Assistant City Attorney
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Assistant City Attorney
Salary
$175,413.16 - $213,215.08 Annually
Location
Tracy, CA
Job Type
Full Time
Department
City Attorney's Office
Opening Date
06/24/2025
Closing Date
7/15/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
CEU
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
Click here (https://youtu.be/kC2EC-Ux-fE?si=0UGJVBHKsV-a_UcU) to learn more about the City of Tracy and here (https://www.cityoftracy.org/home/showdocument?id=20789&t=638863690696072769) for the job announcement.
As part of the Confidential Employee Unit (CEU), this position has been approved for the following Cost of Living Adjustments.
5% COLA on 6/29/2025
4% COLA on 6/28/2026
4% COLA on 6/27/2027
4% COLA on 6/25/2028
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: JULY 15, 2025
Oral Board: JULY 31, 2025
Selection Interview: THE WEEK OF AUGUST 11TH OR 18TH
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Tracy is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Assistant City Attorney to join its legal team. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in land use and planning law, with an interest in growing their litigation experience within a municipal setting. This role offers the chance to provide direct legal support to the City Council, various Boards and Commissions, and City departments on a wide range of issues. Candidates familiar with San Joaquin County and regional priorities will have a valuable perspective when advising on legal matters that impact local governance. The position encompasses a broad mix of assignments-from drafting ordinances, contracts, and resolutions to handling matters related to development, code enforcement, utilities, procurement, and public records. This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to apply their legal expertise to help shape and support a thriving Central Valley community.
Our City Attorney's Office is a fast-paced and exciting environment where staff provide comprehensive legal services to the agency and often deal with novel legal issues. Dedication to public service, a strong work ethic, solid analytical skills, creativity, flexibility, judgment, and strong emotional intelligence are essential. The successful candidate will be perceptive, confident and a team-player who is willing to learn new areas. As an agency and as an office, we are committed to recognizing the value that each member of the team brings based on their unique perspective and experiences. We are a full-service law office, that represents and defends all City departments, including Human Resources, City Clerk, City Manager's Office, Police, Fire Authority, Public Works, Finance, Community and Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Innovation & Technology. The incumbent will be asked to attend all City Council meetings which are held on Tuesday evenings at City Hall.
The Assistant City Attorney is an at-will position. The employee serves at the pleasure of the City Manager or as defined in the Municipal Code. The City Manager retains the authority to terminate any such employee at any time with or without cause. An "at will" employee has no right of appeal of discipline or termination.
DEFINITION
Under administrative direction, provides highly responsible and complex legal assistance to City staff, planning commissions, and other boards; reviews and drafts contracts, ordinances, and other documents; represents the City in court; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the City Attorney in areas of expertise; acts as City Attorney in the City Attorney's absence; and performs related duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises technical and functional direction over the Deputy City Attorney. Exercises direct and general supervision over assigned staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is an assistant department director classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the City Attorney's office including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the City Attorney in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, City functions and activities, including the role of the City Counsel, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include assisting in coordinating the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable to assist in accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives, and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. This class is distinguished from the City Attorney in that the latter has overall management and administrative responsibility for all City legal matters.
Essential and Marginal Duties
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the City Attorney's office.
Provides technical advice to attorneys in the office; handles the more complex and difficult litigation and situations.
Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates the work of department personnel, provides direction or coordinates staff training, works with employees to correct deficiencies and implements discipline and termination procedures as required.
Confers with and advises City departments, and prepares legal opinions concerning their respective duties, powers, functions, and obligations.
Evaluates legal claims filed against the City and recommends appropriate action; represents the City in collection of claims.
Renders legal opinions for City Staff, Planning Commission, and other boards.
Prepares and reviews for legal sufficiency pleadings, motions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, deeds, permits, and other legal documents.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of municipal law; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
Monitors proposed legislation and court decisions related to City and/or public sector law and activities; evaluates their impact on City operations and recommends appropriate actions.
Represents the City Attorney at City Council, board, commission, and committee meetings.
Acts as the City Attorney on a relief basis.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE OF
Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
Principles and practices of leadership.
Advanced principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Advanced pleadings, practices, and effective techniques in the presentation of court cases.
Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.
ABILITY TO
Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the City and assigned program areas.
Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the City Attorney's office.
Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
Perform complex legal research, analyze multi-faceted problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
Prepare clear, concise, and complete legal documentation and reports, correspondence and other written material.
Make effective court and hearing presentations.
Direct the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with individuals; governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations.
Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience, at least two (2) of which must have been in California in an area of law applicable to municipal government operations.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license upon appointment.
Possession of a valid California State Bar License.
May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.
Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
N/A
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City of Tracy employees are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Labor Code. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee of the City may be assigned to perform activities which promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property. Such assignments may require service at locations, times, and under conditions that are significantly different than the normal work assignments and may continue into the recovery phase of the emergency. If a "Local Emergency" is declared during the employee's shift, employees will be expected to remain at work to respond to the emergency needs of the community. If a "Local Emergency" is declared outside of the employee's shift, employees must make every effort to contact their direct supervisor or department head to obtain reporting instructions as Disaster Service Workers.
