.”
The new city attorney will work alongside Bloor for a period of time before Bloor retires in order to support a smooth transition, said Jess Straits, the city’s communications and records management coordinator.
“This will help them become familiar with current projects and initiatives and support continuity across the city,” Straits said.
“The City Attorney advises the City Council, city manager, department heads, boards and commissions, and other city employees on legal matters pertaining to municipal government, civil litigation and risk management, and provides oversight on prosecution matters,” Fountain wrote. “Having an internal legal department provides immediate access to legal advice and knowledge, provides an efficient way to handle legal matters within city government, and is less costly than contracting legal services with a third party full-time. The guidance provided by the city attorney is essential to day-to-day operations and strategic planning.”
Additional details on the position, compensation and benefits can be found in the job post at https://prothman.com/open-recruitments/?jobId=3297.
Bloor had advice for the new city attorney:
“The things that have helped me to have whatever success I have had are to listen to people, don’t assume and be thorough in formulating legal positions and always be able to explain your legal positions in language that can be grasped by people who don’t have legal training,” he said.
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Reporter Emily Hanson can be reached by email at emily.hanson@peninsuladailynews.com.
