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Job Description
Description
Note: This recruitment/posting was updated on 7/31/23 at 5 pm to reflect a revised application and selection process.
In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the "right person" to serve as Chief Assistant City Attorney.
City Attorney's Office
The Office of the City Attorney represents the City in all aspects of legal representation. In addition to handling all lawsuits in-house, and prosecuting crimes at the local level, the City Attorney's Office advises the City Council and all City officials in all matters of law pertaining to the business of the City of Huntington Beach. Among other things, generally the City Attorney defends the City in every lawsuit, including Writs and Appeals, prepares and/or reviews all City Ordinances, Resolutions, contracts and other legal documents. The City Attorney also prosecutes criminal cases arising from violation of the provisions of the City Charter or Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and such State misdemeanors as the City has the power to prosecute.
The Position
The City of Huntington Beach offers a truly unique opportunity for experienced California municipal attorneys. As one of the few cities with an elected City Attorney, the Chief Assistant serves an oversized role, with a great deal of autonomy and prestige but without the negative aspects of the top spot. Additionally, the next Chief Assistant will have the opportunity to be part of a City that is leading the way in its efforts to protect its local control. The Chief Assistant City Attorney supervises and oversees the operations of the City Attorney's Office; manages the day-to-day activities, attornies, and support staff. This classification is designated as “at will” which excludes it from the competitive service of the city and the City’s Classification Plan.
Please note: This recruitment may close at any time, and will close when the hiring manager determines that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Examples of Essential Duties- Assists the City Attorney in administering the city’s legal functions
- Serves as senior counsel in handling serious, controversial and complex litigation and in providing advice and counsel to and on behalf of the City
- Supervises professional and support staff; provides and coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements disciplinary actions and recommends termination procedures
- Oversees all important litigation matters that encompass a variety of complex legal issues, including monitoring all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies
- Analyzes and researches legal problems; prepares opinions; confers with and advises City officials, staff, departments, advisory bodies and commissions on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties and functions and obligations
- Monitors proposed legislation and court decisions related to municipal law and activities; evaluates the impact to City operations
- Implements cost control procedures for outside counsel
- Performs the duties of the City Attorney in the absence of the City Attorney;
- Maintains effective and extensive professional relationships with representatives of other local, state and federal agencies
- Performs other such legal duties consistent with the City Charter as may be required of him/her by the City Council
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes :
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible experience in city or related government law, including trial experience, and two years of administrative or supervisory responsibility.
License/Certification: Active membership in the State Bar of California. Valid California Driver’s License
Please click here to view the full job description.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:- Application Review - Please attach to your online application 1. a cover letter, 2. an updated resume.
- Examination(s) - An oral board exam (weighted 100%) will be scheduled when a sufficient number of qualified applications has been received.
- Selection Interview
- Background Investigation
- Appointment
Supplemental Information
The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package for Non-Associated employees including:
SALARY RANGE for Executive Management consist of a "starting point", "control point" and "high point". Salary increases up to 5% may be awarded based on performance at annual review and market data.
TEN-TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year (see MOU).
GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.
EXECUTIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 80 hours per calendar year
GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.
The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:
Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous: 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period: 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 8.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit FormulaMiscellaneous: 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period: 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 7.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)
Classic Safety Members:
Benefit FormulaSafety: 3.0% at age 50
Final Compensation Period: 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 9.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Safety Members under PEPRA:
Benefit FormulaSafety: 2.7% at age 57
Final Compensation Period: 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 12.50% of Reportable Compensation (eff, 7/1/23)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.
CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.
For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Non-Represented (Non-Associated) Employees'". -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Huntington Beach
Show moreTHE COMMUNITY
The City of Huntington Beach is located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Orange County, 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. As the fourth largest city in Orange County, with a population near 200,000 residents, Huntington Beach is known as “Surf City USA” due to its abundance of beaches, sunny, warm Mediterranean climate and casual lifestyle. Huntington Beach covers 28 square miles of land, 26 square miles of water, and is the 24th largest city in California. With more than 8 miles of uninterrupted beach along the Pacific Ocean, the City also plays host to an annual visitor population of over 11 million people, especially during the summer, special events and weekends.
Huntington Beach has one of the largest pleasure piers in the world and has the longest concrete pier in the State. The City’s park system includes 58 public parks (with a dog park), riding stables and the largest city-owned and operated regional park in Orange County — Huntington Central Park. Also within the City’s boundaries are five recreation centers (including a senior center), three miles of equestrian trails, two golf courses, 72 tennis courts, a marina and a protected wildlife preserve. Running parallel to Pacific Coast Highway and just steps from the ocean is an eight-mile strand perfect for biking, inline skating, jogging or a leisurely stroll.
The City is centrally located to all major attractions in Orange County including the Disney Resorts, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Repertory Theater, and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The City is home to the International Surfing Museum, the Surfing Walk of Fame, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Harbour and the Huntington Beach Art Center. Huntington Beach draws some of the largest crowds in the world to such professional sporting events as the U.S. Open of Surfing, Van’s World Championship of Skateboarding and AVP Pro Beach Volleyball.
There are 35 elementary schools, five public high schools and one community college (Golden West College) located within Huntington Beach. The City has a world-class library located within the 365-acre Central Park as well as four additional branch libraries. In addition, Orange Coast College; the University of California, Irvine; and California State Universities at Long Beach and Fullerton are located in close proximity.
There are over 117,000 households within a five-mile radius of the Huntington Beach Civic Center. The average family household income is $122,851, ranking one of the highest in the nation based on the top 100 largest cities in the country.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT
Founded in the late 1880s, Huntington Beach was incorporated as a Charter City in 1909. Huntington Beach has a City Council/ City Manager form of government. The City Council has seven members who are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis, to four-year overlapping terms. City Council members are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms. There are three elected department heads - the City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The position of Mayor is filled on a rotating basis.
The City of Huntington Beach is organized into 13 major departments including City Treasurer, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Community Development, Community Services, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Services, Library Services, Police, and Public Works.
The City has approximately 1,600 full and part-time employees and a total budget of approximately $345 Million.
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