Assistant City Attorney - Labor and Employment

*This recruitment is open until filled. Early submissions are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a regular and ongoing basis.* 

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Department is seeking a well-qualified, highly motivated Assistant City Attorney to provide sound and ethical legal advice. The City seeks an Assistant City Attorney with a labor and employment background and litigation experience to work in partnership with the City Attorney. This position will focus on employment law, including personnel matters and labor relations, and be the primary point of contact to provide legal advice and opinions to City departments on employment-related issues. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with experience serving public sector organizations. 

• Work closely with the Human Resources Department to handle employment and labor law issues.
• Litigate employment and labor law issues in administrative tribunals and in state and federal courts.
• Thoroughly research and analyze problems, evaluate risks, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically all while exercising sound and independent judgment that follows the general policies, guidelines and legal parameters of federal and state laws, regulations, and constitutional provisions applicable to municipalities.

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Provides practical and proactive legal advice to all departments on labor and employment related matters including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, employee discipline and performance management, labor relations, employee benefits, employee accommodations and recruitment.
• Defends the City and City management in employment litigation matters before administrative tribunals and in state and federal court and oversees employment cases handled by outside counsel. 
• Writes position papers in response to charges filed with the Department of Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Represents the City in arbitration and grievance matters derived from discipline and labor issues and any ensuing writ litigation in state court.
• Supports HR led employment investigations and oversees investigations conducted by outside counsel. 
• Represents and litigates workplace violence restraining orders and gun violence restraining orders.
• Works closely with the Police Department providing advice on operational and personnel matters and provides representation in connection with Pitchess motions and other court matters.
• Helps oversee public liability litigation and the prosecution of misdemeanor violations of City ordinances.
• Attends meetings of boards, commissions and committees as may be required; renders legal advice as requested.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City, recommends action to be take.
• Represents the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings when necessary. 
• Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

• The equivalent of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of employment and labor law 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. 

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

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