Description
The City of Turlock is seeking a dedicated and experienced legal professional to serve as City Attorney.
The Position of City Attorney
The career opportunity is the result of the recent resignation announcement of Turlock City Attorney. The City Attorney is the chief legal officer for the City of Turlock. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community while ensuring compliance with laws and supporting sound governance. In addition, the City Attorney is responsible for handling or supervision of all litigation initiated against the City or on behalf of the City.
The City Attorney is also charged with prosecuting violations of the Turlock Municipal Code that contains numerous quality-of-life ordinances regarding animal control, nuisance abatement, and various business activity licenses. Unique to Turlock, the City Attorney is a working member of the Executive Team consisting of the City Manager and Department Directors. Under policy direction, the incumbent acts as legal advisor to the City Council, City Administrative Staff, and various boards and commissions of the City; represents the City in litigation; directs the City's legal services; and to do related work as required.
The City Attorney is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.
This position is designated as Management for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Exercises policy interpretation and application for assigned program/functional area.
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate technical competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments.
Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with municipal codes, ordinances, City policy, and related regulating entities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Policy direction is provided by the City Council.
The job incumbent may provide general supervision to subordinate level technical and clerical staff as assigned.
Requirements
Essential Functions:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
Renders legal opinions to the City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads as requested
Analyzes legislation affecting the City
Prepares legislation, contracts, agreements and other legal documents
Reviews the legality or sufficiency of contracts, bonds, bids, leases, insurance, and claims
Attends meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, and various committees and boards as required and renders legal advice on matters on the agenda
Represents the City in litigation and administrative hearings
Prosecutes criminal violators of City laws and civil remedies to abate public nuisance, recover for damages to City property, condemns private property for public purposes and other matters
Supervises and reviews the work of legal and secretarial staff
Researches, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Organizations, duties, powers, limitations and authority of City government and the City Attorney's office.
California codes and principles of administration and constitutional law
Methods of legal research
Purposes and functions of governmental agencies, boards, commissions and other governmental bodies
Ability to:
Conduct legal research
Evaluate facts and interpret the law
Investigate and prosecute civil complaints
Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems
Present laws, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form
Supervise legal and clerical staff and establish effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Experience and Education:
Experience and Training Guidelines
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:
Experience:
Three years of experience in the practice of law for a governmental jurisdiction, preferably a municipality.
Training:
Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
License:
Admission to the Bar of the State of California and ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
