Assistant City Attorney (Legislative Services & Community Protection Division)

San Diego City Attorney's Office•San Diego, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The San Diego City Attorney's Office is seeking an Assistant City Attorney for the Legislative Services & Community Protection Division. This division provides legal support to the City Council and independent City departments, serving as the liaison for Council Offices and providing legal advice during Council meetings. It also acts as general counsel for the Housing Authority and advises various departments and offices, including the City Clerk, Independent Budget Analyst, City Auditor, Office of Government Affairs, Your Safe Place – the Family Justice Center, the Office of Boards and Commissions, Redistricting Commission, and the City’s California Public Records Act administration. The Assistant City Attorney reviews and edits ordinances and legal memoranda, may act for the City Attorney in her absence, sits at the dais with City Council to provide legal advice, and performs other related duties. Additionally, the Division houses the community protection work of the City Attorney’s Office, civilly prosecuting cases to hold accountable those who commit crimes against public health and safety and violate local and state laws. This includes the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement and the Housing Protection and Civil Code Enforcement Unit (HPU), which addresses code violations, substandard housing, unfair business practices, and violations of tenant protection ordinances. The position reports directly to the City Attorney and is a member of the City Attorney’s Executive Team.

Requirements

Active member in good standing with the State Bar of California
Experience in municipal law
Experience working with government officials
Licensed to practice law in the State of California
Licensed to practice law or willing to obtain a license in the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Strong analytical, research, writing, and oral presentation skills
Practical problem-solver and team player
Good time management skills
Effective communication and conflict resolution skills
Ten or more years of experience as a licensed attorney
Proven managerial experience
Some civil litigation experience
Strong references
Experience working with municipalities and elected officials
Ability to travel to locations outside the office for legal proceedings or meetings
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and personal vehicle, or the ability to travel to various locations throughout the City in a timely manner
Proof of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States
Reference checks
Fingerprint checks
Additional screening processes such as a background investigation

Responsibilities

Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Division
Supervising, training, and mentoring Division chiefs, deputy city attorneys, and the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement team
Recruiting and hiring deputy city attorneys and staff
Providing procedural and strategic guidance and oversight to the Division chiefs and supervisors
Communicating with Mayor, Councilmembers, and City leadership and serving as the primary contact for Councilmembers and their staff
Supporting the Council President’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, and deputy city attorneys with Council-related matters
Overseeing weekly docket meetings and closed session docketing to review items on the City Council agenda
Sitting with the City Council during open session meetings
Drafting and implementing policies and procedures for the Division
Assigning, monitoring, and evaluating legal service requests from Council offices and departments covered by the Division
Assisting with media responses
Attending weekly Executive Team meetings
Performing other duties as assigned
Reviews and edits all ordinances and legal memoranda issued by the Division
May act for the City Attorney in her absence
Sits at the dais with City Council to provide legal advice
Assists in developing training programs
Leads or co-leads division-wide meetings
Civilly prosecuting cases on behalf of the People of the State of California to hold accountable those who commit crimes against public health and safety and who violate other local and state laws

Benefits

Participation in the City's Flexible Benefits Plan, which offers several optional benefit plans or a taxable cash option
$50,000 in City-paid life insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid annual leave (paid time off) accruing at 22 days per year for the 1st through 15th year of service
San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (SDCERS) defined benefit (pension) plan
Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans (401(k)/457(b))
Retiree Medical Trust Plan
Holidays – Eleven paid holidays are provided annually and one Floating Holiday in a fiscal year
Long-Term Disability Income Plan
Free MTS transit pass
City-awarded discretionary leave (paid time off)
80 hours of paid Management Administrative Leave
Up to 8 weeks of paid Parental Leave
Paid time off for jury duty
Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave each fiscal year
Employee Assistance Program