Assistant City Attorney - Labor and Employment

City of Oxnard; Oxnard (CA); Sur place; USD 198 000 - 257 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

CalPERS retirement

12 holidays

Health benefits

Résumé du poste

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Department seeks an Assistant City Attorney with labor and employment focus to advise City departments and handle related litigation.

The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor, California Bar membership, eight years of employment/labor law experience, and strong research and writing skills. This role reports to the City Attorney and works in a public sector environment with a heavy emphasis on employment matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Eight years of employment and labor law experience.
• Membership in the State Bar of California.
• Effective English communication, both orally and in writing.

Responsabilités

• Provide sound legal advice to City departments on labor and employment matters.
• Litigate employment and labor issues in tribunals and courts.
• Research and analyze problems, evaluate risks, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Represent the City Attorney at meetings and in proceedings.

Connaissances

Labor law

Employment litigation

Public sector

Legal research

Oral communication

Formation

Juris Doctor

State Bar of California

Description du poste

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Department is seeking a well-qualified, highly motivated Assistant City Attorney to provide sound and ethical legal advice. The City seeks an Assistant City Attorney with a labor and employment background and litigation experience to work in partnership with the City Attorney. This position will focus on employment law, including personnel matters and labor relations, and be the primary point of contact to provide legal advice and opinions to City departments on employment-related issues. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader with experience serving public sector organizations.

What You’ll Do

• Work closely with the Human Resources Department to handle employment and labor law issues.
• Litigate employment and labor law issues in administrative tribunals and in state and federal courts.
• Thoroughly research and analyze problems, evaluate risks, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically while exercising sound and independent judgment that follows the general policies, guidelines and legal parameters of federal and state laws, regulations, and constitutional provisions applicable to municipalities.

Under general direction, the Assistant City Attorney provides a wide range of professional legal services to all City departments and divisions, City Council and various boards, commissions, committees; may assist in coordinating the work of contract attorneys on complex or specialized matters; and performs related duties as assigned.

Payroll/Classification Title: Assistant City Attorney

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Assistant City Attorney is the advanced journey level in the professional legal series. This class is distinguished from the next lower class of Deputy City Attorney II by the level of difficulty and complexity of responsibilities performed. An incumbent in this class is expected to frequently use a high degree of independent judgment and is expected to represent the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings as required.

Supervision Received / Exercised

General direction is provided by the City Attorney. The Assistant City Attorney may exercise technical or functional supervision over Deputy City Attorneys, paralegals and clerical staff.

Work Schedule

The normal work week is Monday‑Thursday, 8:00 a.m. ‑ 6:00 p.m., and alternating Fridays, 8:00 a.m. ‑ 5:00 p.m. Depending on the work assignment staff may be assigned to a shift that is outside the standard work hours. In addition, this position may be required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. The standard work environment varies depending on assignment but is typically either office setting or field. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

Essential Functions

• Provides practical and proactive legal advice to all departments on labor and employment related matters including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, employee discipline and performance management, labor relations, employee benefits, employee accommodations and recruitment.
• Defends the City and City management in employment litigation matters before administrative tribunals and in state and federal court and oversees employment cases handled by outside counsel.
• Writes position papers in response to charges filed with the Department of Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Represents the City in arbitration and grievance matters derived from discipline and labor issues and any ensuing writ litigation in state court.
• Supports HR led employment investigations and oversees investigations conducted by outside counsel.
• Represents and litigates workplace violence restraining orders and gun violence restraining orders.
• Works closely with the Police Department providing advice on operational and personnel matters and provides representation in connection with Pitchess motions and other court matters.
• Helps oversee public liability litigation and the prosecution of misdemeanor violations of City ordinances.
• Attends meetings of boards, commissions and committees as may be required; renders legal advice as requested.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City, recommends action to be take.
• Represents the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings when necessary.
• Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Experience:

• The equivalent of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of employment and labor law or related experience.

Licensing And Certification:

• Membership in the State Bar of California.
• Additional certifications, licenses, endorsements and training may be required, depending on assignment.

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing.

About The Benefits

In exchange for all your hard work and determination, you will receive a competitive salary of $198,059 to $257,477, negotiable based on experience and qualifications, along with a wide host of benefits including:

• Enjoy CalPERS Retirement membership: Classic 2% at 55, New 2% at 62; your contribution secures your future; no Social Security participation.
• 12 paid holidays off per year.
• The City contributes 4.5% of employee base salary to the City-sponsored 401(a) plan.
• The City contributes 1% of employee base salary to a Retirement Health Savings Program.
• Leave accrual rates vary between 6.24 – 11.78 hours per pay period based on years of service with the City of Oxnard.
• 60 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year.
• The City will contribute $2,054.00 monthly towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back with proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will continue to provide $66.79 per month towards dental insurance.
• One‑Time Cash Payments: In lieu of cost of living adjustments, the City will provide a one‑time cash payment for the years specified below. Employees must have worked the 12 months (2080 hours) preceding the payment to be eligible for the full amount. Employees who worked less than the 12 months (2080 hours) requirement, will receive a prorated amount based on the total number of hours they have worked.
  • First full pay period July 2026 – 3% of base salary
  • First full pay period July 2027 – 3% of base salary

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT

On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify

For any questions regarding this recruitment, contact Jackie Ramos at [e-mail].

NOTE

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.

Retirement Contributions

New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Unrepresented Attorneys Annual Leave Accrual Rates

Full time employees accrue annual leave at a rate of 6.24‑11.78 hours per bi-weekly pay period based on years of service.

Administrative Leave

Unrepresented Attorneys are not compensated for overtime worked however at the start of each fiscal year, the department director may authorize administrative leave time of 60 hours.

Deferred Compensation

The City contributes 4.5% of employee base pay/salary to a 401(a) deferred compensation plan. No match required.

Health And Dental

Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City’s contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

• Level One – For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City’s monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee.
• Level Two – For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $1,956.00 towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will continue to provide $74.21 per month towards dental insurance.

Life Insurance

City employees receive Basic Life Coverage ($5,000) + AD&D ($10,000) + 1 × annual salary 100% paid by the City. Employees also have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Holidays

The City observes 12 holidays per year.