Chief Deputy City Attorney

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of municipal law, including the functions of California Charter law cities and their various departments.
Pertinent, local, state, and federal laws, codes, statutes, and constitutional provisions affecting municipal operations.
Effective public speaking techniques.
Principles, methods, and techniques of legal research and investigation.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Conduct of hearings in court and administrative proceedings.
Familiarity with public personnel and employment law and employee disciplinary proceedings.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:
Perform professional legal research.
Appear and try civil and criminal cases in both State and Federal Courts.
Analyze and apply legal principles to complex problems.
Develop strategy and tactics for complex litigation matters.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinion.
Define legal issues, collect and analyze information, and recommend action.
Effectively represent the City and the City Attorney's Office to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
Maintain confidentiality.
Work collaboratively and independently.
Relate effectively to those contacted in the course of work, being tactful and courteous.
Distinguish between legal and policy matters.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and
database applications.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
A Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association or California State accredited school of law.
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience, with three years of which must have been in California in an area of law applicable to municipal government operations.

License or Certificate:
Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Possession of an appropriate California Driver license.

Special Requirements:
Incumbent will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interest under the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Must be willing and able to work the hours necessary to accomplish the job requirements, including working irregular hours, attend evening meetings, and travel to attend court, classes, meetings, and/or seminars, as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in an office and/or courtroom environment; occasional work outside as necessitated by research with occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals; and frequent contact with other staff and the public.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility in an office setting; to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; to hear in the normal range with or without correction; to see in the normal range with or without correction; and frequent use of office equipment, including computer, word processing and spreadsheet programs, calculator, telephone, copiers, and FAX.