Deputy City Attorney I/II

City of Oxnard•Oxnard, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Office has an opening for a Municipal Attorney at the Deputy City Attorney (I-II) level. The position entails a wide variety of municipal legal services, including the prosecution of municipal code violations, representing the City at administrative hearings and civil matters in Ventura Superior Court, advising the City departments, researching and drafting policies and ordinances, and reviewing and revising contracts. The ideal candidate should have excellent legal writing, research, analysis, and communication skills. The Deputy City Attorney I is the entry-level class in the professional legal series. Attorneys in this class are generally assigned to more routine professional legal tasks under the direct supervision of a Deputy IV or Assistant City Attorney. The Deputy City Attorney II is the apprentice-level class in the professional legal series. Attorneys in this class are generally assigned routine professional legal tasks of increasing complexity under the supervision of a Deputy IV or Assistant City Attorney. Level II requires that the incumbent perform the more difficult and complex professional legal tasks involving a wide variety of municipal legal subjects with only occasional instruction or assistance. General direction is provided by the City Attorney. Technical or functional supervision may be received from higher-level Attorneys. Technical or functional supervision may be provided to legal clerical staff.

Requirements

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
No experience required (for Deputy City Attorney I).
Two (2) years of municipal law or general civil litigation experience required (for Deputy City Attorney II).
Membership in the State Bar of California.
Possession of a valid and unrestricted Class C driver's license.
Must be able to speak and understand English to effectively communicate with fellow employees, customers, and vendors.
Proficiency and comfort with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Effective communication skills.
Development of effective working relationships.
Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan.
Must serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned.

Nice To Haves

Litigation experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Represents the City in judicial and administrative hearings, including citation appeals, administrative writs, traditional writs, law and motion proceedings, mediation and settlement conferences, and other similar procedures.
Performs legal research and prepares professional opinions on various legal issues for the City, departments, divisions, the City Council, and various boards and organizations.
Initiates and prosecutes misdemeanor violations of City ordinances and criminal appeals; and represents the City in civil litigation, including requesting and responding to discovery, motion practice, and taking and defending depositions.
Assist with general nuisance and property nuisance issues (Code Compliance issues), rent stabilization, and tenant protections.
Performs legal research and prepares professional opinions on various legal issues for the City, departments, divisions, the City Council, and various boards and organizations.
Prepares, drafts, and reviews legal opinions, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts, bid documents, requests for proposals or qualifications, deeds, leases and other legal documents.
Attends City Council, City Commission, and committee meetings as required; acts in an advisory capacity on legal matters as requested.
Works closely with City administrators, elected officials, and agency and department staff to ensure compliance with laws and City policies.
Reviews and writes agenda reports for City legislative bodies.
Exercises sound judgment and clearly explains legal advice to attorneys and lay people to defend legal analyses.
Performs other duties as assigned.