Closing Date: 20th July, 2026
Description:
Job Description:The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking a collaborative and adaptable Deputy City Attorney I-II (0.75 FTE) passionate about public service and grounded in common sense and strong communication skills.
The City Attorney Department invites applications for the role of a ¾ time Deputy City Attorney. This position offers the right candidate a less-than-full-time schedule to balance work with the other aspects of their life while joining a highly skilled team of attorneys in support of objective, fact-based advocacy and advice to the City organization, its elected representatives, and staff. This is a partial full-time, 0.75 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) position and is eligible for benefits, which will be prorated based on the 30-hour work week. The ideal person for this role will be able to work independently; deliver excellent and timely work product; lead through influence, rather than authority; and publicly represent the City and speak persuasively on legal matters.
If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Thursday, August 6, 2026, so please hold that date. If selected to move forward, second round interviews will be held in person, tentatively on Wednesday, August 12th
Job Summary:
Performs a wide range of professional legal services and provides legal advice to assigned City departments and programs; performs legal research and renders opinions; drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents; may serve as an independent advisor to City advisory bodies or boards; may provide lead direction on assigned projects to staff in the City Attorney's Office at the direction of the City Attorney.
Class Characteristics:
Deputy City Attorney I This Is the Entry Level in The Deputy City Attorney Classification Series. Initially Under Close Supervision, Incumbents Gain Experience in Areas of Municipal Law Such as Land Use, Environmental, Civil Rights, Labor Relations, Contract Preparation and Negotiation, Code Enforcement and Prosecution of Municipal Offenses, Public Works Projects, Municipal Real Estate Transactions, Municipal Finance, Elections, Public Transparency, Ethics, and Conflict of Interest Laws Related to Public Officials. This Classification Is Distinguished from Deputy City Attorney Ii in That the Latter Is a Journey-Level Classification that Requires Greater Independent Judgment and Responsibility for More Complex Professional Legal Work.
Deputy City Attorney Ii This Is the Journey Level in The Deputy City Attorney Classification Series. Incumbents Are Expected to Exercise a High Degree of Professional Independence and Legal Judgment in Areas of Municipal Law Such as Land Use, Environmental, Civil Rights, Labor Relations, Contract Preparation and Negotiation, Code Enforcement and Prosecution of Municipal Offenses, Public Works Projects, Municipal Real Estate Transactions, Municipal Finance, Public Works Projects, Municipal Real Estate Transactions, Municipal Finance, Elections, Public Transparency, Ethics, and Conflict of Interest Laws Related to Public Officials. This Classification Is Distinguished from Deputy City Attorney Iii in That the Latter Is an Advanced Journey-Level Classification that Has Broad Discretion and Decision-Making Responsibility in Addition to Performing the Most Complex Professional Legal Work with Little Supervision.
Supervision:
Supervision Received and Exercised:
Deputy City Attorney I
Receives General Supervision from The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney. May Provide Lead Direction on Assigned Matters to Administrative Support Staff.
Deputy City Attorney Ii
Receives Direction from The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney. May Provide Lead Direction on Assigned Matters to Paraprofessional or Administrative Support Staff.
Examples of Duties:
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
(any One Position May Not Include All of The Duties Listed nor Do the Listed Examples Include All Tasks that May Be Found in Positions of This Class.)
Performs Legal Research and Renders Opinions in Writing and Orally for Assigned Departments and Programs.
- Provides Advice to Staff on Routine Matters and Makes Recommendations to The City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney on Complex Matters.
- Assists the City Staff of Assigned Departments in The Review and Modification of Operational Policies in The Context of Applicable Legal Parameters and Procedures; Recommends Changes in City Policies and Procedures to Meet Changing Legislative and Legal Requirements Subject to The Review and Direction of The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney.
- Drafts Ordinances, Resolutions, Contracts, Deeds, Leases, Pleadings, Motions, Discovery Responses, and Other Legal Documents and Instruments.
- Prepares and Directs Administrative Support Staff in The Preparation of A Variety of Written Correspondence, Reports, and Other Materials.
- Properly Saves and Retains the Working and Official Files of The Department.
- Reviews Materials Responsive to Public Record and Discovery Requests and Advises Staff on Applicability of Legal Exemptions to Production.
- Monitors Changes in Laws, Regulations, and Technology that May Affect Departmental and City Operations; Implements Policy and Procedural Changes After Approval by City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney.
- Supports and Serves as A Legal Advisor to Boards, Committees, and Commissions, Including Attendance at Public Meetings, as Assigned by The City Attorney.
- Identifies Organizational Training Needs, Plans For, and Leads Legal Training Sessions for Internal Departments and Advisory Bodies as Assigned by The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney.
- Prepares for And Represents the City in Criminal, Civil, and Administrative Proceedings as Assigned by The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney, Including Criminal Prosecution of Municipal Code Violations and De Novo Reviews of Administrative Citations.
- Performs Related Duties Similar to The Above in Scope and Function as Required.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge Of:
- Federal, State, and Local Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances.
- Federal, State, and Local Trial, Writ, and Appeal Procedures and Methods of Preparation.
- Local Agency Ethics, Public Transparency, and Public Records Requirements and Practices.
- Principles and Requirements of Professional Responsibility, Including Organizational Client Representation, Privilege, Work Product, and Confidentiality.
- Legal Issues and Practices Related to Municipal Government Functions.
- Legal Principles and Procedures, Including Civil, Criminal, and Administrative Law.
- Court Procedures and Rules of Evidence.
- Methods of Legal Research, Including Online Research.
- Computer Applications Related to The Work, Including Word Processing, Database, Spreadsheet, and Website Applications.
- Techniques for Providing Professional Customer Service to The Community, City Legislative and Advisory Bodies, and City Staff, in Person, in Writing, and Over the Phone.
Ability To:
- Critically Analyze and Provide Legally Supportable Alternatives for Resolution of Routine and Complex Legal Matters.
- Communicate Clearly and Concisely, Orally and In Writing.
- Present Statements of Law, Fact, and Argument Clearly and Logically.
- Properly Interpret and Make Recommendations in Accordance with Laws, Regulations, and Policies.
- Conduct Research on Legal Problems and Prepare Sound Legal Opinions and Alternatives.
- Prepare Cases and Represent the City in Court, Administrative Proceedings, or Public Hearings Before Council or Advisory Bodies as Necessary.
- Exercise Sound, Independent Judgment Within General Legal, Policy, and Procedural Guidelines.
- Work in A Team Atmosphere and Participate, as Appropriate, on A Variety of Departmental and City-Wide Project Teams to Enhance the Provisions of All City Services.
- Establish and Maintain Effective Working Relationships with The City Attorney's Office Employees, Public Officials, Members of Other Departments and Agencies, the General Public, and Others Contacted in The Course of The Work.
- Work with Diverse Populations and Maintain an Inclusive Environment.
Typical Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Deputy City Attorney I
Possession of A Juris Doctor Degree from An Accredited School of Law.
Possession and Maintenance Of:
- Must Be a Current Member of The California State Bar Association in Good Standing.
- Clets Training Within Six Months of Hire and Every Two Years Thereafter.
- Deputy City Attorney Ii
In Addition to The Requirements of The Deputy City Attorney I:
- Two Years of Experience as A Practicing Attorney Performing Legal And/or Trial Work and A Demonstrated Knowledge of Public Sector Ethics, Transparency, and Records Laws
- Or
- One Year of Experience as A Deputy City Attorney I with The City of San Luis Obispo;
- Or
- An Equivalent Combination of Education and Experience.
- Prior Practice Experience in Municipal Law Areas Preferred, Such as Land Use, Environmental, Civil Rights, Labor Relations, Public Employment, Contract Preparation and Negotiation, Code Enforcement and Prosecution of Municipal Offenses, Public Works Projects,
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