Senior Assistant City Attorney - Employee Relations (Excepted) (CMM)

Provides responsible legal work of varying difficulty for the City Attorneys Office as part of the provision and supervision of all legal work for assigned departments; provides direction and counsel regarding legal matters with a specialization in employment, personnel, and labor matters within the City; represents the City in administrative and judicial proceedings; and coordinates assigned activities with City departments, City Council, various boards and commissions, and outside agencies.

• Assists with services and activities of the City Attorneys Office; participates in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities.
• Supports division programs and activities to ensure compliance with state, federal, and other regulatory agency rules, regulations, provisions, policies, and procedures.
• Performs legal research and interprets federal, state, county, and City charter, code, ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, court decisions, administrative law decisions, and other legal authority; prepares legal opinions.
• Conducts witness interviews and prepares pleadings, briefs, memoranda of points and authorities, writs, motions, and appeals in both civil and administrative cases.
• Provides legal advice to City officers and employees with a specialization in employment, personnel, and labor matters including, but not limited to, employee relations, labor relations, human resources policies and procedures, investigations, and related matters to prevent and minimize legal exposure; represents the City and its officers in personnel matters, including grievance procedures and hearings before the Personnel Board and other administrative agencies.
• Assists the City Council, department heads, and management by providing legal advice with a specialization in employment, personnel, and labor matters regarding legal matters, policy decisions, and personnel practices.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned departments and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive issues; attends meetings, conferences, and planning sessions to serve as the legal representative for City departments.
• Serves as staff on City Council meetings and boards and commissions; provides written and oral legal advice to City Council, members of boards and commissions, and City management and employees.
• Makes court appearances and represents the City, its officials, and its employees in litigation in state and federal courts, boards, administrative agencies, and commissions; prepares pleadings, discovery, briefs, motions, and other documents in preparation and trial of cases.
• Represents the City in mediation, arbitration, administrative hearings, and judicial proceedings.
• Prepares, drafts, and reviews a variety of complex legal documents, including contracts, agreements, ordinances, and resolutions.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan of assigned department activities; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; monitors work flow; and reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.
• Stays current with proposed and new legislation; analyzes, communicates, and provides advice and recommendations to the City Attorney and City staff; and reviews and updates rules and regulations necessary for municipal compliance with state and federal laws.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the City Attorney; and prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• May provide assistance in the development and administration of assigned annual budgets.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the practice of law with an emphasis on employment, personnel, and labor matters, including three (3) years of legal experience in or on behalf of municipal, county, or state government and one (1) year of experience in a supervisory or lead capacity. A Juris Doctor Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Experience and education must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

Knowledge of: Advanced legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, municipal, constitutional, and administrative law and procedures; organization and operating procedures of a municipal attorney's office; methods of legal research; ordinances, statutes, and court decisions relating to municipalities; established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; pertinent federal, state, and local public sector administration laws, codes, and regulations; employee relations; labor relations; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; program development and administration; municipal budgetary processes and controls; methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and applicable quantitative methods; principles and practices of public administration; business English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; legal writing; basic mathematical calculations, statistics, and statistical methods; research methods and techniques; report preparation; record management practices and procedures; effective customer service techniques; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment; and applications related to work.

Skill in: The use of a personal computer and business software applications, such as Microsoft Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Excel; the operation of modern office equipment; written, verbal, and interpersonal communication; and dealing effectively with employees and the public with tact and discretion.

Ability to: Perform and administer all phases of City legal work; select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff; recommend, implement, and evaluate goals, objectives, programs, projects, policies, and procedures; understand, interpret, and apply Citywide and departmental codes, policies, and procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; oversee and perform difficult and complex legal work; effectively apply legal knowledge and principles in legal proceedings; research and compile data on a variety of legal cases to resolve legal problems; prepare clear and concise legal documents; research, draft, review, and negotiate complex legal agreements, pleadings, contracts, and settlements; present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly and logically; participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets; research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques; maintain confidentiality of private or sensitive information; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; complete work assignments timely; prepare clear and concise correspondence and other written materials for targeted audiences; use sound judgement to analyze and propose solutions to problems; maintain appropriate, accurate, and effective recordkeeping; perform complex arithmetic and basic statistical calculations accurately; operate office equipment, including computer equipment and office software applications; communicate tactfully, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the public, and those contacted in the scope of work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be an active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.

Possession and retention of a valid California Class C Drivers License is a condition of continued employment in this job classification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the City Attorney and other management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over management, professional, technical, and clerical staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions: Work is generally performed in a standard office setting. Occasional travel to different sites is required.

Physical Conditions: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, twist, and walk; to lift and carry up to twenty (20) pounds; push and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including the use of a computer keyboard; and to utilize sight, hearing, speaking, reading, writing, and math ability to exchange information.