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Job Description
Description
The City of Huntington Beach is located in northwestern Orange County, 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 90 miles northwest of San Diego. With a population of about 202,265 residents, Huntington Beach is the fourth largest city in Orange County and the 24th largest city in California. Known as “Surf City,” Huntington Beach features nearly 8.5 miles of spectacular beaches and one of the largest recreational piers in the world. The City is home to a thriving beach community and is consistently named as one of the top ten beaches in California. The City hosts an annual visitor population of over 11 million people, featuring numerous large-scale special events, surf competitions, and festivals. Even with its swell of summer visitors, Huntington Beach has been listed for decades as among the FBI's safest cities in the nation. In 2021, WalletHub ranked Huntington Beach as the best-run city in California. The City is supported by nearly 1,500 employees and has a General Fund budget of $285 million (total budget $508 million).
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 Trial Counsel (Chief Litigation Counsel).
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.
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
The Position
The City of Huntington Beach offers a truly unique opportunity for experienced California municipal attorneys, as it is one of the few cities with an elected City Attorney. T he Chief Litigation Counsel leads the City’s trial and litigation efforts in all civil lawsuits, either for prosecution of or in the defense, on behalf of the City of Huntington Beach, and works with other attorneys who are litigating cases on behalf of the City.
Click here to view a detailed list of essential duties.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Minimum of five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in the litigation and trying of cases in the State of California with a minimum of taking lead role in five (5) jury and three (3) bench trials to verdict in Superior Court. Admission to practice in the State and Federal jurisdictional courts.
License/Certification: Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver license with an acceptable driving record by time of appointment and throughout period of employment required.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:- Application Review - Please attach to your online application 1. a cover letter, and 2. an updated resume.
- Examination(s) - An oral exam (weighted 100%) will be scheduled when a sufficient number of qualified applications has been received.
- Selection Interview
- Background Investigation
- Appointment
The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Management Employees' Organization members including:
The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.
PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.
TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.
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.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.
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 9.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 8.25% 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 "Management Employees' Organization". -
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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