Assistant City Attorney

City of Livermore, CA; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Livermore is recruiting for a Senior Assistant City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney to support the City Attorney’s Office. The selected candidate will perform professional legal and administrative work, provide counsel to staff and Council, and represent the City in litigation as needed.

Requirements include a Juris Doctorate, California Bar admission, and four years of legal practice with two years in municipal law, plus the ability to handle complex contracts and land-use

Qualifications

• Minimum four years practicing law, with at least two years in California municipal law.
• Candidate must have litigation experience.
• Active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal research, advice and counsel to City staff, City Council and boards.
• Represent the City in court and prepare court documents.
• Draft contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases and deeds.
• Advise on land use, planning and CEQA; assist in policy development.

Skills

Legal research

Municipal law

Litigation

Policy analysis

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Courtroom procedures

Job description

The City of Livermore is accepting applications for Senior Assistant City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney. The City may fill the vacancy at either the Senior Assistant City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. For more information, please refer to the job flyer. Candidates interested in being considered for both classifications must apply separately to each recruitment. A separate application and supplemental questionnaire are required for each position.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs professional legal and administrative work for the City Attorney’s Office; provides legal research, advice and counsel to City staff, City Council and boards and commissions; reviews and drafts contracts, ordinances and other documents; represents the City in court; advises the City Council in the City Attorney's absence; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Assistant City Attorney is a journey level job classification. Incumbents in this classification have a broad range of independence within policy and procedural guidelines. This classification is distinguished from the Deputy City Attorney by the variety, scope, and complexity of assignments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General direction is received from the City Attorney.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May assign work and provide direction to secretarial staff and temporary employees.

Performs legal research and prepares opinions regarding City business; attends Planning Commission meetings and provides advice on land use and procedural matters; provides verbal and written legal advice on a daily basis to other City departments and prepares documents, as necessary; represents the City in litigation, including preparation of court documents and appearances in court; drafts and reviews legal documents including contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, and deeds; responds to citizen complaints and requests for information; analyzes recent cases/legislation and recommends changes in policies and procedures to meet legal requirements; assists in organizing and coordinating the work of the City Attorney's office, including some supervision of office personnel; performs special projects/assignments; negotiates complex transactions; investigates and evaluates claims against the City in conjunction with the Risk Manager; prosecutes code enforcement actions; establishes and maintains effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicates effectively both orally and in writing; uses personal computer to perform word processing and spreadsheet functions.

Demonstrated Knowledge of

Principles of municipal law, including: planning, land use, Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, finance, personnel and labor relations, administrative procedures; legal research methods; rules of evidence and conduct of hearings in court and administrative settings; functioning of City government and its various departments; effective supervision techniques; effective public speaking techniques personal computer operating systems and software applications.

Demonstrated Skill to

Perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles to complex problems; provide well-reasoned legal advice; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; maintain confidentiality; act with loyalty and integrity; work collaboratively and independently; relate effectively to those contacted in the course of work; supervise clerical staff and subordinate professionals; be tactful and courteous; distinguish between legal and policy matters; work under pressure of deadlines with little or no supervision; utilize personal computers and computer software to perform word processing and spreadsheet functions.

Ability to

Become knowledgeable of the City’s policies and procedures such as the Municipal Code, Zoning Code, Building Code, Administrative Regulations, Personnel Rules and Regulations, and other codes and laws, policies and procedures and apply them to resolve problems and/or answer questions; and work in a dynamic team environment.

Experience, Education and Training Guidelines

Experience

Minimum of four years in the practice of law, with at least two years in California municipal law, is required. Must have some litigation experience. Ability to operate personal computer for word processing and legal research is preferred.

Education

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

Training

Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to this job classification.

License

May require the possession of a California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record as determined by the City.

Other Requirements

Willingness and ability to work the hours necessary to accomplish the assigned duties, including evening and weekend hours; attend evening meetings; travel out of town and attend meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars during work and non-work hours.

Special Requirements

Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to work in a standard office environment; attend meetings at off site locations; converse over the telephone, in person and at public meetings; and operate a personal computer.

The City of Livermore is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity.