Job Title: Deputy City Attorney III - Labor & Employment
Job Responsibilities:
The Deputy City Attorney III in the Labor & Employment unit of the organization will be responsible for advising on a variety of personnel matters across different departments, with a particular focus on police personnel matters, accountability, and public-safety reform. Key duties include:
- Collaborating with other attorneys, City staff, and leadership to analyze labor and employment issues and resolve disputes.
- Advising City investigators and department heads on employee misconduct, due process, and related grievances, including police-officer investigations and discipline.
- Representing the City in administrative hearings to resolve labor and/or employment disputes.
- Drafting and reviewing opinions, legislation, contracts, and other legal documents that require the application of labor and/or employment law.
- Advising on administrative investigations of misconduct and the discipline process throughout the grievance process.
- Advising on the investigation and resolution of labor and employment or personnel-related claims and complaints against the City or City management, recommending actions to be taken.
- Advising various City officials, including the City Administrator, Employee Relations Director, and Chief of Police, on personnel matters to ensure compliance with laws and policies.
- Representing the City in administrative proceedings, such as labor arbitration hearings and Civil Service Board hearings.
- Advising on labor-contract bargaining and other labor negotiations.
- Developing training materials and providing training to staff on relevant legal issues.
- Conducting legal research, interpreting laws and court decisions, and preparing opinions for various City departments and officials.
- Preparing, reviewing, and revising ordinances, resolutions, employment contracts, and other legal documents.
Education and Experience Information:
- A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities is through a combination of experience and education.
- Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible work experience in one or more relevant areas of law is required for the Deputy City Attorney III position. Ideal candidates will have experience in labor and employment law matters, workplace or misconduct investigations, police accountability or civilian oversight, employee due-process, or collective bargaining and labor-dispute resolution. Excellent verbal communication, writing, and oral presentation skills are essential.
- Education: Candidates must be law school graduates.
- License or Certificate: Candidates must be a member in good standing of the California State Bar.
Additional Desirable Skills:
- Working knowledge of municipal, state, and federal laws affecting City governance, especially laws related to open meetings and public records.
- Language skills in Spanish, Cantonese, and/or Mandarin are desirable.
- Ability to interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances.
- Ability to conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.
- Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
- Ability to present cases in court or administrative proceedings.
- Ability to handle stressful and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to provide professional leadership, guidance, and technical expertise to assigned staff.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
- Ability to form or work with a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to manage multiple demanding programs, cases, and projects with competing deadlines.
- Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form with City officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the public, with an emphasis on working with law enforcement and civilian oversight investigators.
- Ability to complete varied assignments within a narrow time frame.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and other contacts in the course of work.
- Ability to inspire confidence and respect for legal advice.
- Skill in presenting legal advice to clients, including elected and high-level appointed officials.
Salary Information:
- Salary Range for Deputy City Attorney III: $161, to $198, annually.
- Benefits include health, dental, vision, pension, hybrid work-from-home, and other competitive benefits.
