DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY I/II or SENIOR DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY - PUBLIC SAFETY/HR DIVISION

City of Riverside • Riverside, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position Deputy City Attorney I/II or Senior Deputy City Attorney to fill one (1) vacancy in the Public Safety/HR Division. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months. This job posting may be closed without prior notice. The Public Safety/HR Division of the City Attorney's Office strives to improve the quality of life in the City of Riverside by creating a more livable and vibrant community, where residents can enjoy a better quality of life. For this position, experience with criminal law, receiverships, municipal code violations, nuisance abatements, homelessness, Pitchess motions, an understanding of the Peace Officer and Fire Fighter’s Bill of Rights, and labor and employment law (including FEHA, ADA, FMLA/CFRA, and FLSA), workplace investigations, labor arbitrations and grievance handling is highly desirable but not required. An individual that is self-motivated, reacts well to change, and can adjust to a fast-paced legal environment is desired. The City of Riverside is a Charter city. The City Attorney's Office is a fast-paced and exciting environment where attorneys provide comprehensive legal services to the agency and often deal with novel legal issues. Dedication to public service, a strong work ethic, solid analytical skills, creativity, flexibility, judgment, and strong emotional intelligence are essential. The successful candidate will be perceptive, confident and a team-player who is willing to learn new areas. As an agency and as an office, we are committed to recognizing the value that each member of the team brings based on their unique perspective and experiences. We are a full-service law firm, that represents and defends all City departments, including Human Resources, City Clerk, City Manager, Police, Fire, Public Utilities, Public Works, Airport, General Services, Library, Museum, Community and Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Information Technology. We have a dedicated team of civil trial lawyers who handle litigation in-house.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the State Bar of California.
• Active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Completed Employment Application
• Supplemental Questionnaire
• Cover Letter that highlights why you are the ideal candidate
• Resume
• Three (3) Professional References
• A Recent Legal Writing Sample or Deposition/Trial Transcript

Nice To Haves

• Experience with criminal law, receiverships, municipal code violations, nuisance abatements, homelessness, Pitchess motions, an understanding of the Peace Officer and Fire Fighter’s Bill of Rights, and labor and employment law (including FEHA, ADA, FMLA/CFRA, and FLSA), workplace investigations, labor arbitrations and grievance handling is highly desirable but not required.
• Self-motivated, reacts well to change, and can adjust to a fast-paced legal environment.
• Dedication to public service, a strong work ethic, solid analytical skills, creativity, flexibility, judgment, and strong emotional intelligence are essential.
• Perceptive, confident and a team-player who is willing to learn new areas.
• Passionate about the law, possess current legal experience, have a positive work ethic, and possess the ability to work independently and harmoniously as a member of a team in a fast-paced legal environment.
• Prior legal practice or internship experience in California public sector or labor/employment law practice preferred.
• Practical knowledge and experience with the Peace Officer Procedural Bill of Rights (POBR) and Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights (FFBOR).
• Experience representing public agencies in Skelly hearings, administrative appeals, labor arbitrations, or Pitchess motion practice.
• Demonstrated experience in California public sector employment law, labor relations (Meyers-Milias-Brown Act / PERB), and personnel administration.
• Strong research, legal writing, oral advocacy, and emotional intelligence skills.
• Demonstrated experience handling complex administrative, labor, or litigation matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level legal counsel to city management regarding high-risk personnel matters, labor strategy, and complex policy decisions.
• Advise executive management on sensitive internal affairs investigations, complex labor negotiations, and agency-wide POBR/FFBOR compliance matters.
• Handle the most complex and high-exposure matters, representing the City in Civil Service Commission appeals, Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) unfair practice charges, and multi-day labor arbitrations.
• Draft and negotiate executive employment agreements, complex settlement frameworks, and comprehensive municipal ordinances.
• Provide formal mentorship, work guidance, and direction to Deputy City Attorney I and II positions.
• Advise police and fire executive management on internal affairs investigations, POBR/FFBOR procedural compliance, and respond to Pitchess motions.
• Confer with and render direct legal counsel to departments and HR staff on policy enforcement, employee disciplinary actions, workplace accommodations (ADA/FEHA), leaves of absence, and POBR/FFBOR compliance.
• Independently prepare and represent the City in litigation, labor arbitrations, Skelly hearings, labor grievances, and Pitchess motion hearings.
• Investigate and defend administrative charges before the CRD/EEOC and complex employee grievances to reduce litigation exposure.
• Draft and review specialized agreements, including employment agreements, labor MOUs, and settlement agreements.
• Cross-train and assist in guiding legal and departmental staff in specific legal procedures.
• Perform legal research and prepare written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions.
• Prepare, draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents, agreements and instruments; offer opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agent or agency.
• Investigate claims and complaints against the City and take or recommend appropriate action.
• Assist with civil litigation, administrative disciplinary hearings, and drafting responses to Pitchess motions.
• Review and approve agreements and various other official documents.
• Represent the City Attorney at various City Council committees, board and commission meetings and in court as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The City Attorney's Office has several options to provide employees with some flexibility to promote work-life balance.
• Currently, most employees are allowed to telecommute up to two (2) days per week.
• The City Attorney's Office offers a flexible work schedule.
• Employees can work a 9/80 schedule in which employees can work nine (9) hour days in order to have alternating Fridays off or a 4/10 schedule in which employees can work ten (10) hour days and have Fridays off.
• The City Attorney's Office also allows employees to select their work schedule start time in 15-minute intervals between 6:00 am to 9:30 am.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level