DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY I/II or SENIOR DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY - PUBLIC SAFETY/HR DIVISION

The Position

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position Deputy City Attorney I/II or Senior Deputy City Attorney to fill one (1) vacancy in the Public Safety/HR Division. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months. This job posting may be closed without prior notice.

The Public Safety/HR Division of the City Attorney's Office strives to improve the quality of life in the City of Riverside by creating a more livable and vibrant community, where residents can enjoy a better quality of life. For this position, experience with criminal law, receiverships, municipal code violations, nuisance abatements, homelessness, Pitchess motions, an understanding of the Peace Officer and Fire Fighter’s Bill of Rights, and labor and employment law (including FEHA, ADA, FMLA/CFRA, and FLSA), workplace investigations, labor arbitrations and grievance handling is highly desirable but not required. An individual that is self-motivated, reacts well to change, and can adjust to a fast-paced legal environment is desired.

The City of Riverside is a Charter city. The City Attorney's Office is a fast-paced and exciting environment where attorneys provide comprehensive legal services to the agency and often deal with novel legal issues. Dedication to public service, a strong work ethic, solid analytical skills, creativity, flexibility, judgment, and strong emotional intelligence are essential. The successful candidate will be perceptive, confident and a team-player who is willing to learn new areas. As an agency and as an office, we are committed to recognizing the value that each member of the team brings based on their unique perspective and experiences. We are a full-service law firm, that represents and defends all City departments, including Human Resources, City Clerk, City Manager, Police, Fire, Public Utilities, Public Works, Airport, General Services, Library, Museum, Community and Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Information Technology. We have a dedicated team of civil trial lawyers who handle litigation in-house.The City Attorney's Office has several options to provide employees with some flexibility to promote work-life balance. Currently, most employees are allowed to telecommute up to two (2) days per week. In addition, the City Attorney's Office offers a flexible work schedule. Employees can work a 9/80 schedule in which employees can work nine (9) hour days in order to have alternating Fridays off or a 4/10 schedule in which employees can work ten (10) hour days and have Fridays off. The City Attorney's Office also allows employees to select their work schedule start time in 15-minute intervals between 6:00 am to 9:30 am.Vision Statement: Our vision is to be the preeminent City Attorney's Office in the region with a talented team committed to public service and an engaged office environment.Mission Statement: The Riverside City Attorney’s Office is dedicated to providing professional, ethical, high-quality legal services to the City Council, Boards and Commissions, and City staff for the benefit of all. Working as a team with individual strengths and collaborative efforts, we strive to achieve our united goal of serving our community and making the City of Riverside a better place to live, work and play.Values: Our core values are TACT (Teamwork/ Accountability/ Collaboration/ Trust) and PRIDE (Professionalism/ Respect/ Integrity/ Dedication/ Ethics). The City Attorney’s Office is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment. We value diversity and believe in fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and professional growth. While our vision and mission statements guide our work for today and tomorrow, our core values are the guiding principles and the fundamental driving forces on how we engage with each other and what you can expect when you engage with us. As a vital part of our office, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the success of our City by supporting our Public Safety/HR Division. The City Attorney's Office seeks ideal candidate(s) who are passionate about the law, possess current legal experience, have a positive work ethic, and possess the ability to work independently and harmoniously as a member of a team in a fast-paced legal environment.Deputy City Attorneys under general direction provide a wide range of professional legal services related to municipal government operations; conduct legal research, prepare opinions, memoranda, administrative rules and regulations and other legal documents; advise City Council, City departments, boards and commissions; represent the City in a variety of litigation that involves administrative hearings, labor arbitrations, Civil Service appeals, and Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) matters and employment arbitration; provide staff assistance to the City Attorney; and perform related duties as assigned.Appointment may be made at the level of Deputy City Attorney I, Deputy City Attorney II, or Senior Deputy City Attorney based on the level commensurate with the education and experience. Senior Deputy City Attorney: $149,856 - $230,928 annually The Senior Deputy City Attorney is an advanced journey level in the Deputy City Attorney series and incorporates all responsibilities of the Deputy City Attorney I and II. An incumbent is distinguished from the Deputy City Attorney II by the amount of experience attained in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. In addition to requiring only occasional instruction and assistance the incumbent is assigned the most complex legal work on a wide variety of topics and functions as a highly experienced practitioner. The incumbent may be assigned to provide general direction and assistance to attorneys at the Deputy City Attorney I and II levels.

Deputy City Attorney II: $129,852 - $174,024 annually

The Deputy City Attorney II is a journey level in the Deputy City Attorney series and incorporates all responsibilities of the Deputy City Attorney I. Incumbents receive occasional instruction or assistance and is fully knowledgeable of operating procedures and policies of the work unit. A Deputy City Attorney II is assigned general and specialized legal work on a variety of topics and functions as a full and experienced practitioner.

Deputy City Attorney I: $106,644 - $142,884 annuallyThe Deputy City Attorney I is the entry level in the Deputy City Attorney series. Incumbents perform the more routine tasks and duties and work under close supervision. This class is distinguished from the Deputy City Attorney II by the amount of experience attained in the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related public sector legal work experience.

Work Performed

Senior Deputy City Attorney: In addition to performing all duties of the Deputy City Attorney I and II, incumbents perform advanced journey-level and lead duties, including, but not limited to:

• Provide executive-level legal counsel to city management regarding high-risk personnel matters, labor strategy, and complex policy decisions.
• Advise executive management on sensitive internal affairs investigations, complex labor negotiations, and agency-wide POBR/FFBOR compliance matters.
• Handle the most complex and high-exposure matters, representing the City in Civil Service Commission appeals, Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) unfair practice charges, and multi-day labor arbitrations.
• Draft and negotiate executive employment agreements, complex settlement frameworks, and comprehensive municipal ordinances.
• Provide formal mentorship, work guidance, and direction to Deputy City Attorney I and II positions.
• Advise police and fire executive management on internal affairs investigations, POBR/FFBOR procedural compliance, and respond to Pitchess motions.

Deputy City Attorney II: In addition to performing all duties of the Deputy City Attorney I, incumbents independently perform journey-level duties, including, but not limited to:

• Confer with and render direct legal counsel to departments and HR staff on policy enforcement, employee disciplinary actions, workplace accommodations (ADA/FEHA), leaves of absence, and POBR/FFBOR compliance.
• Independently prepare and represent the City in litigation, labor arbitrations, Skelly hearings, labor grievances, and Pitchess motion hearings.
• Investigate and defend administrative charges before the CRD/EEOC and complex employee grievances to reduce litigation exposure.
• Draft and review specialized agreements, including employment agreements, labor MOUs, and settlement agreements.
• Cross-train and assist in guiding legal and departmental staff in specific legal procedures.

Deputy City Attorney I: Typical duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Perform legal research and prepare written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the City Council, City departments and various boards and commissions.
• Prepare, draft and review ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents, agreements and instruments; offer opinions as to legal acceptability when presented to the City for consideration by an outside agent or agency.
• Investigate claims and complaints against the City and take or recommend appropriate action.
• Assist with civil litigation, administrative disciplinary hearings, and drafting responses to Pitchess motions.
• Review and approve agreements and various other official documents.
• Represent the City Attorney at various City Council committees, board and commission meetings and in court as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Senior Deputy City Attorney

Education: Same as Deputy City Attorney I.

Experience: In addition to meeting DCA I/II qualifications, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in municipal/government law.

Deputy City Attorney II

Education: Same as Deputy City Attorney I.

Experience: In addition to meeting DCA I qualifications, a minimum of five (5) years of experience in municipal/government law.

Deputy City Attorney I

Education: Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.

Experience: Admission to the State Bar of California; prior legal practice or internship experience in California public sector or labor/employment law practice preferred.

Highly Desired

Qualifications

• Practical knowledge and experience with the Peace Officer Procedural Bill of Rights (POBR) and Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights (FFBOR).
• Experience representing public agencies in Skelly hearings, administrative appeals, labor arbitrations, or Pitchess motion practice.
• Demonstrated experience in California public sector employment law, labor relations (Meyers-Milias-Brown Act / PERB), and personnel administration.
• Strong research, legal writing, oral advocacy, and emotional intelligence skills.
• Demonstrated experience handling complex administrative, labor, or litigation matters.

Necessary

Special Requirements

• Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Selection Process

TO BE CONSIDERED, THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:

1) Completed Employment Application

2) Supplemental Questionnaire

3) Cover Letter that highlights why you are the ideal candidate

4) Resume

5) Three (3) Professional References

6) A Recent Legal Writing Sample or Deposition/Trial Transcript

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.EDUCATIONAL

REQUIREMENTS

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

A. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at .

B. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.