Senior Deputy City Attorney

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

Job summary

The City of Escondido seeks a Senior Deputy City Attorney to join the City Attorney's Department. This role provides legal services across departments, advises on complex matters, and represents the City in litigation and administrative hearings. Candidates should have a J.D.

and strong litigation, negotiation, and research skills. Applicants should be prepared for a first review during the week of November 2, 2026, with open until filled status.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.
• Public contract law and legal research methods.
• Duties, powers, and limitations of city government.
• Appellate practices and court procedures.
• Interpreting codes, regulations, and laws; preparing legal documents.
• Ability to handle litigation and provide legal opinions.

Responsibilities

• Represents the City Attorney's Office inPlanning Commission matters and provides legal advice at meetings.
• Advises City Departments, City Council, and Boards on legal issues.
• Represents the City in assigned litigation, including discovery and trial practice.
• Investigates claims and prepares cases for hearings and trial.
• Prepares and reviews contracts, ordinances, and legal documents.
• Supports administrative hearings and legislative development.

Skills

Legal analysis

Issue spotting

Oral communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Legal research

Policy interpretation

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

This position is open until filled.

A first review of applications will take place during the week of November 2, 2026. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Senior Deputy City Attorney in our City Attorney's Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Serves as the representative for the City Attorney's Office with the Planning Commission and Planning Department regarding legal actions; attends meetings and provides legal advice during meetings; researches and prepares proposed ordinances, resolutions, and other legislation.
• Advises City Departments, City Council, and City Boards and Commissions on a variety of legal matters including the legal implications of any action, inaction, or decision.
• Represents the City in assigned litigation cases; handles all aspects of assigned cases/claims including discovery, motion, and trial practices.
• Investigates claims by or against the City and recommends action to be taken; assists in or prepares cases for hearings; represents the municipality in hearings; prepares cases for trial; tries cases in court as necessary.
• Prepares, reviews, and examines contracts, agreements, briefs, bid protests, dispute resolutions, change orders, delay claims, ordinances and other legal documents for City departments; represents the City's interest in contract negotiation and carries out goals of such contracts.
• Assists in administering City programs such as the Mobilehome Rent Control program by researching, drafting, and reviewing related documents; serves as liaison with the public and City Council; attends hearings and provides legal advice during hearings.
• Assists in legislative development for the City including researching, reviewing, and preparing proposed ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other legislation.
• Prepares cases for administrative hearings and proceedings.
• Performs legal research and provides legal opinions for special projects for the Office of the City Attorney as assigned.
• Responds to citizen inquires regarding all types of legal issues including those concerning City business.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Legal principles, practices, and procedures of civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.
• General and public contract law.
• Methods and techniques of legal research.
• Duties, powers, and limitations of a city government.
• Legal principles and developments.
• Appellate practices.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Legal precedents and court decisions impacting assigned litigation area.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Public relations.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Define legal issues, collect and analyze information, and recommend action.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Read, understand, interpret, apply and explain codes, regulations and other written materials.
• Prepare clear and concise legal documents, including but not limited to, briefs, ordinances, resolutions, correspondence and supporting documents.
• Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinion.
• Negotiate with other parties.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/Training:

Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Jur