Salary : $86,144.66 - $136,427.62 Annually
Location : Oxnard 93030, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 1306/1308-CA-2506-JR
Department: CITY ATTORNEY
Opening Date: 06/30/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
This employment opportunity is open to all qualified candidates. It will be open until filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Office has an opening for a Municipal Litigator at the Deputy City Attorney (I-II) level. Admission to the State Bar of California and litigation experience is required. The position primarily involves the prosecution of municipal code violations and representing the City at administrative hearings and civil matters in Ventura Superior Court. The ideal candidate should have excellent legal writing, research, analysis, and communication skills. See below for additional information on the position.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Deputy City Attorney I is the entry-level class in the professional legal series. Attorneys in this class are generally assigned to more routine professional legal tasks under the direct supervision of a Deputy IV or Assistant City Attorney.

The Deputy City Attorney II is the apprentice-level class in the professional legal series. Attorneys in this class are generally assigned routine professional legal tasks of increasing complexity under the supervision of a Deputy IV or Assistant City Attorney. Level II requires that the incumbent perform the more difficult and complex professional legal tasks involving a wide variety of municipal legal subjects with only occasional instruction or assistance.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
General direction is provided by the City Attorney. Technical or functional supervision may be received from higher-level Attorneys. Technical or functional supervision may be provided to legal clerical staff.

WORK SCHEDULE: The normal work week is Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and alternating Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 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.

Deputy City Attorney levels I and II are expected to perform the following functions:

Prepare civil pleadings and motions; initiate and prosecute misdemeanor violations of City ordinances; represent the City in civil litigation, including requesting and responding to discovery, motion practice, and taking and defending depositions.
Performs legal research and prepares professional opinions on various legal issues for the City, departments, divisions, the City Council, and various boards and organizations.
Represents the City in judicial and administrative hearings, including citation appeals, administrative writs, traditional writs, affirmative litigation, and settlement conferences, and other similar actions.
Initiates and prosecutes misdemeanor violations of City ordinances and criminal appeals; and represents the City in civil litigation, including requesting and responding to discovery, motion practice, and taking and defending depositions.
Assist with general nuisance and property nuisance issues (Code Compliance issues), rent control, and tenant protections.
Prepares, drafts, and reviews legal opinions, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts, bid documents, requests for proposals or qualifications, deeds, leases and other legal documents.
Attends City Council, City Commission, and committee meetings as required; acts in an advisory capacity on legal matters as requested.
Works closely with City administrators, elected officials, and agency and department staff to ensure compliance with laws and City policies.
Reviews and writes agenda reports for City legislative bodies.
Exercises sound judgment and clearly explains legal advice to attorneys and lay people to defend legal analyses.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
The following are minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

Education :

Deputy City Attorney I & Deputy City Attorney II: a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Experience:

Deputy City Attorney I: No experience required
Deputy City Attorney II: Two (2) years of municipal law or general civil litigation experience required.

License, Certification, and Other Requirements:

Membership in the State Bar of California.
Possession of a valid and unrestricted Class C driver's license.
Must be able to speak and understand English to effectively communicate with fellow employees, customers, and vendors.

Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of - civil and criminal law, local laws, ordinances and regulations, as well as sources of legal reference; working knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research and investigation; judicial procedures and the rules of evidence; the pleading and practice of effective presentation of court cases.
Ability to - analyze legal documents and instruments; appraise and organize facts, and to effectively present evidence and other material in written or oral form; establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, City officials, fellow employees, and the public.

General Information
The selected candidate must pass a thorough background investigation.
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.

NOTE:

For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) 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.

City staff may be required to play an active role in the event of an emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.

The list of qualified candidates that is established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time and temporary assignments as vacancies arise.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
This position is considered at-will.

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
For questions, please contact: Jackie Ramosat jackie.ramos@oxnard.org
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 Executive Employees Vacation/Annual Accrual Rates:
Full time employees accrue annual leave at a rate of 7.16-12.08 hours per bi-weekly pay period based on years of service.

Administrative Leave:
Unrepresented Executive employees are not compensated for overtime worked however at the start of each fiscal year; the department director may authorize administrative leave time of 80 hours.

Deferred Compensation:
The City contributes 4.5% to a deferred compensation program.

Health and Dental:
Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City's contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City's monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee. If employees hired prior to January 1, 2023 make any changes to their health plan, they will be placed in level two.

Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $1,956.00 towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will continue to provide $74.21 per month towards dental insurance.

Life Insurance:
City employees receive Basic Life Coverage ($5,000) + AD&D ($10,000) + 1 times annual salary 100% paid by the City. Employees also have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Holidays: The City observes 12 holidays per year.
01

Are you currently a member (in good standing) of the State Bar of California?

02

Do you possess a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school?

03

Please indicate your years of municipal law or general civil litigation experience:

04

Please describe your work experience with the following as it relates to municipal law matters:1) Reviewing and providing legal assistance in the drafting, reviewing, and revising of ordinances and resolutions.2) Drafting legal memos and opinions on municipal law matters.3) Preparing for and participating in litigation including drafting pleadings, attending hearings, mediations, and arbitrations, conducting discovery, including depositions, and any trial or appellate court experience. 4) Drafting and negotiating agreements/contracts for professional services, goods, and public works projects.
Required Question

City of Oxnard, CA

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Deputy City Attorney I/II