THE POSITION
The Assistant City Attorney is a key member of the City's Management Team reporting to the City Attorney. The position is responsible for assisting the City Attorney in planning and directing the work of professional attorneys; defending the City and its employees in high exposure civil litigation cases; conducting administrative hearings; rendering legal opinions to the City Manager and department directors; conferring with citizens, and their representatives on wide array of municipal legal matters; preparing pleadings/ briefs and arguing cases in state and federal courts; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents; and supervising subordinate professional and support staff as directed by the City Attorney.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City is seeking an Assistant City Attorney to focus on the defense of civil lawsuits in federal and state courts filed against the City and its employees and officers for acts or omissions within the scope of their duty. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of civil litigation experience involving the defense of public entities in both state and federal courts and will have a sound understanding of the governmental tort claim statutes, governmental immunities, as well as applicable federal and state rules of civil procedure and evidence. Significant trial and appellate experience is preferred. Moreover, the City is seeking a highly qualified individual with technical expertise and strong interpersonal and creative problem solving skills. The ideal candidate will have strong oral advocacy, and research and writing skills. Qualified candidates will also be able to communicate in a clear, concise, and direct manner, including conveying technical information in a non-technical manner both orally and in writing. The Assistant City Attorney develops creative pre-litigation and litigation solutions to complex cases and will have the ability to effectively communicate directly with the City Council in closed session.
 
Candidates for this position must possess at least five years of experience as a practicing attorney, either in a governmental agency or in a private practice involving representation of local governmental agencies or pertaining to government-related civil law and be a member in good standing in the California State Bar.Knowledge of: 

• Duties, powers, limitations and authority of municipal corporations;
• Government tort claim statutes;
• California state and federal rules of civil procedure as well as applicable rules of evidence;
• Defenses applicable to common civil lawsuits filed against public agencies;
• Judicial procedures including California Rules of Courts and applicable local rules;
• Insurance-related issues including tenders of claims, claims handling guidelines, and reporting to insurance carriers.

• Research and draft opinions;
• Analyze and draft legal documents and instruments;
• Appraise and organize facts and present evidence and other material clearly and logically in written or oral form;
• Analyze and apply principles of statutory and case law to difficult and/or complex legal questions;
• Prepare, present and conduct lawsuits and appeals effectively;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and employees of the City, court officials and the general public;
• Trains deputies and others on legal and procedural issues.

  Environmental Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens. This position also requires occasional to routine travel to off-site locations for meetings, depositions, and court appearances, which may include exposure to the external environment or industrial type facilities. Extended hours may be required including evenings and weekends. 
Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret information. May require occasional to frequent walking of up to .5 miles to off-site locations.
 
Selection Process: All properly completed applications will be reviewed and a limited number of those applicants deemed to be the most qualified for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process.
 
Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background investigation, and a medical examination, which may include drug screening.
 
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS.
 
CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.
 
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.