Deputy City Attorney II/III

City Attorney

Exempt | Location: Civic Center

Annual Salary

$124,068.00 - $234,920.00

contact information

Xochilt Chavira
xochilt.chavira@lacity.org

job description

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY

Water, Sustainability, and Environment Section

Department of Water and Power Division

Salary Range:

DCA II $124,069 - $181,405

DCA III $160,692 - $234,921

About Us

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including approximately 500 attorneys, it provides the City with the highest caliber legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform, advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California, and acting as general counsel to the City’s numerous departments and divisions.

We seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission, and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment, are key to making a positive impact.

Description

The Department of Water and Power (DWP) Division acts as general counsel to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, its officers, and employees. Division attorneys are responsible for legal representation, counsel and advice, and handling litigation related to DWP operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Water, Sustainability, and Environment Section of the DWP Division has an immediate opening for a mid-level attorney interested in representing DWP on legal matters related to water rights, water quality, sustainability, and environmental and natural resource issues. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong oral and written skills and enjoy a team-based approach to representing clients.

The responsibilities of this position include representing and advising DWP on issues involving water rights, the Los Angeles Aqueduct system, purchased imported water supplies, water quality, stormwater and recycled water projects, and contaminated site remediation. The responsibilities also include advising DWP on environmental regulations affecting its operations. The scope of work includes analyzing and litigating matters arising under state and federal laws, including the California Water Code, Fish and Game Code, and Health and Safety Code; the California Environmental Quality Act; the Clean Water Act; the Safe Drinking Water Act; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, and other relevant statutes. Additionally, the responsibilities include representing DWP before various administrative agencies and state and federal courts, and handling legal matters that arise in Inyo and Mono Counties. Accordingly, the position requires occasional travel to other parts of the state, including the Eastern Sierra region, Sacramento, and San Francisco.

Because DWP is a municipal utility and a proprietary department of the City, matters relating to the City Charter, general municipal law, the fixing of rates, and enforcement of the rules and regulations under which DWP operates will be implicated.

Requirements

A minimum of five (5) years of practice in California and/or federal courts. The ability to draft clear, concise pleadings and motions and argue persuasively before courts, administrative hearing boards, and other tribunals, as well as the ability to draft contracts, ordinances, settlement agreements, resolutions, and Board letters. Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Desired Qualifications

The following qualifications are desirable:

? Previous civil litigation experience, preferably in water, environmental, and/or natural resources law;

? Previous experience as a regulator or prosecutor for environmental matters;

? Demonstrated analytical and writing skills;

? Strong oral communication skills; and

? Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental personnel, and the public.

Requirements for Application

? Cover Letter

? Resume

? Writing Sample personally authored in the last two years.

Benefits Offered

· Medical, Dental, Vision
· Life Insurance
· Disability Insurance
· Tax-Advantage Spending Accounts
· Retirement Plan (LACERS)
· Deferred Compensation Plan (457(b))
· Employee and Family Assistance Program

· Paid Time Off

o 13 Annual Holidays

o Vacation

o Personal Leave

o Floating Holidays

o Sick Leave

o Bereavement Leave

Telework

This position may qualify for up to three (3) days of telework per week.

CurrentLocation

221 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. Position is subject to assignment at any location within the City of Los Angeles.

Probation

Appointment to this exempt position (non Civil-Service) will be subject to a two (2) year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two (2) year probationary period will result in tenure with the office.

Classification

Internal applicants: Placement in this position will be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their currentclassification.

Contact

This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict of Interest Code.

Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.

How to apply

Application and Deadline

Interested candidates should go to:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacityattorney/

to apply online.

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. Position will remain open until filled.

ConflictofInterest

exempt employment

If employment is said to be exempt, it is meant that the employment is exempted from the civil service provisions of the City Charter. In order to receive a regular civil service appointment, employees must have successfully participated in a civil service examination, received a high enough score on the examination to be placed on and receive an appointment from an eligible list, and they must serve a probationary period. Exempt employees do not compete in a civil service examination, they are not placed on an eligible list and receive an appointment from that list, nor do they serve a probationary period. As a result, exempt employees do not have what is referred to as a “property interest” in their job. Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause. Employees with a property interest in their job, i.e. civil service employees, cannot be deprived of their employment(discharged or suspended) without due process.

General Information About Exempt Employment

Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority, and as such, they may be discharged, suspended or otherwise disciplined without cause. Exempt employees have no property interest in their employment, and any procedural benefit or other prerogative extended to them by their appointing authority is not intended to create and does not create any such property interest. No officer or employee of the City may make to any other officer or employee any representation of a property interest in employment which does not correspond to Charter provisions unless the City Council, by ordinance, permits such representation. No unauthorized representation can serve as the basis of an employee's reliance on, or expectation of, a property interest.

Employees Seeking To Become Civil Service Employees

There is no protective leave for an exempt employee appointed to a civil service position. Upon receiving a civil service appointment and passing probation, the former exempt employee will be subject to the Civil Service provisions described in Article X of the City Charter. Upon appointment, the civil service employee will begin to accrue displacement and layoff seniority on the first day of his/her civil service appointment and may file for promotional examinations for which s/he qualifies. A full or half-time exempt employee appointed to a full or half-time civil service position continues to: contribute to the Retirement System; accrue vacation time; accrue sick time; receive anniversary date salary increases; and, receive health and dental benefits identical to those received in the civil service position.

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