CHIEF ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY

City of Huntington Beach, CA • Huntington Beach, CA

251d

About The Position

The City of Huntington Beach offers a truly unique opportunity for experienced California municipal attorneys. As one of the few cities with an elected City Attorney, the Chief Assistant serves an oversized role, with a great deal of autonomy and prestige but without the negative aspects of the top spot. Additionally, the next Chief Assistant will have the opportunity to be part of a City that is leading the way in its efforts to protect its local control. The Chief Assistant City Attorney supervises and oversees the operations of the City Attorney's Office; manages the day-to-day activities, attorneys, and support staff. This classification is designated as 'at will' which excludes it from the competitive service of the city and the City's Classification Plan.

Requirements

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in city or related government law, including trial experience
• Two years of administrative or supervisory responsibility
• Active membership in the State Bar of California
• Valid California Driver's License

Responsibilities

• Assists the City Attorney in administering the city's legal functions
• Serves as senior counsel in handling serious, controversial and complex litigation and in providing advice and counsel to and on behalf of the City
• Supervises professional and support staff; provides and coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements disciplinary actions and recommends termination procedures
• Oversees all important litigation matters that encompass a variety of complex legal issues, including monitoring all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies
• Analyzes and researches legal problems; prepares opinions; confers with and advises City officials, staff, departments, advisory bodies and commissions on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties and functions and obligations
• Monitors proposed legislation and court decisions related to municipal law and activities; evaluates the impact to City operations
• Implements cost control procedures for outside counsel
• Performs the duties of the City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney
• Maintains effective and extensive professional relationships with representatives of other local, state and federal agencies
• Performs other such legal duties consistent with the City Charter as may be required of him/her by the City Council

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees