• Job Description

  Req#: 4941794
  The City Attorney's Office has one vacancy for a municipal law attorney with experience in CEQA, land use, and housing matters to be filled at either the Deputy City Attorney II or Deputy City Attorney III level, based on the evaluation of candidate's qualifications by the City Attorney. If hired as Deputy City Attorney II, movement to Deputy City Attorney III is neither implied nor guaranteed.
  
  Annual Salary Range
  Deputy City Attorney II: $145,163.98 - $183,266.20
  Deputy City Attorney III: $169,867.88 - $206,475.10 (Salary range will increase to $178, 361.30 - $216,798.92 effective 7/11/25)
  
  Please Note: (1) This is an unclassified at-will position. (2) Final candidates must pass a thorough criminal background investigation and pre-employment physical prior to starting employment. (3) This announcement does not constitute an expressed or implied employment contract.
  
  Description
  The Deputy City Attorney II/III will perform legal work as a member of the Advisory Division of the Office of the City Attorney. It is anticipated that this position will primarily serve as a legal advisor to specific City departments, officials, and employees.
  
  The Ideal Candidate
  The ideal candidate will have an essential understanding of municipal law, constitutional law, civil liability, administrative law and procedures, and public entity laws/issues. The candidate will independently perform legal research using computer research and other legal sources, and work collaboratively and proactively with City staff to identify and mitigate risks, including assisting in the development of best practices, policies, and training materials. An energetic problem-solver who works well in a collegial, team-oriented environment and can be available as needed to meet client demands will be well suited to the position. Experience in either a governmental agency or in private practice that involves representation of a governmental agency is preferred.
  
  Essential Functions
  The position will primarily focus on advising the Development Services Department, which includes Building, Planning, and Land Development Engineering divisions, on CEQA and land use matters and the Housing and Homeless Services Department on housing matters. Functions may additionally include, but are not limited to, advising staff in various municipal departments, performing legal research on all aspects of local government; interpreting and applying laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities; preparing ordinances, resolutions, deeds, permits, contracts, leases, memoranda, and other legal documents; representing the City in administrative appeal hearings; performing risk management analysis/tasks; staffing City Council meetings and other board or commission meetings; appearing and presenting on behalf of the City at community forums; designing and implementing training programs for City employees; and assisting City staff and management in the coordination and negotiation of a variety of transactional matters related to local government services and projects. The City reserves the right to modify the job duties.
  
  
  Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school AND:
  
  Deputy City Attorney II: A minimum of three years of responsible experience as a practicing attorney, either in a governmental agency or in private practice involving representation of governmental agencies pertaining to public law advisory matters.
  
  Deputy City Attorney III: A minimum of seven years of responsible experience as a practicing attorney, either in a governmental agency or in a private practice involving representation of governmental agencies pertaining to public law advisory matters.
  
  A qualified candidate must also be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  Knowledge of: legal principles, legal research, legal advocacy, and basic civil litigation techniques; State and Federal statutory and case law applicable to public entities in California; rules and procedures for California and Federal courts; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; modern office methods, procedures, computer equipment, and computer software applicable to legal assignments such as legal research platforms, word processing, virtual meeting software, and email. Ability to: read, understand, interpret and communicate legal issues to both attorneys and lay people; thoroughly analyze and research legal issues and take all facts and findings into consideration; apply legal principles to practical situations in the context of business, economic, social and political considerations; attend and present in court, administrative proceedings, and in community settings; interpret and apply cases, statutes, regulations, and legal principles to government policies and practices; effectively apply, in a transactional and advisory context, existing and/or extrapolated law to the variety of legal issues facing the City; negotiate and write complex legal agreements, regulatory schemes, or public policy statements; consistently provide clear and sound legal advice to City departments; communicate effectively in writing, in a clear, concise, logical, and thorough manner when preparing opinions, memoranda, briefs, reports, correspondence, or other written communications of a legal nature; communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in stressful situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy; work multiple matters simultaneously and be service-oriented; use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and operate standard office equipment.
  
  Physical Demands and Working Conditions
  On a continuous basis, sit at a desk, walk and/or stand for varying periods of time, and use hands and fingers to grasp tools. Typical tools used are pencil, pen, telephone, calculator, computer, printer, and fax machine which require motor skills sufficient to repetitively twist head, upper body, arms, grasp, write, keyboard, and handle papers. Hearing and speech acuity sufficient to communicate in person and by means of a telephone. Ability to attend and present in court and in community settings. Visual acuity sufficient to read alphabetical and numerical data from desk and other nearby areas. Work is mostly performed within an even-floored, carpeted, and air-conditioned building environment with fluorescent lighting and a moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office-to-office and driving to offsite locations. There is occasional to routine exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices or meetings and offsite locations. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquiries.
  Recruitment No. 25241105LU
  To be considered, applicants must submit an online City Application with Supplemental Questionnaire, cover letter and resume by 12:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process as noted below. All notices will be sent via e-mail.

• About the company

  Welcome to Chula Vista. Chula Vista means “beautiful view” and there is more to see and do here than you can imagine! Visit Chula Vista for the best in outdoor recreation, family activities, and urban amenities.

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