Job Abstract

• Effective 7/1/2025, 3% Cost of Living Adjustment

• Sign on Bonus - $2,000
• 40 hours of sick leave for immediate use

• Employee employed as of 7/1/2025 will receive $2,000 lump sum

Positions in this class may be assigned to Litigation or Advisory. Both perform work related to any of a number of civil areas, some criminal prosecution, and legal services for one or more City departments and their associated elected or appointed boards, committees, and commissions. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with legal matters in any area of municipal law. Deputy City Attorney is distinguished from Assistant City Attorney in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of City legal matters and may act as the City Attorney on a relief basis.

Litigator

• Represents the City in court cases encompassing a wide variety of civil and criminal subject matters.
• Handles court appearances, including dispositive motion hearings, settlement conferences, and mediations in complex cases.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City; gives advice on action to be taken and prepares cases for hearings and represents the City in such hearings.
• Represents the City in administrative hearings before City Boards, Committees, and Commissions as well as Federal and State Agencies.
• Initiates Code Enforcement proceedings as necessary and prepares all required documents; prepares cases for condemnation proceedings.
• Performs all discovery tasks, including fact and expert discovery; strategically develops and implements comprehensive discovery plans in complex cases.
• Directs and effectively manages heavy caseload of complex civil litigation files from inception to disposition.
• Identifies necessary deposition witnesses; takes and defends percipient witness, party, and expert depositions.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Advisor

• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on existing litigation and/or City operations and recommends appropriate action.
• Performs complex legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, and the City’s boards, committees, commissions, departments, and city staff.
• May act as a liaison with outside counsel.
• Prepares and offers advice/opinions on ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and other legal documents; confers with and assists City departments by analyzing and applying legal points and procedures and makes necessary recommendations regarding existing policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
• Applies legal knowledge to varied problems.
• Reviews and approves contracts.
• Presents or supports client on items at Council and Committees or other public hearings.
• Researches and prepares oral and written memoranda, opinions and reports; recognizes when issues require alternative analysis and approaches.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Education/Experience:

Possession of a Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited law school and active membership, in good standing, in the California State Bar.

• Valid California driver's license.

• Municipal, State, Federal, and constitutional laws affecting city government;
• Principles, methods, and techniques of legal research and investigation;
• Court and Administrative Agency procedures, including pleading requirements, rules of court, presentation techniques, and evidentiary rules;
• Municipal government organization, structure, and functional responsibilities;
• Ethical and other Rules of Professional Conduct that regulate the practice of law;
• Principles and practices of contract administration; and
• Technology and software relevant to assigned operations.

• Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations;
• Presenting statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically;
• Utilizing effective techniques in the presentation of court cases;
• Exercising sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters;
• Utilizing in a proficient manner, available computer equipment and software, and other law office technology to format prepare, and process documents in a reasonably efficient manner;
• Interpreting state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations; and
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Mobility – Constant sitting for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; frequent walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling;
• Lifting – Constant lifting and frequent carrying of 10 pounds or less;
• Vision – Constant use of overall visual capabilities; frequent need for use of color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work;
• Dexterity – Constant holding, grasping, typing, repetitive motion and writing;
• Hearing/Talking - Frequent hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone; Frequent speaking in front of large groups of people;
• Special Requirements – May require weekend or evening work and frequent driving an automobile;
• Emotional/Psychological – Constant concentration, decision making and public contact; occasional ability to exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful situations; and working alone;
• Environmental Conditions – Occasional exposure to noise and indoor cold and heat conditions; and
• Working Conditions – Primarily performed in an office environment which is typically quiet but may be loud at times and at some locations.

• After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing.
• Notification and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received.
• NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.