The City of Albemarle has posted a job opening for a new city attorney.

The city currently employs David Beaver as a contracted attorney, Mayor Ronnie Michael said.

“We’ve never had a full-time city attorney,” Michael said.

The city is busy with many things, including tearing down homes under the abatement program, he said.

“We need a full-time attorney.”

The application period will be open for six weeks. Michael expects it will be at least three months before a qualified candidate emerges.

This is a new process for the city.

“We have to see what kind of applications we’ll get,” Michael said.

While Michael hopes the city will find a candidate with experience (they must have graduated from law school and have two years of practiced law is preferred), the city could train a candidate.

Once Albemarle has a full-time attorney, Beaver would leave his position as contract attorney, Michael said.