Closing Date: 31st March, 2024
Description:
General Purpose:Under general supervision, provides a wide range of professional legal services related to municipal government operations; conducts legal research, prepares opinions, memoranda, administrative rules and regulations and other legal documents; advises City Council, City departments, boards and commissions; represents the City in a variety of litigation that involves administrative hearings, trial and appellate work; provides staff assistance to the City Attorney; and performs other related duties.
Supervision Received/Exercised
Works under the general supervision of the Chief Deputy City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney III; does not exercise supervisory responsibilities.
This is the full journey-level classification for attorneys. Incumbents perform the full range of duties as assigned and receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise. As incumbents progress further in experience, incumbents perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties (advanced journey level Deputy City Attorney III) requiring the frequent use of high degree of independent judgment. This class is distinguished from the entry-level class (Deputy City Attorney I) by the performance of full journey-level work as a practicing attorney.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
- Enforces and/or litigates violations of the Compton Municipal Code; prosecutes misdemeanor violations of City ordinances.
- Performs legal research and prepares written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions.
- Confers with, and renders assistance to department heads in establishing departmental policies by applying legal point and procedures; recommends changes to policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
- Prepares, drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents, agreements and instruments; offers opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agent or agency.
- Investigates claims and complaints against the City and takes or recommends appropriate action.
- Assists in or prepares cases for hearings, trials and other judicial proceedings; represents the City in such proceedings.
- Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
- Reviews and approves certificates of insurance, off-site improvement agreements, grant deeds and various other documents.
- May represent the City Attorney at various City Council, board and commission meetings and in court as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association approved law school; AND two (2) years of experience in a private law practice or government agency; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required licenses or certifications:
- Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License.
- Active membership in the California Bar.
Required Knowledge of:
- City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
- State and Federal laws, statutes, regulations, rules and codes regulating City government.
- Court system rules of civil and criminal procedures; rules of evidence; general tort, contract and constitution laws as related to government.
- Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional and administrative laws and procedures.
- Methods of legal research.
- Tort law and liability insurance litigation.
- Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
- Statutes and court decisions relating to civil rights and public labor law.
- Established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
- Ordinances, statutes and court decisions relating to municipal corporations.
- Personal computers and software applications.
Required Skill in:
- Analyzing technical and statutory issues, evaluating alternatives, and making decisions based on findings.
- Reviewing, correcting and maintaining complex and extensive records.
- Working independently with respect to legal documents, correspondence and memoranda.
- Scheduling assignments; planning, organizing and coordinating workflow.
- Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
- Effective verbal and written communication.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, City departments, elected officials, outside agencies and the general public.
Physical Demands / Work Environment:
- Work is performed indoors in an office setting.
- Work requires frequent light lifting, sorting, filing, typing and on occasion climbing (up to 4 feet).
- Moderate finger dexterity and near vision is required.
- May be exposed to minor amounts of dust.
