Assistant City Attorney - Housing

Description:

Description:
This recruitment is open until filled. Early submissions are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a regular and ongoing basis.*

Note: The listed salary is pending Council approval. The current salary range for this position is $170,580.18 - $235,628.43 Annually.

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Office is seeking a well-qualified, highly motivated Assistant City Attorney to provide sound and ethical legal advice. The City seeks an Assistant City Attorney with a litigation and transactional background, and requires experience representing state or local government. This position will focus on California housing laws; local Housing Authority issues; City tenant protection laws; administrative hearings and writ proceedings related to housing; working in partnership with the City Attorney; and may include work on general municipal matters. The ideal candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for legal advice and opinions to assigned City departments, and should be a hands-on leader with experience serving public sector organizations.

What You'll Do:

• Represent the City in administrative hearings, superior court proceedings (writs and trials), and brief the City Council on housing litigation matters.
• Provide legal advice and opinions to the Oxnard Housing Authority, Oxnard Housing Department, and Oxnard City Council; and assist the City Manager regarding state and local housing-related matters.
• Serve as lead Assistant City Attorney implementing the City's Tenant Protection Laws including Rent Stabilization, Just Cause Eviction, and Anti-Harassment Ordinances.
• Assist and advise department directors and staff; interface with members of the public/community, local organizations, and advocacy groups that represent property owners, landlords or tenants.

Under general direction, the Assistant City Attorney provides a wide range of professional legal services to all City departments and divisions, City Council and various boards, commissions, committees; may assist in coordinating the work of contract attorneys on complex or specialized matters; and performs related duties as assigned. This position requires a strong understanding of municipal law, landlord-tenant relations, and civil litigation/administrative proceedings, with an emphasis on compliance and dispute resolution.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Assistant City Attorney Is the Advanced Journey Level in The Professional Legal Series. This Class Is Distinguished from The Next Lower Class of Deputy City Attorney Iv by The Level of Difficulty and Complexity of Responsibilities Performed. an Incumbent in This Class Is Expected to Use a High Degree of Independent Judgment and Is Expected to Represent the City Attorney at Various Meetings, Functions and Proceedings as Required.

Supervision Received/ Exercised:
General Direction Is Provided by The City Attorney. the Assistant City Attorney May Exercise Technical or Functional Supervision Over Deputy City Attorneys, Paralegals and Clerical Staff.

Work Schedule:
The Normal Work Week Is Monday-Thursday, 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M., and Alternating Fridays, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. This Position May Be Required to Be Available to Work Additional Hours as Needed to Respond to Workload Needs. This Position Is Not Eligible for Overtime Pay. the City Does Not Offer Hybrid or Remote Work.

Essential Functions:
The Essential Functions for This Position Include but Are Not Limited to The Following:

• Works Closely with The Housing Department Providing Advice and Opinions to The Oxnard Housing Department Regarding the City's Tenant Protection Laws, Including Rent Stabilization, Just Cause Eviction, and Anti-Harassment Ordinances.
• Confers with And Renders Assistance to Department Directors and Division Managers in Establishing Policies by Developing and Applying Legal Analysis and Procedures; Recommends Changes in Policies and Procedures to Meet Legal Requirements.
• Prepares Matters for Administrative Hearings and Represents the City in Such Hearings; Handles Litigation Related to The City's Tenant Protection Laws, Such as Writs of Mandate.
• Drafts Ordinances, Resolutions, Contracts, Deeds, Leases and Other Legal Documents and Instruments; Reviews Such Documents and Offers Opinions as To Legality.
• Performs Legal Research and Prepares Opinions on Various Legal Issues for City Departments and Divisions, the City Council and Various Boards, Commissions and Committees.
• Attends Meetings of Boards, Commissions and Committees as May Be Required; Renders Legal Advice as Requested.
• Represents the City Attorney at Various Meetings, Functions and Proceedings when Necessary.
• Responds to Citizen Complaints and Requests for Information.
• Represents the City in The Community and At Professional Meetings as Required.
• Conducts and Oversees Investigations Into Complaints of Ordinance Violations, Including Gathering Evidence, Conducting Interviews, and Coordinating with External Agencies Such as Fair Housing Organizations.

Minimum Qualifications:
The Following Are the Minimum Qualifications Necessary for Entry Into the Classification:

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