Assistant City Attorney - Housing

• Represent the City in administrative hearings, superior court proceedings (writs and trials), and brief the City Council on housing litigation matters.

• Provide legal advice and opinions to the Oxnard Housing Authority, Oxnard Housing Department, and Oxnard City Council; and assist the City Manager regarding state and local housing-related matters. 

• Serve as lead Assistant City Attorney implementing the City’s Tenant Protection Laws including Rent Stabilization, Just Cause Eviction, and Anti-Harassment Ordinances.

• Assist and advise department directors and staff; interface with members of the public/community, local organizations, and advocacy groups that represent property owners, landlords or tenants.

Under general direction, the Assistant City Attorney provides a wide range of professional legal services to all City departments and divisions, City Council and various boards, commissions, committees; may assist in coordinating the work of contract attorneys on complex or specialized matters; and performs related duties as assigned. This position requires a strong understanding of municipal law, landlord-tenant relations, and civil litigation/administrative proceedings, with an emphasis on compliance and dispute resolution.

The essential functions for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Works closely with the Housing Department providing advice and Opinions to the Oxnard Housing Department regarding the City’s Tenant Protection Laws, including Rent Stabilization, Just Cause Eviction, and Anti-Harassment Ordinances.

• Confers with and renders assistance to department directors  and division managers in establishing policies by developing and applying legal analysis and procedures; recommends changes in policies and procedures to meet legal requirements.

• Prepares matters for administrative hearings and represents the City in such hearings; handles litigation related to the City’s Tenant Protection laws, such as writs of mandate. 

• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents and instruments; reviews such documents and offers opinions as to legality.

• Performs legal research and prepares opinions on various legal issues for City departments and divisions, the City Council and various boards, commissions and committees.

• Attends meetings of boards, commissions and committees as may be required; renders legal advice as requested.

• Represents the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings when necessary.

• Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.

• Represents the City in the community and at professional meetings as required.

• Conducts and oversees investigations into complaints of ordinance violations, including gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and coordinating with external agencies such as fair housing organizations.

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

• The equivalent of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of municipal law with emphasis on state and local housing laws and civil or administrative litigation experience or related experience.

• Membership in the State Bar of California.
• Additional certifications, licenses, endorsements and training may be required, depending on assignment. You may be required to submit documented proof of these requirements.

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing.

About the Benefits

In exchange for all your hard work and determination, you will receive a competitive salary of $198,059 to $257,477, negotiable based on experience and qualifications, along with a wide host of benefits including:

• Enjoy CalPERS Retirement membership: Classic 2% at 55, New 2% at 62; your contribution secures your future; no Social Security participation.
• 12 paid holidays off per year.
• The City contributes 4.5% of employee base salary to the City-sponsored 401 (a) plan.
• The City contributes 1% of employee base salary to a Retirement Health Savings Program. 
• Leave accrual rates vary between 6.24 – 11.78 hours per pay period based on years of service with the City of Oxnard.  
• 60 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year.
• The City will contribute $2,054.00 monthly towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back with proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will continue to provide $66.79 per month towards dental insurance.  
• One-Time Cash Payments: In lieu of cost of living adjustments, the City will provide a one-time cash payment for the years specified below. Employees must have worked the 12 months (2080 hours) preceding the payment to be eligible for the full amount. Employees who worked less than the 12 months (2080 hours) requirement, will receive a prorated amount based on the total number of hours they have worked.
  • First full pay period July 2026- 3% of base salary 
  • First full pay period July 2027 - 3% of base salary 

If you share our passion for city growth and possess the skills for success, apply now!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.

• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.

• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, regular, and temporary assignments.There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy in the City Attorney's Office.

UNION MEMBERSHIP:

Regular full-time and part-time positions in this classification within the City Attorney's Office are unrepresented and follow Resolution 16,006. 

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough background investigation

NOTE: 

For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12 month probationary period.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities.  If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date.  Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT: On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify