Assistant City Attorney - Labor and Employment

The City of Oxnard's City Attorney's Department is seeking a well-qualified, highly motivated Assistant City Attorney to provide sound and ethical legal advice. The City seeks an Assistant City Attorney with a labor and employment background and litigation experience to work in partnership with the City Attorney. This position will focus on employment law, including personnel matters and labor relations, and be the primary point of contact to provide legal advice and opinions to City departments on employment-related issues. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with experience serving public sector organizations.

What You'll Do:

• Work closely with the Human Resources Department to handle employment and labor law issues.
• Litigate employment and labor law issues in administrative tribunals and in state and federal courts.
• Thoroughly research and analyze problems, evaluate risks, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically all while exercising sound and independent judgment that follows the general policies, guidelines and legal parameters of federal and state laws, regulations, and constitutional provisions applicable to municipalities.

Under general direction, the Assistant City Attorney provides a wide range of professional legal services to all City departments and divisions, City Council and various boards, commissions, committees; may assist in coordinating the work of contract attorneys on complex or specialized matters; and performs related duties as assigned.

Payroll/Classification Title: Assistant City Attorney

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Assistant City Attorney is the advanced journey level in the professional legal series. This class is distinguished from the next lower class of Deputy City Attorney II by the level of difficulty and complexity of responsibilities performed. An incumbent in this class is expected to frequently use a high degree of independent judgment and is expected to represent the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings as required.

Supervision Received/Exercised: General direction is provided by the City Attorney. The Assistant City Attorney may exercise technical or functional supervision over Deputy City Attorneys, paralegals and clerical staff.

Work Schedule: The normal work week is Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and alternating Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Depending on the work assignment staff may be assigned to a shift that is outside the standard work hours. In addition, this position may be required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. The standard work environment varies depending on assignment but is typically either dependent on each position which is primarily in an office setting or out in the field. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Provides practical and proactive legal advice to all departments on labor and employment related matters including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, employee discipline and performance management, labor relations, employee benefits, employee accommodations and recruitment.
• Defends the City and City management in employment litigation matters before administrative tribunals and in state and federal court and oversees employment cases handled by outside counsel.
• Writes position papers in response to charges filed with the Department of Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Represents the City in arbitration and grievance matters derived from discipline and labor issues and any ensuing writ litigation in state court.
• Supports HR led employment investigations and oversees investigations conducted by outside counsel.
• Represents and litigates workplace violence restraining orders and gun violence restraining orders.
• Works closely with the Police Department providing advice on operational and personnel matters and provides representation in connection with Pitchess motions and other court matters.
• Helps oversee public liability litigation and the prosecution of misdemeanor violations of City ordinances.
• Attends meetings of boards, commissions and committees as may be required; renders legal advice as requested.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the City, recommends action to be take.
• Represents the City Attorney at various meetings, functions and proceedings when necessary.
• Responds to citizen complaints and requests for information.

The following are minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• The equivalent of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of employment and labor law or related experience.
• Membership in the State Bar of California.
• Additional certifications, licenses, endorsements and training may be required, depending on assignment. You may be required to submit documented proof of these requirements.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing.

About the Benefits

In exchange for all your hard work and determination, you will receive a competitive salary of $198,059 to $257,477, negotiable based on experience and qualifications, along with a wide host of benefits including:

• Enjoy CalPERS Retirement membership: Classic 2% at 55, New 2% at 62; your contribution secures your future; no Social Security participation.
• 12 paid holidays off per year.
• The City contributes 4.5% of employee base salary to the City-sponsored 401 (a) plan.
• The City contributes 1% of employee base salary to a Retirement Health Savings Program.
• Leave accrual rates vary between 6.24 – 11.78 hours per pay period based on years of service with the City of Oxnard.
• 60 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year.
• The City will contribute $2,054.00 monthly towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back with proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will continue to provide $66.79 per month towards dental insurance.
• One-Time Cash Payments: In lieu of cost of living adjustments, the City will provide a one-time cash payment for the years specified below. Employees must have worked the 12 months (2080 hours) preceding the payment to be eligible for the full amount. Employees who worked less than the 12 months (2080 hours) requirement, will receive a prorated amount based on the total number of hours they have worked.
• First full pay period July 2026- 3% of base salary
• First full pay period July 2027 - 3% of base salary

If you share our passion for city growth and possess the skills for success, apply now!

Application Process:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, regular, and temporary assignments. There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy in the City Attorney's Office.

Union Membership: Regular full-time and part-time positions in this classification within the City Attorney's Office are unrepresented and follow Resolution 16,006.

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough background investigation.

Note: For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12 month probationary period.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees