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