Closing Date: 24th July, 2024

Description:

A City in California has one vacancy which may be filled at either the Senior Assistant, Assistant, or Deputy City Attorney level.

For all Attorney classifications, A City in California:

contributes 4% of the 7% employee contribution to CalPERS for classic members;
contributes 2% of an employee's gross pay to a deferred compensation plan, and
provides fully employer paid medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Annual salaries listed below include 3.5% premium pay.

Senior Assistant City Attorney: $204,603 - $255,754
Assistant City Attorney: $178,595 - $223,244
Deputy City Attorney: $144,965 - $181,205

About the Position:
A City in California seeks a qualified attorney to fill one vacancy. The position will provide complex professional legal services supporting City departments, boards and commissions, and City Council, and may represent the City in administrative and judicial actions. Significant experience in the practice of general municipal law, including working knowledge in at least one or more of the following areas, is required: environmental regulation and compliance (including CEQA), stormwater regulation, Clean Water Act, election law, Brown Act, the Public Records Act, Conflict of Interest law, public contracting, real estate transactions, land use, housing, public sector labor and employment, law enforcement, code enforcement, and/or municipal litigation. Experience staffing public meetings and/or willingness to do so is a plus.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and highly collaborative, with excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to take on complex legal matters, develop an accessible and approachable relationship with city staff, and find creative approaches to solve problems collaboratively.

About the Office:
A City in California consists of five attorneys, including the City Attorney, and two support staff. The vacancy being filled is due to the appointment of a long-serving attorney in the office to City Attorney in May 2024. Attorneys have a high level of independence and autonomy in their work appropriate to their skill and experience levels. The office operates as a team and attorneys and staff enjoy engaging together on legal projects and process improvements. Client assignments depend on experience, interests, and identified areas for cross-training and skill development.

Remote work on a hybrid schedule (up to 3 days per week remote) is permitted. The City Attorney's Office enjoys a spacious office suite on the top floor of a new energy-efficient, LEED platinum certified City Hall building that opened in Spring 2023. There is ample onsite parking, an onsite fitness center, and City Hall is within walking distance to the Sunnyvale CalTrain station.

For the full job description, click below:

Deputy City Attorney (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sunnyvale/classspecs/907847)
Assistant City Attorney (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sunnyvale/classspecs/907845)
Senior Assistant City Attorney (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sunnyvale/classspecs/907849)

Essential Job Functions:
May include, but are not limited to, the following:

All levels of assignment are responsible for:

Acts as liaison with the District Attorney and County Counsel on matters of joint interest and with outside counsel on civil matters.
Handles (Deputy may handle) criminal discovery motions including motions for discovery of Public Safety personnel records.
Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, ordinances, and other legal sources in advising officers and employees of the City in legal matters.
Represents the City in the community and at professional meetings as required.
Answers inquiries from City departments and other agencies pertaining to City operations.
Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.
Prosecutes misdemeanor and infraction violations of City ordinances and criminal appeals.
Performs legal research and prepares opinions on various legal issues; provides professional legal advice to City departments, boards, commissions, and the City Council.
Prepares cases and represents the City in administrative hearings.
Prepares and drafts ordinances, resolutions, permits, administrative procedures and policies, contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents and instruments; reviews such documents and offers opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration.

Senior Assistant City Attorney duties also include:

Assists City Attorney in making decisions regarding when to prosecute, compromise or dismiss civil litigation.
Attends meetings of the City Council and boards and commissions as a legal advisor.
Establish and maintain effective working relations with office staff, other City staff, opposing counsel and the public.
Gives legal advice and counsel on matters such as acceptable methods for gathering evidence; prepares opinions concerning the actions, powers, duties, functions, and obligations of City officials.
Investigates claims and complaints by and against the City.
Oversees services provided by outside legal specialists engaged by the City for special legal problems.
Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff involved in the performance of professional, technical, and clerical legal duties, as assigned.
Provide staff training on legal issues as assigned.
Represents the City, its officers and employees in civil actions brought by or against the City in state and federal court, including tort cases, petitions, forfeiture or weapons, and appeals of City administrative decisions.
Serves in the absence of the City Attorney, as assigned.

Assistant City Attorney duties also include:

As requested or directed, gives legal advice and counsel on matters such as acceptable methods for gathering evidence; prepares opinions concerning the actions, powers, duties, functions, and obligations of City officials.
Assists the City Attorney as required in court, at council meetings and with respect to litigation, risk management and attendance at City Council meetings.
Attends meetings of Boards and Commissions and serves as a legal advisor.
May advise on liability and insurance issues and claims.
May assist City Attorney in making decisions with regard to when to prosecute, compromise or dismiss civil litigation.
May investigate claims and complaints by or against the City and recommend action to be taken.
May oversee services provided by outside legal specialists engaged by the City for special legal problems.
May provide technical or functional supervision to Deputy I Attorney and Paralegal.
May represent the City Attorney at City Council meetings and in court when necessary.
Represents the City, its officers and employees in civil actions brought by or against the City in state and federal court, including tort cases, petitions, forfeiture or weapons, and appeals of City administrative decisions.

Deputy City Attorney duties also include:

Act as primary or backup advisor to City boards and commissions as assigned.
Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City and recommends action to be taken.
Represents the City, its officers and employees in civil actions brought by or against the City in state or federal court.

Working Conditions:
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, books and documents weighing up to 10 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school; AND

Deputy City Attorney: Minimum of 2 years of legal experience required serving cities or other public entities.
Assistant City Attorney: Minimum of 5 years of legal experience required, with at least 2 years serving cities or other public entities preferred, either in-house as a Deputy or Assistant or equivalent or at a private firm that serves public entities.
Senior Assistant City Attorney: Minimum of 8 years of legal experience required, with at least 4 years serving cities or other public entities preferred, either in-house as a Deputy or Assistant or equivalent or at a private firm that serves public entities.

Knowledge of: