Government - General Attorney / Municipal Law Transactions - Land Use, Employment, etc. Attorney in Morro Bay, CA

Government

Morro Bay, CA

Government - General Attorney / Municipal Law Transactions - Land Use, Employment, etc. Attorney in Morro Bay, CA

Attorney

Min 5 yrs required

No

Job Title: City Attorney

Job Responsibilities:
The City Attorney for the organization serves as the chief legal advisor and officer, offering comprehensive legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, and various departments. This role involves overseeing all legal affairs, ensuring that the city's operations comply with applicable laws, and minimizing potential liabilities. Key responsibilities include:

- Acting as the legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and all city departments, boards, commissions, and committees.
- Drafting, reviewing, and interpreting legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, policies, contracts, and development agreements.
- Representing the city in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings, as well as managing and overseeing outside legal counsel.
- Providing legal support and risk management advice to mitigate liability and ensure compliance with state, federal, and local laws.
- Attending City Council and designated board/commission meetings to offer legal guidance on matters under discussion.
- Reviewing staff reports, agenda items, and public communications to ensure legal sufficiency and clarity.
- Advising on public records, open meetings (Brown Act), conflicts of interest, and ethics laws.
- Supporting and advising on land use and planning matters, including compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), zoning, Coastal Act, and entitlement processes.
- Providing legal guidance on lease negotiations and management of city-owned real property, including tidelands and harbor leases.
- Advising on harbor operations and legal obligations under the Tidelands Trust and associated State agency regulations.
- Offering legal review and counsel on public works, construction projects, and professional services contracts.
- Coordinating with the City Engineer and Public Works staff on contract law, bid protests, and infrastructure legal issues.
- Reviewing and recommending updates to the Municipal Code and city policies to ensure legal consistency and clarity.
- Developing and delivering training for elected officials and city staff on applicable laws, legal updates, and city policy compliance.
- Coordinating legal strategy and overseeing the work of outside legal counsel, including reviewing and approving related invoices.
- Maintaining professional knowledge of evolving municipal law, including pending legislation and case law.
- Performing other duties as assigned or necessary to meet the city's legal needs.

Education and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the City Attorney position should possess the following qualifications:

- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
- Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
- A minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible legal experience in municipal law or an equivalent field.
- Experience with land use, coastal law, lease management, and harbor operations is preferred.
- Experience in a coastal city legal environment is highly desirable.

Salary Information:
The City Attorney position offers a competitive salary that is dependent upon the selected candidate's qualifications. The annual salary range for this position is between $212,035 and $234,062. Additional compensation and benefits include:

- A 5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) on 7/1/25 and 5% COLA on 7/1/26.
- Vacation Leave: Up to 20 days annually, dependent on years of service.
- Sick Leave: 12 days annually.
- Administrative Leave: 80 hours annually.
- Holiday Pay: 14 paid holidays, including two (2) floating holidays.
- Retirement: CalPERS Retirement (2% at 60 for "Classic" members and 2% at 62 for PEPRA). The city does not participate in Social Security or State Disability Insurance.
- Deferred Compensation: Option to participate in a choice of 457 plans with a city contribution up to $3,500.
- Health Insurance: CalPERS Health Insurance with 100% city coverage for PERS Gold Anthem PPO for the employee and a generous contribution to family coverage.
- Life/Dental/Vision: Principal insurance covered 100% by the city for employee and family.
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance: Covered by the city.
- Cell Phone and Automobile Allowance.

The application process is conducted with strict confidentiality, and candidates are encouraged to apply immediately as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The organization values equal employment opportunity, ensuring non-discrimination based on various legally protected categories.