TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.CITYOFVENTURA.JOBS BEFORE THE MAY 12 DEADLINE.
Depending on assignment, duties may include but are not limited to the following:
An Assistant City Attorney II will be assigned to the litigation and/or the transactional/advisory section depending on the needs of the City Attorney’s Office.
Litigation Section: Represents the City in both state and federal courts. Provides assistance in civil litigation and performs criminal prosecutions for violations of the City’s Charter and Municipal Code. Prepares pleadings, including complaints, answers, demurrers, motions to strike, and motions for summary judgment. Conducts discovery, including written discovery, takes and defends depositions, issues subpoenas, and retains experts. Attends and argues at hearings. Handles criminal misdemeanor prosecutions from the initial filing decisions, prepares complaints, attends arraignments hearings, handles all aspects of trail preparation, including exhibits, briefs, motions in liminie, witness preparation, jury instructions, and special verdicts. Defends “Pitchess Motions” seeking peace office personnel records. Attends mediations and settlement conferences. Prepares and obtains inspection and abatement warrants. Tries cases, including both jury and bench trials. Performs appellate work, including preparation of briefs and oral arguments. Develops litigation strategies. Investigates claims against the City. Works as part of a litigation team that includes a supervising senior attorney, an Assistant City Attorney I/II and support staff.
Transactional/Advisory Section: Provides and renders legal advice to the City Council, members of City commissions, boards and committees and City staff on a wide range of municipal law issues including interpretation of the City Charter. Provides specific advice to all departments on request for public records and compliance with subpoenas. May recommend selection of and supervision on legal work assigned to outside counsel. May serve as liaison between outside legal counsel and the City Attorney's Office or other City officials on specialized legal matters. Researches legal issues and drafts and reviews opinions, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, contracts, leases, deeds and other legal documents. Approves the same as to form and legality. Matters handled range from routine to complex, and may vary based on experience, expertise and demonstrated proficiency. May attend meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission or other City commissions, boards or committees as Legal Counsel or on a project by project basis. Assists other attorneys on complex legal matters. Assists in the planning and administration of the City Attorney's office. May supervise secretarial/administrative staff. Provides guidance and/or supervision to lower level attorney and support staff as assigned. Works as part of a transactional team that includes Assistant City Attorney I/II’s and support staff. May serve as the assigned attorney to one or more City Departments and/or function areas.
Establishes and maintains a customer service orientation including providing responsive, helpful and technically accurate service. Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
Performs other related duties as required.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATES
License: Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license is required.
Certificate: Active membership in good standing with the California Bar Association is required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant City Attorney II: A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to graduation from an American Bar Association or California Bar Association accredited law school and three years of practice with a public agency or a private law firm that specializes in representing municipalities or other governmental bodies and/or specializes in governmental issues such as Land Use and CEQA OR three years of practice in civil or criminal prosecutions is required. Five years of experience is preferred. Prior municipal or public agency experience performing substantial litigation with a private firm on behalf of a public agency is desirable.