SENIOR DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY (Advisory)

Description

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 Senior Deputy City Attorney in our ADVISORY section.

The Ideal Candidate has been practicing municipal law advising cities in California for at least 7 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. A Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and active membership in the State Bar of California is required.

City Attorney's Office
The Office of the City Attorney represents and 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, the City Attorney defends the City in every lawsuit, prepares and/or reviews all City Ordinances, Resolutions, contracts and other legal documents, and, attends City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and other City staff meetings. The City Attorney also prosecutes criminal cases arising from violation of the provisions 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 Senior Deputy City Attorney is assigned high level, advisory assignments with emphasis in complex transactions, advising departments on environmental and land use issues, including CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, Coastal Act as well as in-depth knowledge of the Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act and Roberts Rules of Order to serve as staff counsel to City boards, commissions and committees. The incumbent may provide direction and assistance to less experienced attorneys at the Deputy City Attorney levels and are assigned to handle high exposure advice principally in areas of land use, personnel, municipal finance and public works contracting. Employees at this level receive minimal instruction or assistance and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the City.

Examples of Essential Duties

Advisory Position

• 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 Attorney;
• 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 Attorney

Please click here to review the full job description.

Minimum Qualifications

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 advisory attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.

License/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver license and an acceptable driving record are required by time of appointment and throughout employment.

Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

• Application Review - Please attach 1. a cover letter, and 2. an updated resume
• Examination(s) - A oral exam (weighted 100%) will be scheduled when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
• Selection Interview
• Background Investigation
• Appointment

The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Management Employees' Organization members including:

The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.

PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.

TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.

GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.

GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.

The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:

Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation

New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.

CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Management Employees' Organization".

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• City of Huntington Beach

Show more