Deputy Attorney II​/III; Land Use Option

The City Attorney's Office has one vacancy for a municipal law attorney with experience in land use and housing matters to be filled at either the Deputy City Attorney II or Deputy City Attorney III level, based on the evaluation of candidate's qualifications by the City Attorney. If hired as Deputy City Attorney II, movement to Deputy City Attorney III is neither implied nor guaranteed.

• Deputy City Attorney II: $ - $ (Salary range will increase to $ - $ effective 1/9/26)
• Deputy City Attorney III: $ - $ (Salary range will increase to $ - $ effective 7/10/26)

Please Note:

(1) This is an unclassified at-will position. (2) Final candidates must pass a thorough criminal background investigation and pre‑employment physical prior to starting employment. (3) This announcement does not constitute an expressed or implied employment contract.

The Deputy City Attorney II/III will perform legal work as a member of the Advisory Division of the Office of the City Attorney. It is anticipated that this position will primarily serve as a legal advisor to specific City departments, officials, and employees.

The ideal candidate will have an essential understanding of land use, municipal law, constitutional law, CEQA, civil liability, administrative law and procedures, and public entity laws/issues. The candidate will independently perform legal research and work collaboratively with City staff to identify and mitigate risks, including assisting in the development of best practices, policies, and training materials. An energetic problem‑solver who works well in a collegial, team‑oriented environment and can be available as needed to meet client demands will be well suited to the position.

Experience in either a governmental agency or in private practice that involves representation of a governmental agency is preferred.

The position will primarily advise the Development Services Department, which includes Building, Planning, and Land Development Engineering divisions, on land use matters. Functions may additionally include, but are not limited to, advising staff in various municipal departments, performing legal research on all aspects of local government; interpreting and applying laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities; preparing ordinances, resolutions, deeds, permits, contracts, leases, memoranda, and other legal documents;

representing the City in administrative appeal hearings; performing risk management analysis/tasks; staffing City Council meetings and other board or commission meetings; appearing and presenting on behalf of the City at community forums; designing and implementing training programs for City employees; and assisting City staff and management in the coordination and negotiation of a variety of transactional matters related to local government services and projects.

The City reserves the right to modify the job duties. Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of: –– Deputy City Attorney II: three years of responsible experience as a practicing attorney, either in a governmental agency or in private practice involving representation of governmental agencies pertaining to public law advisory matters.

–– Deputy City Attorney III: seven years of responsible experience as a practicing attorney, either in a governmental agency or in a private practice involving representation of governmental agencies pertaining to public law advisory matters.
A qualified candidate must also be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.

Knowledge of legal principles, legal research, legal advocacy, and basic civil litigation techniques;
State and Federal statutory and case law applicable to public entities in California; rules and procedures for California and Federal courts;
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; modern office methods, procedures, computer equipment, and computer…