Description:
Position Information:The City of Turlock is seeking a dedicated and experienced legal professional to serve as City Attorney.
The Community
In the heart of California's Central Valley, Turlock is the second largest city in Stanislaus County, with a population that has grown steadily from 13,992 in 1970 to 72,219 today. Home to California State University, Stanislaus , the City provides an unusual opportunity to combine a quality learning environment with relaxed rural living and a small-town atmosphere and friendly attitude with the conveniences and opportunities of a larger city.
The backbone of the City's economy is agriculture, being located in the third richest agricultural county in the country. Turlock has become economically sound, agriculturally elite, and continues to seek growth and development that complements the city's business and industry and the needs of its residents.
Cultural art experiences, sports activities, twenty-four parks, twenty one schools, a full range of medical facilities, the attractiveness of the nearby Mother Lode, and the San Francisco Bay area and the Sierra Nevada's within a two-hour drive, are all part of the pleasure of living in Turlock.
City Government
Turlock is a General Law City that operates under the Council Manager form of government. There are eleven city departments offering a full range of City services to the community.
- City Manager's Office
- City Attorney's Office
- Human Relations
- Risk Management
- Finance
- Economic Development
- Development Services
- Municipal Services
- Police
- Fire
- Information Technology
The City Council currently has approved budget allocations for 446 full-time employees. The General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is $64,198,405. The unrestricted General Fund Reserve is $23,829,019 and the assigned/committed General Fund Reserve is $9,424,625 for a total General Fund Reserve of $33,253,644, which is 52% of the total Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund Budget.
Turlock's City Council is made up of five members, including a mayor and a vice mayor. As the elected legislative body of the City of Turlock, the City Council has overall responsibility for the scope, direction and financing of City services. The City Council establishes local law and policy that is administered and implemented through staff under the Council Manager form of government. The Council is also responsible for establishing land use policies through the General Plan and zoning regulations. Under the Council-Manager form of government, the City Council provides policy direction to the City Manager, who is responsible for administering City operations. In setting policy, the Council works closely with citizen advisory commissions and committees, considers staff information and recommendations, and receives input from interested parties and the public.
The City Council appoints both the City Manager and the City Attorney.
The Position of City Attorney
The career opportunity is the result of the recent resignation announcement of Turlock City Attorney. The City Attorney is the chief legal officer for the City of Turlock. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community while ensuring compliance with laws and supporting sound governance. In addition, the City Attorney is responsible for handling or supervision of all litigation initiated against the City or on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney is also charged with prosecuting violations of the Turlock Municipal Code that contains numerous quality-of-life ordinances regarding animal control, nuisance abatement, and various business activity licenses. Unique to Turlock, the City Attorney is a working member of the Executive Team consisting of the City Manager and Department Directors. Under policy direction, the incumbent acts as legal advisor to the City Council, City Administrative Staff, and various boards and commissions of the City; represents the City in litigation; directs the City's legal services; and to do related work as required.
The City Attorney is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.
This position is designated as Management for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Exercises policy interpretation and application for assigned program/functional area.
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate technical competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments.
Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with municipal codes, ordinances, City policy, and related regulating entities.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Policy direction is provided by the City Council.
The job incumbent may provide general supervision to subordinate level technical and clerical staff as assigned.
Essential Functions:
Essential Functions - Include but Are Not Limited to The Following:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Qualifications:
The career opportunity is the result of the recent resignation announcement of Turlock City Attorney. The City Attorney is the chief legal officer for the City of Turlock. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community while ensuring compliance with laws and supporting sound governance. In addition, the City Attorney is responsible for handling or supervision of all litigation initiated against the City or on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney is also charged with prosecuting violations of the Turlock Municipal Code that contains numerous quality-of-life ordinances regarding animal control, nuisance abatement, and various business activity licenses. Unique to Turlock, the City Attorney is a working member of the Executive Team consisting of the City Manager and Department Directors. Under policy direction, the incumbent acts as legal advisor to the City Council, City Administrative Staff, and various boards and commissions of the City; represents the City in litigation; directs the City's legal services; and to do related work as required.
The City Attorney is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.
This position is designated as Management for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Exercises policy interpretation and application for assigned program/functional area.
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate technical competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments.
Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with municipal codes, ordinances, City policy, and related regulating entities.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Policy direction is provided by the City Council.
The job incumbent may provide general supervision to subordinate level technical and clerical staff as assigned.
Essential Functions:
Essential Functions - Include but Are Not Limited to The Following:
- Renders legal opinions to the City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads as requested
- Analyzes legislation affecting the City
- Prepares legislation, contracts, agreements and other legal documents
- Reviews the legality or sufficiency of contracts, bonds, bids, leases, insurance, and claims
- Attends meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, and various committees and boards as required and renders legal advice on matters on the agenda
- Represents the City in litigation and administrative hearings
- Prosecutes criminal violators of City laws and civil remedies to abate public nuisance, recover for damages to City property, condemns private property for public purposes and other matters
- Supervises and reviews the work of legal and secretarial staff
- Researches, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Qualifications:
Knowledge of:
Ability to:
Experience and Education:
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- Organizations, duties, powers, limitations and authority of City government and the City Attorney's office.
- California codes and principles of administration and constitutional law
- Methods of legal research
- Purposes and functions of governmental agencies, boards, commissions and other governmental bodies
Ability to:
- Conduct legal research
- Evaluate facts and interpret the law
- Investigate and prosecute civil complaints
- Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems
- Present laws, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form
- Supervise legal and clerical staff and establish effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Experience and Education:
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Three years of experience in the practice of law for a governmental jurisdiction, preferably a municipality.
Training:
Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
License:
Admission to the Bar of the State of California and ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
Additional Information:
Physical Conditions:
Maintain the following physical abilities: See well enough to operate vehicles and equipment, read instructionsandfollowdirections;hearwellenoughtodistinguishmechanicalnoises,toconverseonthe radio, telephone and in person; use of hands and fingers for writing, typing, and other computer related functions; and be able to lift equipment as necessary.
Selection Process:
All applicants must complete and return a standard Application for Employment form, supplemental questionnaires and submit the following documentation:
You may submit your required documentation using the following options:
Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option, or
Fax a copy to (209) 668-5529, or
Email a copy to jdhami@turlock.ca.us or
Hand deliver copies of your documentation to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA 95380
Applications will be rejected if they are incomplete or required documentation is not attached.
Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Applications will be re
Three years of experience in the practice of law for a governmental jurisdiction, preferably a municipality.
Training:
Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
License:
Admission to the Bar of the State of California and ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
Additional Information:
Physical Conditions:
Maintain the following physical abilities: See well enough to operate vehicles and equipment, read instructionsandfollowdirections;hearwellenoughtodistinguishmechanicalnoises,toconverseonthe radio, telephone and in person; use of hands and fingers for writing, typing, and other computer related functions; and be able to lift equipment as necessary.
Selection Process:
All applicants must complete and return a standard Application for Employment form, supplemental questionnaires and submit the following documentation:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Proof of education is a copy of one of the following: a college degree or a college transcript.
- Proof of Bar license.
Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option, or
Fax a copy to (209) 668-5529, or
Email a copy to jdhami@turlock.ca.us or
Hand deliver copies of your documentation to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA 95380
Applications will be rejected if they are incomplete or required documentation is not attached.
Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Applications will be re
