Senior Deputy City Attorney

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general direction, perform the most complex professional legal work and legal research; perform specialized legal assignments; represent the City and City Attorney's Office on legal assignments; and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the most advanced working level in the professional Deputy City Attorney class series, excepting the Chief Deputy's position. Incumbents are expected to perform the most complex professional legal work and research with minimal direction from the City Attorney. This class differs from the Deputy City Attorney in that incumbents perform the complete scope of City Attorney work, as well as maintain responsibility for a specialty area within the Office of the City Attorney. They may also provide lead direction and training for less experienced legal staff.

REPORTS TO
City Attorney or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
Provides lead direction and training for Deputy City Attorney.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Negotiate drafts and review various legal documents including contracts, ordinances, resolutions, leases, and deeds on behalf of the City and its related entities.
2. Attend Planning Commission meetings and advise the Planning Commission and Planning staff on land use, Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, Brown Act, Political Reform Act, and procedural matters.
3. Act as legal advisor for assigned City departments, boards, or commissions; provide verbal and written advice as necessary.
4. Review and draft development-related finance and implementation plans, including impact fees, studies, public financing, and Community Facility District documents; review and draft documents (including ballot measures and majority protest elections) necessary to comply with Propositions 218 and 26.
5. Review and analyze property valuations for City acquisition of property, draft necessary agreements to acquire appraised properties, and authorize and draft appropriate legal documents to support needed eminent domain actions.
6. Receive and evaluate legal cases and potential litigation; examine evidence, interview witnesses, and perform requisite investigations to determine the City's proper course of legal action; and authorize and draft appropriate legal documents to support legal cases.
7. Prepare and present cases at preliminary and legal administrative hearings in court; analyze cases and legal precedents for motions, stipulations, or waivers; and prepare pleadings and appear in court on writ of mandate matters.
8. Perform the most complex professional legal assignments and research; maintain responsibility for special assignment areas within the Office of the City Attorney.
9. Lead, direct, and train other professional legal staff.
10. Perform special projects and assignments.
11. Serve as acting City Attorney in the temporary absence of the City Attorney and Chief Deputy.
12. Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of criminal, civil, and administrative law, especially as they relate to municipal governments.
General and public contract law.
California codes and statutes applicable to criminal and civil law.
Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
Principles, methods, and techniques of legal research and investigation.
Municipal government organization, structure, and functional responsibilities.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Conduct of hearings in court and administrative proceedings.
Legal precedents and court decisions related to assignments.
Appellate practices.
Familiarity with planning and land use law, Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, finance, public contract law, municipal code enforcement proceedings, and Constitutional law preferred.
Principles of work coordination and training for other staff.
Methods and techniques of interviewing.
Effective public speaking techniques
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:
Maintain responsibility for assigned legal specialty area.
Prepare clear and concise legal documents, including but not limited to, briefs, ordinances, resolutions, correspondence, and supporting documents.
Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinion.
Present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically.
Exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
Read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain codes, regulations, and other written materials.
Negotiate with other parties.
Define legal issues, collect and analyze information, and recommend action.
Provide training and work direction for other professional legal staff.
Prepare and present a variety of special reports.
Maintain confidentiality.
Work collaboratively and independently.
Distinguish between legal and policy matters.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Effectively represent the City and City Attorney's Office  to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
Represent the City effectively in hearings, courts of law, and meetings.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and
database applications.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
A Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association or California State accredited school of law.
Experience:
Three years of professional legal experience as a member of the State Bar of California, or another State, working at a level equivalent to a Deputy City Attorney with the City of Merced.

License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.
Active membership in the California State Bar.
Special Requirements:
Incumbent will be required to file a Statement of Economic Interest under the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Must be willing and able to work the hours necessary to accomplish the job requirements, including working irregular hours, attend evening meetings, and travel to attend court, classes, meetings, and/or seminars, as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in an office and/or courtroom environment; occasional work outside as required by research; and frequent contact with other staff and the public.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility in an office setting; to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; to hear in the normal range with or without correction; to see in the normal range with or without correction; verbal communication; and use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.