Description:

Description:
This recruitment is open until filled.

First priority will be given to applications received before October 9, 2025

The Position:
The City Attorney's Office seeks a well-qualified, motivated Assistant City Attorney. This is an at-will position that serves as part of the City's executive management team and is benefits-eligible, including CalPERS membership and healthcare benefits.

The City Attorney's office provides legal advice, counsel, and representation to the City Council, City Boards and Commissions, and City Departments on the legal propriety of proposed municipal actions. In addition, the City Attorney's Office prepares or reviews contracts, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, permits, licenses, memoranda, and other documents; conducts research; interprets and updates the City's Municipal Code, represents the City in civil litigation and acts as liaison to outside counsel, and performs other legal services as needed.

The Assistant City Attorney will have opportunities to work on a wide variety of matters that involve a wide variety of law. The Assistant City Attorney receives general direction and supervision from the City Attorney and may provide oversight and supervision to support staff. The Assistant City Attorney may be called upon to oversee the work of the City Attorney's Office in the absence of the City Attorney.

The ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate will have broad experience in a variety of areas of civil and municipal law. The City Attorney's Office routinely advises on issues involving the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, contracts and procurement, personnel matters, public safety, public works, advisory and litigation services, land use, planning, CEQA, code enforcement, and beyond. Experience in several of these areas is preferred but not necessarily required.

The ideal candidate will have a high degree of professionalism, careful attention to detail, strong work ethic, and excellent legal judgment. The successful candidate will join a City Attorney's Office that values collaboration, integrity, a sense of humor, efficiency, and exemplary customer service.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Assists the City Attorney in managing and directing the City Attorney's Office.
Assists in developing department goals and objectives; assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
Assists with the preparation of the City Attorney's office budget; assists in budget implementation; forecasts funds for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
Assists in developing and implementing the City Attorney's Office work plan.
Confers with and advises City departments, the City Council, boards, and commissions concerning their duties, powers, and functions; performs legal research and investigates, evaluates, and resolves a variety of complex legal matters; prepares written and oral opinions on various legal issues for presentation to the City Council, City departments, and various boards and commissions.
Provides legal support to City departments; prepares drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents and instruments; reviews joint agency agreements, mutual aid agreements, grants, and various competitive bid documents; provides opinions as to the legal acceptability of agreements, covenants, and other binding documents presented to the City for consideration by outside parties or agencies.
Represents the City in litigation, or coordinates outside litigation counsel and supervises related activities; investigates claims and complaints against the City and takes or recommends appropriate action.
Makes initial decisions concerning advisability to prosecute, compromise, or dismiss civil or criminal actions.
Assists in or prepares cases including those related to the Municipal Code for hearings, trials, and other judicial proceedings; represents the City in such proceedings.
Reviews and analyzes court rulings and legislation relative to their effect on municipal government operations; recommends changes in policies and procedures in order to meet current legal requirements.
Represents the City Attorney at various City Council, board and commission meetings and in court as directed.
Confers with and advises City departments in establishing policies by applying legal points and procedures; recommends changes in policies and procedures to meet current legal requirements.
Prepares and presents training to City departments related to a variety of enforcement issues, public records access, employment law, and other legal matters.
Responds to requests for information from the general public, City staff, outside agencies, and other interested parties; researches requested information.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Serves as the City Attorney as required.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Graduation from law school with a Juris Doctorate degree;

and

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience as an attorney in the practice of civil or municipal law.

License Requirements:

Active membership, in good standing, in the State Bar of California.
A valid California Class C driver license or higher is required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.