Chief Deputy City Attorney (Civil Advisory Division, Gun Violence Reduction Unit)

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

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The San Diego City Attorney’s Office is recruiting a Chief Deputy City Attorney for the Civil Advisory Division’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit (GVRU). The Office provides legal counsel to City officials and departments, prosecutes and defends civil cases involving the City, and prosecutes violations of local and state laws. The GVRU manages the City’s Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) program, petitions to destroy firearms, and the San Diego Countywide Gun Relinquishment Task Force. It represents and trains the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), and may address constitutional issues, Public Records Act requests, media inquiries, and other gun-violence-related legal matters. The Unit also provides technical assistance to organizations on GVRO administration and implementation. The Chief Deputy oversees Unit operations, coordinates with SDPD, and directly supervises Unit attorneys and a program manager whose duties include grant management and data collection. Supervisory responsibilities include holding and attending regular meetings, monitoring workloads and performance, preparing performance evaluations, submitting quarterly Unit reports, and communicating necessary information to the Assistant City Attorney. The Chief Deputy also carries a GVRO and firearms-petition caseload, appears in court, assists with search-warrant and on-call duties, supports the Countywide Gun Relinquishment Task Force as needed, serves as the primary contact for external training and technical-assistance requests, and periodically represents the Office at community and stakeholder events. The role reports to Assistant City Attorney Michelle Garland. The primary work location is 9275 Sky Park Court, Suite 200, San Diego, California; temporary workspace is available at Civic Center Plaza when assigned to appear in court. The position may allow a hybrid schedule after the introductory and probationary period. The Chief Deputy must maintain a rotating after-hours on-call schedule and be able to travel to legal proceedings and meetings throughout the City.

Requirements

Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
At least three years of municipal law or other public law experience in California.
Strong analytical, research, writing, and oral presentation skills.
Practical problem-solving ability and ability to work as a team player.
Good time-management skills and effective communication and conflict-resolution skills.
Prior civil or criminal trial, motion, or other courtroom advocacy experience.
Ability to maintain a rotating, after-hours on-call schedule for search-warrant review or other emergency matters.
Ability to travel to locations outside the office for legal proceedings or meetings; requires a valid California Class C driver’s license and personal vehicle, or the ability to travel throughout the City in a timely manner.

Nice To Haves

Strong leadership skills.
Strong courtroom and advocacy skills.
Experience working with municipalities or partner law enforcement agencies.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local firearms regulations.
Experience or understanding of filing civil petitions such as GVROs, other restraining orders, petitions to destroy firearms, other civil proceedings, or appellate work.
Comfort communicating with law enforcement officers, respondents, witnesses, victims, judges, and opposing counsel.
Knowledge of search-warrant law, including drafting and reviewing search warrants.

Responsibilities

Oversee all Gun Violence Reduction Unit operations and coordinate with the San Diego Police Department.
Directly supervise Unit attorneys and a program manager; monitor workloads and performance and draft performance evaluations.
Hold and attend regular meetings, submit quarterly Unit reports, and communicate necessary information to the Assistant City Attorney.
Carry a caseload involving Gun Violence Restraining Orders and firearms petitions, and appear in court.
Represent SDPD during the GVRO petition process and represent the City in GVRO appellate cases.
Collaborate with SDPD to resolve GVROs and other firearm-related issues, answer legal questions, participate in client meetings, and provide training.
Assist with search-warrant and on-call duties, including reviewing and drafting search warrants for seizure of firearms and related prohibited items.
Handle after-hours inquiries related to GVROs and search warrants.
Assist the San Diego Countywide Gun Relinquishment Task Force as needed.
Serve as the primary contact for external agencies’ training and technical-assistance requests.
Attend community and stakeholder meetings and events, providing information and education about the Unit as appropriate.
Review and draft suggested SDPD and City Attorney policies and procedures related to restraining orders.
Use practical problem-solving and initiative to improve the City’s gun violence reduction program.
Work cooperatively as part of a team while completing assignments autonomously, and maintain high ethical standards.

Benefits

City Flexible Benefits Plan, with optional benefit plans or a taxable cash option.
$50,000 in City-paid life insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Paid annual leave accruing at 22 days per year during the first through fifteenth years of service.
San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan.
Voluntary 401(k)/457(b) defined-contribution plans.
Post-Employment Health Reimbursement Account.
Eleven paid holidays annually and one floating holiday per fiscal year.
Long-Term Disability Income Plan.
Free MTS transit pass.
City-awarded discretionary paid leave.
Up to eight 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.
Potential hybrid schedule after the introductory and probationary period.
Scheduled general wage increases for Deputy City Attorneys: 3.5% effective July 1, 2027; 2% effective July 1, 2028; and 2% effective January 1, 2029.