To apply for this position please visit our website at www.cityofventura.jobs before the November 15 deadline.
THE POSITION
Under general guidance, represents the City by providing a wide range of professional legal services, from routine to moderate complexity, in the areas of litigation, transactional or advisory legal services.
This position is designated as "at will," serving at the pleasure of the City Attorney, and subject to discharge without cause or right of appeal.
An eligibility list is being established to fill the full-time Ventura Water opportunity, as well as future full-time and part-time related vacancies.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Has prior municipal experience and a commitment to practicing public law.
- Possesses a strong background in water rights issues.
- Works collaboratively with a diverse population, including elected officials and City staff.
- Works well independently, and as part of a team.
- Facilitates solutions to complex and sensitive legal issues unique to local urban government.
- Considers the big picture and can quickly and decisively recommend creative solutions.
- Has excellent verbal and written communications skills.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Depending on assignment, duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Assistant City Attorney II:
An Assistant City Attorney II will be assigned to the transactional/advisory and/or the litigation section depending on the needs of the City Attorney’s Office.
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.
Ventura Water assignment:
Asserts, protects and defends the City's existing water rights. Investigates water rights issues related to existing City supplies as well as potential water rights the City may be entitled to by proposed development. Represents City before State and Federal agencies. Attends and presents testimony and argument on the City's behalf at hearings of other local and state agencies such as Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, United Water Conservation District, Casitas Municipal Water District, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Groundwater Sustainability agencies. Serves as primary legal advisor to the City's newly formed Water Commission. Reviews environmental documents to ensure compliance and provides comments as required. Assists in overseeing specialized outside counsel on water and wastewater issues. Assists Ventura Water with regulatory compliance issues by interpreting federal and state regulations, new legislation, and court decisions. Reviews and assists with negotiations and agreements regarding the City's State Water Entitlement. Reviews and assists with negotiations related to new and long standing agreements to ensure that they meet the current operating conditions and regulatory requirements. Reviews and negotiates existing and potential future extraterritorial water services agreements with property owners. Reviews and negotiates existing out of service area waste water contracts with other public agencies. Reviews and negotiates existing Water Service and Operations Agreements with mutual water companies and agencies. Reviews and assists with ordinances related to water and sewer rates, connection fees, development fees, etc. Reviews Proposition 218 and 26 pertaining to rate-making and fee adoption processes and procedures.
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.
Performs other related duties as 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, water or wastewater agency, or a private law firm that specializes in representing municipalities or other governmental bodies and/or specializes in governmental issues such as water or wastewater law, resource management, environmental law, Land Use and/or 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 water environmental or resource management with a private law firm or substantial litigation with a private firm on behalf of a public agency is desirable.