Description:

Description:
This recruitment will remain open until filled.The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on March 26, 2026, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.

Note: This posting is a job series in which applications will be accepted, reviewed, and considered based on the qualifications listed on the application. The candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and best meet the City's current needs will be invited to test at the appropriate job level within the series. Only ONE APPLICATION needs to be
submitted to be considered for this job series.

Salary Range:

Deputy City Attorney I:$116,022.40 - $163,259.20 Annually
Deputy City Attorney II: $150,300.80 - $211,473.60 Annually
Senior Deputy City Attorney:$167,668.80 - $235,934.40 Annually

In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the "right person" to serve as Deputy City Attorney I, Deputy City Attorney II, or Senior Deputy City Attorney in our ADVISORY Division.

The Ideal Candidate has been practicing law in California for at least 2 years, with strong municipal law, government law, and or land use legal experience. The Ideal Candidate also has strong legal research and writing experience and experience in writing legal advisory opinions, briefing writs and appeals.

The City Attorney's Office
The Office of the City Attorney represents the City in all aspects of legal representation. In addition to handling lawsuits in-house, and prosecuting crimes at the local level, the City Attorney's Office advises the City Council and all City officials in all matters of law pertaining to the business of the City of Huntington Beach. Among other things, generally the City Attorney defends the City in lawsuits, including Writs and Appeals, prepares and/or reviews all City Ordinances, Resolutions, contracts and other legal documents. The City Attorney also prosecutes criminal cases arising from violation of the City Charter or Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and such State misdemeanors as the City has the power to prosecute.

The Position:

Under general direction from the City Attorney and Chief Assistant City Attorney, the incumbent will be assigned to the Advisory Division of the City Attorney's Office. The Deputy City Attorney I or II perform routine to complex work, while the Senior level position will handle high leveladvisory assignments with emphasis in complex transactions, advising departments on environmental and land useissues, including CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, Coastal Act as well as in-depth knowledge of the Brown Act, PublicRecords Act, Political Reform Act and Roberts Rules of Order to serve as staff counsel to City boards, commissions andcommittees and may provide direction and assistance to less experienced attorneys at the Deputy City Attorney levels.Regarding day-to-day function, these positions received instruction or assistance commensurate with their experienceand position level.
Examples of Essential Duties
Deputy City Attorney I/II:
Timely responds to the needs presented while working in the City Attorney's Office in a professional, responsible, efficient manner in accordance with office policy as set by the City Attorney
Performs a full range of legal research, writing, and other law-related transactional duties
Drafts, reviews, and negotiates leases, contracts, and agreements
Drafts, reviews, evaluates, revises, and recommends City ordinances, resolutions, policies and procedures
Performs legal research, analysis, interprets laws, rulings and regulations, and prepares legal opinions to departments, boards, commissions, agencies and established committees as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
Attends meetings with City staff and/or members of the public on behalf of the City and provides legal advice during the meetings as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
May indirectly supervise other less experienced attorneys, support staff, and interns, provide work assignments and direction, review and evaluate work product as directed by the City Attorney or Chief Assistant City Attorney (at the II level)
Click here to view the full job description for Deputy City Attorney I
Click here to view the full job description for Deputy City Attorney II

In addition to duties listed above, Senior Deputy City Attorney (Advisory) also

Performs the full range of advisory work
Explains City policies and issues to employees, elected officials and the general public
Performs a full range of legal research, analysis, interprets laws, ruling and regulations, and provides legal opinions to departments, boards, commissions, agencies and established committees, as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
Attends meetings with City staff and/or members of the public on behalf of the City and serves as legal advisor during meetings of public bodies, including the City Council, Personnel Commission and Planning Commission, as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
Performs to prevent and minimize legal exposure by providing legal advice to City officers and employees

Click here to view the full job description for Senior Deputy City Attorney

The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. The City, at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position or assignment is qualifying. A typical combination includes:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.

Experience:
Deputy City Attorney I:
Education:Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.

Experience: Two (2) years' experience as a practicing attorney, preferably within a municipal law office or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.

Deputy City Attorney II:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.

Experience:Four (4) years' experience as a practicing attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver'S license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.

Senior Deputy City Attorney:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.

Experience: Five (5) years' experience as a practicing trial or advisory attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services. State and Federal jury trial experience is desired for the trial counsel position.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.

Special Conditions
Employees Regularly Assigned/required to Drive a City or Personal Vehicle in The Course and Scope of Work Shall Be Required to Participate in The Dmv Employer Pull Notice Program.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In Accordance with Government Code Section 3100, All Huntington Beach City Employees Are Required to Perform Assigned Disaster Service Worker Duties in The Event of An Emergency or A Disaster.

Application and Selection Procedure

An Online Application Must Be Fully Completed
Applicants Must Clearly Demonstrate that They Meet the Minimum Education, Experience, License And/or Certification Requirements to Be Considered.
Applicants Whose Qualifications Best Meet the City's Needs Will Be Invited to Participate in A Virtual Oral Examination (weighted 100%), Which Will Be Scheduled Once a Sufficiently Qualified Applicant Pool Has Been Established.
Selection Interview
Appointment