Deputy City Attorney II/III Affirmative Litigation, Innovation and Enforcement Division Housing
City of Oakland
- Oakland, CA
- $200,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
City Attorney's OfficeThe City Attorney's Office provides counsel to the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, and City boards and commissions, various City-wide task forces and City agencies and departments. Incumbents perform a variety of professional legal duties involving civil municipal law issues. The City Attorney is also empowered by state law to bring certain actions on behalf of the People of the State of California. Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland.Examples of DutiesDuties include but are not limited to the following:
- Participating in or leading affirmative litigation (including case evaluation, conducting investigations, drafting complaints, engaging in motions practice, arguing motions, propounding and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, preparing for judicial proceedings (including settlement conferences, trials, and in appellate courts), and engaging in post-judgment or post-settlement compliance monitoring).
- Communicating with, including as witnesses, City staff, community members, and stakeholders, in an intentional and trauma-informed manner, including across lines of difference.
- Participating in or leading administrative hearings, including citation appeals, administrative writs, and traditional writs.
- Working closely with City administrators, elected officials, and agency and department executives to develop or enforce City laws and policies.
- Developing or assisting in the development of local legislation to further the Units', Office's, and City's priorities, which may also include reviewing staff reports and writing City Council reports.
- Creating or developing constructive, collaborative relationships with civil society groups.
- Working with other attorneys in the Office and in partner offices on various matters.
- Being a key player in cultivating a strong, thoughtful, cooperative, and dynamic team.
- Exercising sound judgment.
- Clearly explaining legal advice to attorneys and lay people.
- Attendance at some evening and late-night meetings.
- DCA II: Two years of increasingly responsible work experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney I in the City of Oakland.
- DCA III: Two years of increasingly responsible work experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney II position in the City of Oakland.
- Graduate from an accredited school of law.
- A member in good standing of the California State Bar.
- DCAs in this position are required to maintain a valid California Driver's License during City employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner, to the extent feasible depending on disability-related accommodations.
- Investigate and litigate all aspects of a complex civil case in state and/or federal court (and, at minimum, demonstrated experience at the time of application in several key aspects of complex civil litigation).
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
- Interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances.
- Conduct research on legal problems to prepare sound legal documents, including in litigation and in other contexts (e.g., legal opinions).
- Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents, with demonstrated excellence in legal writing.
- Present cases in court and in administrative proceedings.
- Handle stressful and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy, including across the spectrum of diversity.
- Provide professional leadership, guidance, and technical expertise to the Office and to City staff.
- Work independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Form or work with a multidisciplinary team and/or with partners of different backgrounds.
- Manage multiple demanding programs, cases, and projects with competing deadlines.
- Communicate effectively and persuasively in both oral and written form with City officials, representatives of outside agencies and the public, and in litigation.
- Complete varied assignments in a well-organized fashion and with attention to detail within a narrow time frame.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of audiences.
- Inspire confidence and respect for legal analysis and advice.
- Skillfully and professionally present legal advice to clients, including elected and high-level appointed officials.
- Language skills, especially in Spanish, Cantonese, and/or Mandarin.
- Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government.
- Expert knowledge of and experience in federal and state court, administrative agency procedures, and municipal government law and procedures.
- Litigation experience that is transferable.
- Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
- 15 paid holidays
- Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
- Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
- Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
- Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
- Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
- Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
- Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
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