Deputy City Attorney (Civil Advisory Division, Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit)

About the role

The San Diego City Attorney's Office is seeking a Deputy City Attorney for the Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit. This position reports directly to the Chief Deputy City Attorney.

Responsibilities

• Routinely civilly prosecute a wide range of violations referred by various City Departments, including Drug Abatement and Red-Light Abatement actions.
• Litigate all aspects of a lawsuit from the initial filing through the appellate process, including drafting complaints, briefs, motions, discovery, and other legal documents as required.
• Research, analyze, and write legal memoranda for litigation purposes and for land use enforcement issues.
• Independently manage a case load.
• Train City inspectors on code enforcement and other legal issues.
• Attend meetings with City personnel to problem-solve issues and accept cases.
• Attend community meetings.
• Cookordination investigations by City Attorney investigators, law enforcement personnel, and regulatory agency personnel.
• Respond to California Public Records Act requests.
• Appear and address legal questions at City Council and Committee meetings, and may appear at administrative hearings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Be an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Have 3-5 years of experience as a civil litigator (including civil discovery experience) or equivalent.
• Have excellent research and legal writing skills.
• Ideal Candidates Will Have Municipal law experience, including experience enforcing housing, building, and zoning violations.
• Possess strong analytical and oral presentation skills.
• Be a practical problem-solver and team player.
• Have good time management skills.
• Demonstrate effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to learn new areas of law, new ways to litigate, and can adapt to changing situations and circumstances.
• Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and personal vehicle or other means to travel is required.
• Successful applicants must pass a criminal background and reference checks.

Skills

• Strong analytical and oral presentation skills.
• Practical problem-solving and team-player skills.
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to learn new areas of law, new ways to litigate, and adapt to changing situations and circumstances.

Benefits

• Participation in the City's Flexible Benefits Plan, which offers several optional benefit plans or a taxable cash option.
• $50,000 in City-paid life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid annual leave (paid time off) accruing at 22 days per year for the 1st through 15th year of service.
• San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (SDCERS) defined benefit (pension) plan.
• Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans (401(k)/457(b)).
• Retiree Medical Trust Plan.
• Holidays – Eleven (11) paid holidays are provided annually and one (1) Floating Holiday in a fiscal year.
• Long-Term Disability Income Plan.
• Free MTS transit pass.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Pay

The successful candidate’s annual salary is based on the Deputy City Attorney salary table and dependent on qualifications and level of relevant legal experience. For further salary information, refer to the Deputy City Attorney Salary Table.

Schedule

The City Attorney’s Office generally supports remote teleworking and the position may allow for a hybrid schedule with a mix of in-office and remote work after the introductory and probationary period.