Closing Date: 28th May, 2026
Description:
Job Information:See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
The San Diego City Attorney's Office (https://www.sandiego.gov/cityattorney) protects the people of San Diego by serving as chief legal counsel to the City of San Diego's elected officials and operational departments; prosecuting and defending civil cases involving the City; and as the City's prosecutor on behalf of the People of the State of California, by holding accountable those who commit crimes against the public health and safety and violate other local and state laws. Our municipal law firm employs over 185 lawyers and approximately 230 support staff, dedicated to providing legal services to the City of San Diego.
The Criminal and Community Justice Division (https://www.sandiego.gov/city-attorney/about/divisions?link=criminal#criminal) (Criminal Division) of the San Diego City Attorney's Office is seeking applications from candidates who are interested in a position as a Chief Deputy City Attorney (Chief). The Criminal Division will have two openings, one in the Appellate Unit and one in the Special Prosecutions Unit. We are seeking to fill these positions by mid-June 2026. The selected Chief Deputy City Attorneys will report directly to the Assistant City Attorney of the Criminal Division.
ImPORTANT: Deputies currently holding a Chief position should also apply if they are interested in managing these units. Depending on the outcome of the interview process, additional Chief positions in other units may become available, and we may use this same recruitment to fill those openings. This means that if you are a deputy who is interested in a Chief position in any of the units (currently vacant or not), you should submit an application because we may use this same recruitment to fill Chief positions in other units that may become vacant now or in the near future.
We are looking for candidates who have extensive knowledge and practical experience in the various areas of law handled by the Criminal Division. Candidates must have strong and persuasive oral and written advocacy skills, are practical problem solvers, take initiative, and demonstrate effective communication and conflict resolution skills, as well as work effectively as part of a team.
Example of Duties:
Some of the Chief's specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Leadership and management of the Unit and all assigned personnel.
- Supervise, mentor, and train deputies, review attorney work product, and provide constructive feedback to assist with attorney development.
- Handle cases, including high-profile and media cases.
- Ensure that the deputies meet the Office expectations (e.g., work hours, timely completion of assigned work, timely completion of mandatory trainings, etc.).
- Ensure that internal procedures are followed and provide solutions to deputies and staff when problems arise.
- Actively monitor and resolve issues regarding Unit staffing and personnel needs while providing leadership and motivation; provide solutions to deputies and staff when problems arise.
- Represent the Office in court, to the public, to law enforcement, to justice and other organizational partners, and to other City departments.
- Regularly prepare Unit performance and case status reports.
- Timely complete annual performance evaluations of all deputies assigned to the Unit.
- Draft, update, and implement the Unit's operational policies and procedures.
- Find opportunities to make the Unit more efficient.
- Ensure cases are assigned, reviewed, and processed in a timely and proficient manner.
- Discuss case strategy and proposed settlements of cases if warranted.
- Establish and conduct orientation and training programs.
- Observe deputies in trial, motions, and when otherwise appearing in court; provide performance feedback for their professional development.
- Attend Criminal Division Chiefs' meetings and other meetings as required.
- Coordinate with other Chief Deputy City Attorneys to ensure consistency in handling cases.
- Keep the Division's Assistant City Attorney informed on high-profile/politically sensitive/media issues and Unit concerns (e.g., workload, performance issues, etc.).
- Identify employee accomplishments for acknowledgement and potential discretionary leave.
- Lead unit supervisors to ensure that deputies are sufficiently trained on Unit subject matter, procedure, and that assignments are being distributed in a timely and balanced manner.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to effectively supervise and lead a team of attorneys and support staff; this includes the ability to build trust, provide appropriate guidance and direction when delegating assignments, manage a team with minimal supervision, coach and counsel staff when needed, and hold those they supervise accountable for completing assignments and meeting performance standards.
Minimum Requirements:
Applicants are required to:
- Have at least four years of experience in criminal prosecution practicing at the City Attorney's Office or another prosecution agency and tried a minimum of five jury trials.
- Have at least five years of leadership, management, supervisory, or practical experience, and strong oral and written communications skills.
- Be available to attend meetings, respond to emails and telephone calls, and perform work assignments that are high priority or require immediate attention at times other than normal business hours.
Supplemental Information:
Notes:
The City of San Diego and Deputy City Attorney Association (DCAA) are in continuous negotiations of the future Memorandum of Understanding. Job bulletins will be updated with anticipated future wage increases for Deputy City Attorneys as information becomes available.
Chief Deputy City Attorney Add-on Pay: Pursuant to the DCAA Memorandum of Understanding, Article 6, the Chief designation is a special assignment granted by the City Attorney. The special assignment is for two years in duration and may be extended thereafter in one-year increments at the sole discretion of the City Attorney. While occupying the Chief special assignment, deputies will qualify for 5% additional pay. The City Attorney's decision to promote, remove, or extend the term of a Chief is a management right not subject to appeal or the grievance procedure.
Work-life balance is important to us! The City Attorney's Office generally supports remote teleworking and the position may allow for a hybrid schedule with a mix of in-office and remote work after the introductory and probationary period. Please refer to the Office's teleworking policy.
Compensation and Benefits: The successful candidate's annual salary is based on the Deputy City Attorney salary table and dependent on qualifications and level of relevant legal experience. For further salary information, refer to the Deputy City Attorney Salary Table (Download PDF reader).
In addition to a competitive salary, the City of San Diego offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Participation in the City's Flexible Benefits Plan, which offers several optional benefit plans or a taxable cash option.
- $50,000 in City-paid life insurance.
- Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Paid annual leave (paid time off) accruing at 22 days per year for the 1st through 15th year of service.
- San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS) defined benefit (pension) plan.
- Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans (401(k)/457(b)).
- Retiree Medical Trust Plan.
- Holidays – Eleven (11) paid holidays are provided annually and one (1) Floating Holiday in a fiscal year.
- Long-Term Disability Income Plan.
- Eleven paid holidays annually and one floating holiday (paid time off) each fiscal year.
Other Miscellaneous Benefits:
- Free MTS transit pass.
- City-awarded discretionary leave (paid time off).
- Up to 8 weeks of paid Parental Leave.
- Paid time off for jury duty.
- Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave each fiscal year.
- Professional Development Reimbursement up to $2,000 for the cost of professional tuition, publications, and equipment purchases each fiscal year.
- Employee Assistance Program.
To learn more about all the employee benefits, please review the Benefits Summary for DCAA Employees (Download PDF reader). Some benefits currently offered to employees may be modified in the future.
For further information, please contact the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-6600. Retirement benefits for this unclassified position depend on the candidate's eligible status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes that are applicable to this job, which may include but are not limited to the following:
- Proof of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States.
- Reference checks.
- Fingerprint checks: fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record rep
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