Assistant City Attorney

Description

This recruitment is open until filled.

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Department is seeking a well-qualified, highly motivated Assistant City Attorney to provide sound and ethical legal advice. The ideal candidate will possess both a broad base of knowledge and experience advising on Public Sector labor (employment) law and employee relations matters as well as a deep understanding of Public Safety laws and processes.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Work closely with the Human Resources Department to handle employment and labor law issues.

• Litigate employment and labor law issues in administrative tribunals and in state and federal courts.

• Thoroughly research and analyze problems, evaluate risks, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.

• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically all while exercising sound and independent judgment that follows the general policies, guidelines and legal parameters of federal and state laws, regulations, and constitutional provisions applicable to municipalities.

PAYROLL TITLE: Assistant City Attorney

Under general direction, provides a wide range of professional legal services to all City departments and divisions, City Council and various boards, commissions, committees; may assist in coordinating the work of contract attorneys on complex or specialized matters; performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Assistant City Attorney is the advanced journey level in the professional legal series. This class is distinguished from the next lower class of Deputy City Attorney II by the level of difficulty and complexity of responsibilities performed. An incumbent in this class is expected to frequently use a high degree of independent judgment and is expected to represent the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/ EXERCISED:

General direction is provided by the City Attorney. The Assistant City Attorney may exercise technical or functional supervision over Deputy City Attorneys, paralegals and clerical staff.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The normal work week is Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.

• 6:00 p.m., and alternating Fridays, 8:00 a.m.

• 5:00 p.m. This position may be required to be available to work additional hours as needed to respond to workload needs. This position is not eligible for overtime pay.

Essential Functions

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Provides practical and proactive legal advice to all departments on labor and employment related matters including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, employee discipline and performance management, labor relations, employee benefits, employee accommodations and recruitment.

• Defends the City and City management in employment litigation matters before administrative tribunals and in state and federal court and oversees employment cases handled by outside counsel.

• Writes position papers in response to charges filed with the Department of Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

• Represents the City in arbitration and grievance matters derived from discipline and labor issues and any ensuing writ litigation in state court.

• Supports HR led employment investigations and oversees investigations conducted by outside counsel.

• Represents and litigates workplace violence restraining orders and gun violence restraining orders.

• Works closely with the Police Department providing advice on operational and personnel matters and provides representation in connection with Pitchess motions and other court matters.

• Helps oversee public liability litigation and the prosecution of misdemeanor violations of City ordinances.

• Attends meetings of boards, commissions and committees as may be required; renders legal advice as requested.

• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City, recommends action to be take.

• Represents the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings when necessary.

• Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.

Minimum Qualifications

The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

Education

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Experience:

• The equivalent of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of employment and labor law or related experience.

Licensing, Certification and Other Requirements:

• Membership in the State Bar of California.

• Additional certifications, licenses, endorsements and training may be required, depending on assignment. You may be required to submit documented proof of these requirements.

• Must be able to communicate in English effectively both orally and in writing

General Information

UNION MEMBERSHIP:

Regular full-time and part-time positions in this classification within the City Attorney's Office are unrepresented and follow Resolution 15, 622.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.

• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.

• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, regular, and temporary assignments. There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy in the City Attorney's Office.

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough background investigation

NOTE:

For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12 month probationary period.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodation for the disabled. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT: On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Ashley Costello at ashley.costello@oxonard.org or (805) 200-5445.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Retirement Contributions:

New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Unrepresented Mid-Managers Vacation/Annual Accrual Rates:

Full time employees accrue annual leave at a rate of 6.24-11.78 hours per bi-weekly pay period based on years of service.

Administrative Leave:

Unrepresented Mid-Management employees are not compensated for overtime worked however at the start of each fiscal year, the department director may authorize administrative leave time of 40 hours.

Deferred Compensation:

Employees are permitted to participate in the City's section 457 deferred compensation plan. Employees have the option to convert up to eighty (80) hours of accrued vacation or annual leave for deposit into the section 457 deferred compensation plan each year.

Bilingual Pay:

A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $20.00 bi-weekly to the extent the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee.

Health and Dental:

The City contributes $864.34 monthly toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $66.80 monthly toward dental insurance premiums. For employees who waive medical, the City will contribute $764.34 monthly. Unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee.

Life Insurance:

City employees receive Basic Life Coverage and have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Tuition Reimbursement:

Full-time employees are eligible for 75% reimbursement for work related coursework up to a maximum of $5000.

Holidays:

The City observes 12 holidays per year.