Deputy City Attorney (Civil Advisory Division, Public Safety 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 Deputy City Attorney for the Civil Advisory Division’s Public Safety Unit. The office serves as chief legal counsel to City elected officials and operational departments, handles civil litigation involving the City, and prosecutes violations of local and state laws. It employs more than 190 lawyers and approximately 230 support staff. The position advises the Fire-Rescue Department on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) matters, including statutory and constitutional law, regulatory and medical privacy compliance, Municipal Code amendments, statutory interpretation, interagency agreements, public records requests and subpoenas, contracts and procurement, grant funding, technology use under the TRUST Ordinance, labor and employment, and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Acts. The Public Safety Unit also advises the Police Department, Fire-Rescue Department (including Lifeguards), Office of Emergency Services, and Special Events & Filming Department. The Deputy City Attorney works closely with Fire-Rescue and City management and may receive other EMS-related assignments from the City Council or Mayor’s Office. The role is based at the City Attorney’s Office and may require regular office hours or meetings at Fire-Rescue. The position is funded by the EMS Fund and depends on continued availability of funding. Deputies must become familiar with City operations, proactively identify legal issues, and adjust workload as staff priorities change. The role may require travel within the City for legal proceedings or meetings. The City generally supports remote teleworking. A hybrid schedule combining in-office and remote work may be available after the introductory and probationary period. The successful candidate’s annual salary is based on the Deputy City Attorney salary table and qualifications and relevant legal experience. Scheduled general wage increases are 3.5% effective July 1, 2027, 2% effective July 1, 2028, and 2% effective January 1, 2029. The City offers a comprehensive benefits package. Employment offers are conditional on applicable screening processes, which may include proof of citizenship or legal right to work, reference checks, fingerprint checks, and a background investigation. Applicants must submit an employment application with supplemental questions, a cover letter and resume, and an original legal writing sample of no more than five pages. The City supports diversity and inclusion and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Requirements

Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
At least three years of municipal law or other public law experience.
Strong analytical, research, writing, and oral presentation skills.
Practical problem-solving ability and a team-oriented approach.
Good time-management skills.
Effective communication and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to travel to locations throughout the City in a timely manner, using a valid California Class C driver’s license and personal vehicle or another means of travel.
Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in team and self-paced settings and managing and prioritizing a heavy workload.
Knowledge of general employment and labor laws.
Knowledge of Community Paramedicine and Resource Access Programs (RAP).
Knowledge of HIPAA policies, investigations, records requests, and compliance, including business associate agreements.
General knowledge of California Health and Safety Code provisions regulating EMS agencies.
Knowledge of quality assurance and improvement related to patient care in an EMS setting.
Knowledge of City employee organization MOUs, Civil Service, and Personnel Rules.
Knowledge of the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Acts.
Knowledge of competitive bidding and City procurement requirements, including those related to ambulance services and medical billing.
Knowledge of EMS revenue sources and reimbursement programs.
Knowledge of grants and grant assurances.
Knowledge of data-sharing agreements.
Experience or skills in litigation or other courtroom work.

Responsibilities

Advise the Fire-Rescue Department on EMS-related legal matters, including statutory and constitutional law and regulatory compliance.
Advise on medical privacy compliance, HIPAA matters, Municipal Code amendments, statutory interpretation, and interagency agreements.
Advise on public records requests and subpoenas, contracting and procurement, grant funding, technology use under the TRUST Ordinance, labor and employment, and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Acts.
Draft contracts, resolutions, and ordinances.
Review department policies, procedures, Council Policies, and City administrative regulations.
Conduct legal research and analysis and prepare legal correspondence, memoranda, and opinions.
Work closely with City staff on programs and projects, and with litigation counsel on certain matters.
Advise on responses to California Public Records Act requests or subpoenas.
Address legal questions at City Council and Committee meetings and, as needed, appear at board and commission hearings, administrative hearings, or court hearings.
Become familiar with City operations to proactively identify and address legal issues.
Manage and adjust workload to accommodate changing needs and priorities of City staff.
Work closely with Fire-Rescue and City management; perform other duties and EMS-related assignments as assigned.
Travel to locations outside the office for legal proceedings or meetings.

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 for the first through fifteenth year of service.
San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System defined benefit pension plan, subject to eligibility status.
Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans (401(k)/457(b)).
Post-Employment Health Reimbursement Account (PEHRA).
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 work schedule after the introductory and probationary period.