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Posted March 03, 2024

Deputy City Attorney III

City of Compton
Compton, CA Full Time
Reference: CityofCompton4412471

Under general supervision, provides a wide range of advanced professional legal services related to municipal government operations; conducts legal...

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Under general supervision, provides a wide range of advanced professional legal services related to municipal government operations; conducts legal research, prepares opinions, memoranda, administrative rules and regulations and other legal documents; advises City Council, City departments, boards and commissions; represents the City in a variety of litigation that involves administrative hearings, trial and appellate work; provides staff assistance to the City Attorney; and performs other related duties.
Works under the general supervision of the Chief Deputy City Attorney; may exercise supervision over Deputy City Attorneys and legal support staff.

This is the advanced journey-level classification for attorneys. Incumbents perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties requiring the frequent use of high degree of independent judgment, and may direct the work of lower-level attorneys. This class is distinguished from the full journey-level class (Deputy City Attorney II) by the performance of the most difficult, complex and responsible types of duties as a practicing attorney.
The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
  • Performs legal research and prepares written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions.
  • Represents the City Attorney at various City Council, board and commission meetings and in court as needed.
  • Confers with, and renders assistance to department heads in establishing departmental policies by applying legal point and procedures; recommends changes to policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements.
  • Prepares, drafts and reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents, agreements and instruments; offers opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agent or agency.
  • Investigates claims and complaints against the City and takes or recommends appropriate action.
  • Assists in or prepares cases for hearings, trials and other judicial proceedings; represents the City in such proceedings; prosecutes misdemeanor violations of City ordinances.
  • Prepares and conducts all phases of civil litigation; prepares pleadings; represents the City in both judge and jury trials; prepares trial and appellate briefs; maintains litigation docketing and calendar.
  • Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
  • Reviews and approves certificates of insurance, off-site improvement agreements, grant deeds and various other documents
  • Advises Human Resources and other departments on employee discipline matters; prepares disciplinary documents; attends pre-disciplinary hearings as legal advisor; represents the City at employee appeals from discipline (City Personnel Board, arbitration, State of California Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) and/or superior court).
  • As assigned, provides leadership and works with subordinate attorneys to develop and retain highly competent staff through selection, compensation, training and management practices that support the Citys mission and values.
  • As assigned, prepares, reviews and approves the formal performance evaluation of department staff, and coaches staff for improvement and development; initiates disciplinary action up to and including dismissal as required to correct behavior.
  • Participates in continuing professional education program about areas of concern to the municipal law practitioner, as well as management practices, employment law and other areas of interest.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required.
Education and Experience:
Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association approved law school; AND four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a private law practice or government agency, including two (2) years of experience in municipal law; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:
  • Must possess a valid California Class C Drivers License.
  • Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Required Knowledge of:
  • City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
  • State and Federal laws, statutes, regulations, rules and codes regulating City government.
  • City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual, personnel policies and procedures, and Memoranda of Understanding.
  • Court system rules of civil and criminal procedures; rules of evidence; general tort, contract and constitution laws as related to government.
  • Legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional and administrative laws and procedures.
  • Methods of legal research.
  • Tort law and liability insurance litigation.
  • Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
  • Statutes and court decisions relating to civil rights and public labor law.
  • Established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
  • Ordinances, statutes and court decisions relating to municipal corporations.
  • Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
  • Personal computers and software applications including online legal research.
Required Skill in:
  • Conducting research on legal problems, making decisions based on findings and preparing sound legal opinions.
  • Representing the City in a wide variety of complex judicial and administrative proceedings.
  • Analyzing and preparing a wide variety of complex legal documents.
  • Preparing and presenting complex cases in court.
  • Scheduling assignments; planning, organizing and coordinating workflow.
  • Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
  • Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
  • Effective verbal and written communication.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, City departments, elected officials, outside agencies and the general public.
Physical Demands / Work Environment:
  • Work is performed indoors in an office setting.
  • Work requires frequent light lifting, sorting, filing, typing and on occasion climbing (up to 4 feet).
  • Moderate finger dexterity and near vision is required.
  • May be exposed to minor amounts of dust.
  • EXAMINATION

    The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.

    Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process.

    Phase one (1) is an oral examination (weighted 100%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. The oral examination may include graded simulation exercises, writing exercises, and oral presentations. A passing score for the oral exam is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via mail or e-mail.

    The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

    GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS

    The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.

    Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

    ELIGIBLE LISTS
    Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

    PLEASE NOTE:
    All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.

    Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

    EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
    A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

    EXAMINATION RECORDS
    All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

    VETERANS PREFERENCE
    In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.

    FRINGE BENEFITS
    The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.

This listing expired on Apr 02. Applications are no longer accepted.

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