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Job Description
Description
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on March 26, 2026, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.
NOTE: This posting is a job series in which applications will be accepted, reviewed, and considered based on the qualifications listed on the application. The candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and best meet the City's current needs will be invited to test at the appropriate job level within the series. Only ONE APPLICATION needs to be
submitted to be considered for this job series.
SALARY RANGE:
Deputy City Attorney I: $116,022.40 - $163,259.20 Annually
Deputy City Attorney II: $150,300.80 - $211,473.60 Annually
Senior Deputy City Attorney: $167,668.80 - $235,934.40 Annually
In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the "right person" to serve as Deputy City Attorney I, Deputy City Attorney II, or Senior Deputy City Attorney in our ADVISORY Division.
The Ideal Candidate has been practicing law in California for at least 2 years, with strong municipal law, government law, and or land use legal experience. The Ideal Candidate also has strong legal research and writing experience and experience in writing legal advisory opinions, briefing writs and appeals.
The City Attorney's Office
The Office of the City Attorney represents the City in all aspects of legal representation. In addition to handling lawsuits in-house, and prosecuting crimes at the local level, the City Attorney's Office advises the City Council and all City officials in all matters of law pertaining to the business of the City of Huntington Beach. Among other things, generally the City Attorney defends the City in lawsuits, including Writs and Appeals, prepares and/or reviews all City Ordinances, Resolutions, contracts and other legal documents. The City Attorney also prosecutes criminal cases arising from violation of the City Charter or Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and such State misdemeanors as the City has the power to prosecute.
The Position
Under general direction from the City Attorney and Chief Assistant City Attorney, the incumbent will be assigned to the Advisory Division of the City Attorney's Office. The Deputy City Attorney I or II perform routine to complex work, while the Senior level position will handle high leveladvisory assignments with emphasis in complex transactions, advising departments on environmental and land useissues, including CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, Coastal Act as well as in-depth knowledge of the Brown Act, PublicRecords Act, Political Reform Act and Roberts Rules of Order to serve as staff counsel to City boards, commissions andcommittees and may provide direction and assistance to less experienced attorneys at the Deputy City Attorney levels.Regarding day-to-day function, these positions received instruction or assistance commensurate with their experienceand position level.
Examples of Essential Duties
Deputy City Attorney I/II:- Timely responds to the needs presented while working in the City Attorney's Office in a professional, responsible, efficient manner in accordance with office policy as set by the City Attorney
- Performs a full range of legal research, writing, and other law-related transactional duties
- Drafts, reviews, and negotiates leases, contracts, and agreements
- Drafts, reviews, evaluates, revises, and recommends City ordinances, resolutions, policies and procedures
- Performs legal research, analysis, interprets laws, rulings and regulations, and prepares legal opinions to departments, boards, commissions, agencies and established committees as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
- Attends meetings with City staff and/or members of the public on behalf of the City and provides legal advice during the meetings as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
- May indirectly supervise other less experienced attorneys, support staff, and interns, provide work assignments and direction, review and evaluate work product as directed by the City Attorney or Chief Assistant City Attorney (at the II level)
Click here to view the full job description for Deputy City Attorney I
Click here to view the full job description for Deputy City Attorney II
In addition to duties listed above, Senior Deputy City Attorney (Advisory) also- Performs the full range of advisory work
- Explains City policies and issues to employees, elected officials and the general public
- Performs a full range of legal research, analysis, interprets laws, ruling and regulations, and provides legal opinions to departments, boards, commissions, agencies and established committees, as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
- Attends meetings with City staff and/or members of the public on behalf of the City and serves as legal advisor during meetings of public bodies, including the City Council, Personnel Commission and Planning Commission, as directed by the City Attorney or the Chief Assistant City Attorneys
- Performs to prevent and minimize legal exposure by providing legal advice to City officers and employees
Click here to view the full job description for Senior Deputy City Attorney
The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. The City, at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position or assignment is qualifying. A typical combination includes:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience:
Deputy City Attorney I:
Education:Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Two (2) years' experience as a practicing attorney, preferably within a municipal law office or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
Deputy City Attorney II:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Four (4) years' experience as a practicing attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver'S license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
Senior Deputy City Attorney:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Five (5) years' experience as a practicing trial or advisory attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services. State and Federal jury trial experience is desired for the trial counsel position.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Employees regularly assigned/required to drive a city or personal vehicle in the course and scope of work shall be required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull Notice program.
Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE- An online application must be fully completed
- Applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum education, experience, license and/or certification requirements to be considered.
- Applicants whose qualifications best meet the City’s needs will be invited to participate in a virtual oral examination (weighted 100%), which will be scheduled once a sufficiently qualified applicant pool has been established.
- Selection Interview
- Appointment
The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Management Employees' Organization members including:
The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.
PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.
TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.
GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.
GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.
The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:
Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.
CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.
For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Management Employees' Organization".
Closing Date/Time: Continuous -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Huntington Beach
Show moreTHE COMMUNITY
The City of Huntington Beach is located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Orange County, 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. As the fourth largest city in Orange County, with a population near 200,000 residents, Huntington Beach is known as “Surf City USA” due to its abundance of beaches, sunny, warm Mediterranean climate and casual lifestyle. Huntington Beach covers 28 square miles of land, 26 square miles of water, and is the 24th largest city in California. With more than 8 miles of uninterrupted beach along the Pacific Ocean, the City also plays host to an annual visitor population of over 11 million people, especially during the summer, special events and weekends.
Huntington Beach has one of the largest pleasure piers in the world and has the longest concrete pier in the State. The City’s park system includes 58 public parks (with a dog park), riding stables and the largest city-owned and operated regional park in Orange County — Huntington Central Park. Also within the City’s boundaries are five recreation centers (including a senior center), three miles of equestrian trails, two golf courses, 72 tennis courts, a marina and a protected wildlife preserve. Running parallel to Pacific Coast Highway and just steps from the ocean is an eight-mile strand perfect for biking, inline skating, jogging or a leisurely stroll.
The City is centrally located to all major attractions in Orange County including the Disney Resorts, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Repertory Theater, and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The City is home to the International Surfing Museum, the Surfing Walk of Fame, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Harbour and the Huntington Beach Art Center. Huntington Beach draws some of the largest crowds in the world to such professional sporting events as the U.S. Open of Surfing, Van’s World Championship of Skateboarding and AVP Pro Beach Volleyball.
There are 35 elementary schools, five public high schools and one community college (Golden West College) located within Huntington Beach. The City has a world-class library located within the 365-acre Central Park as well as four additional branch libraries. In addition, Orange Coast College; the University of California, Irvine; and California State Universities at Long Beach and Fullerton are located in close proximity.
There are over 117,000 households within a five-mile radius of the Huntington Beach Civic Center. The average family household income is $122,851, ranking one of the highest in the nation based on the top 100 largest cities in the country.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT
Founded in the late 1880s, Huntington Beach was incorporated as a Charter City in 1909. Huntington Beach has a City Council/ City Manager form of government. The City Council has seven members who are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis, to four-year overlapping terms. City Council members are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms. There are three elected department heads - the City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The position of Mayor is filled on a rotating basis.
The City of Huntington Beach is organized into 13 major departments including City Treasurer, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Community Development, Community Services, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Services, Library Services, Police, and Public Works.
The City has approximately 1,600 full and part-time employees and a total budget of approximately $345 Million.
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