DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY - ADVISORY

The City Attorney's Office is seeking well-qualified individuals to fill two positions: a litigation role and an advisory role.

Deputy City Attorneys work a City of Stockton 9/80 schedule: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays; 8:00 am to 5:00 Fridays, with alternating Fridays off. May be required to work additional hours and/or weekends to provide critical support to key initiatives.

This position is an At-Will (unclassified/unrepresented) position. Incumbents in this position are excluded from the Civil Service system and unrepresented. Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be referred to the hiring department. Applicants who fail to fully complete the online application/supplemental questionnaire are subject to rejection.

Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.

This position will be for Advisory.

Under general direction performs legal work related to municipal government operations; to conduct legal research, prepare opinions, memoranda, administrative rules, regulations, and other documents; to advise city departments, boards, committees, and commissions; to prosecute misdemeanor and/or infraction criminal violations of the Municipal Code and/or other codes adopted by the City; and to represent the City in a variety of litigation. and performs related work as assigned.

Positions in this class may be assigned to Litigation or Advisory. Both perform work related to any of a number of civil areas, some criminal prosecution, and legal services for one or more City departments and their associated elected or appointed boards, committees, and commissions. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with legal matters in any area of municipal law. Deputy City Attorney is distinguished from Assistant City Attorney in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of City legal matters and may act as the City Attorney on a relief basis.

Litigator

• Represents the City in court cases encompassing a wide variety of civil and criminal subject matters.
• Handles court appearances, including dispositive motion hearings, settlement conferences, and mediations in complex cases.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City; gives advice on action to be taken and prepares cases for hearings and represents the City in such hearings.
• Represents the City in administrative hearings before City Boards, Committees, and Commissions as well as Federal and State Agencies.
• Initiates Code Enforcement proceedings as necessary and prepares all required documents; prepares cases for condemnation proceedings.
• Performs all discovery tasks, including fact and expert discovery; strategically develops and implements comprehensive discovery plans in complex cases.
• Directs and effectively manages heavy caseload of complex civil litigation files from inception to disposition.
• Identifies necessary deposition witnesses; takes and defends percipient witness, party, and expert depositions.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Advisor

• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on existing litigation and/or City operations and recommends appropriate action.
• Performs complex legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, and the City’s boards, committees, commissions, departments, and city staff.
• May act as a liaison with outside counsel.
• Prepares and offers advice/opinions on ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and other legal documents; confers with and assists City departments by analyzing and applying legal points and procedures and makes necessary recommendations regarding existing policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
• Applies legal knowledge to varied problems.
• Reviews and approves contracts.
• Presents or supports client on items at Council and Committees or other public hearings.
• Researches and prepares oral and written memoranda, opinions and reports; recognizes when issues require alternative analysis and approaches.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Possession of a Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree from an accredited law school and active membership, in good standing, in the California State Bar.

• Valid California driver's license.

• Municipal, State, Federal, and constitutional laws affecting city government;
• Principles, methods, and techniques of legal research and investigation;
• Court and Administrative Agency procedures, including pleading requirements, rules of court, presentation techniques, and evidentiary rules;
• Municipal government organization, structure, and functional responsibilities;
• Ethical and other Rules of Professional Conduct that regulate the practice of law;
• Principles and practices of contract administration; and
• Technology and software relevant to assigned operations.

• Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations;
• Presenting statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically;
• Utilizing effective techniques in the presentation of court cases;
• Exercising sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters;
• Utilizing in a proficient manner, available computer equipment and software, and other law office technology to format prepare, and process documents in a reasonably efficient manner;
• Interpreting state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Mobility – Constant sitting for long periods of time while operating a keyboard; frequent walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling;
• Lifting – Constant lifting and frequent carrying of 10 pounds or less;
• Vision – Constant use of overall visual capabilities; frequent need for use of color perception, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work;
• Dexterity – Constant holding, grasping, typing, repetitive motion and writing;
• Hearing/Talking - Frequent hearing and talking of normal speech in person and on the telephone; Frequent speaking in front of large groups of people;
• Special Requirements – May require weekend or evening work and frequent driving an automobile;
• Emotional/Psychological – Constant concentration, decision making and public contact; occasional ability to exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful situations; and working alone;
• Environmental Conditions – Occasional exposure to noise and indoor cold and heat conditions; and
• Working Conditions – Primarily performed in an office environment which is typically quiet but may be loud at times and at some locations.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

THE PROCESS:

Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be considered for this exciting career opportunity. Applications and supplemental questionnaire are required and only the most qualified applicants will be invited to a departmental interview. A Resume, Cover Letter, and Evidence of Bachelor's Degree (copy of diploma, unofficial transcripts, or grade report) are required (see Supplemental Question #7).

NOTE:

• After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing.
• Notification and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received.
• NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

This position is subject to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) annual filing requirements. Please see the FPPC website, , for more information.