Assistant City Attorney

Assistant City Attorney

Limited Term

Current Salary: $150,978.88 – $183,515.90 annually

+ CalPERS Retirement

Final Filing Date: 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2017

Supplemental Application and 2 Writing Samples Required

The Position

The City of Cupertino is currently recruiting for an Assistant City Attorney – Limited-Term. Appointment to this position is limited and will end no later than 3 years from the date of appointment. The limited-term appointment may be converted to a regular full-time appointment per the discretion of the City Attorney. Under general supervision, this position assists the City Attorney in the performance of duties and responsibilities as the legal counsel to the City of Cupertino (“City”), including drafting legal documents, assisting in the preparation and representation of the City in litigation, prosecuting City codes and regulations, conducting research and providing advice to City employees, and to perform related work as required. The Assistant City Attorney is the mid-level position for staff attorneys that serves the City Attorney’s Office. Incumbents are responsible for complex and routine professional legal tasks.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This classification is the intermediate level of the Attorney series. Incumbents perform legal work at an experienced level in all areas of municipal law that are applicable to the City of Cupertino.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Drafts, analyzes, and reviews ordinances, amendments to ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, releases, permits, licenses and other legal instruments;
• Assists in the preparation and provides legal advice to City Council, boards, commissions, committees, and City staff, and reviews and interprets legal authority which may include but is not limited to Federal, State, County, and City constitutions, charters, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, court decisions, and laws;
• Assists in the representation of the City, its officers and employees in all litigation including preparation of dockets, anticipating defenses, presenting evidence, developing case theory, pleadings, briefs, motions, and other documents, preparation and trial of legal matters and handling of appeals;
• Assists with claims process;
• Assists in the collection of debts and damages due to the City;
• Assists in the enforcement of City ordinances, building codes, and fire codes, and prosecutes violators thereof;
• Assists with interaction with outside counsel and other legal consultants;
• May act as a backup advisor to commissions at public meetings;
• May assist with City Attorney’s Office budget;
• May assist with administration of law library and computer legal research;
• May perform general law office administration including interface with public, accounts payable, among other things;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Local government law which may include but is not limited to Public Records Act, Brown Act, conflicts of interest, public contracts, employment practices, elections, land use & development, housing, CEQA, eminent domain, real estate, telecommunications, policies & procedures;
• Principles and practices of government and government programs including industry standards/best practices in assigned area of responsibility which may include but is not limited to Human Resources, City Clerk, Planning, Community Development, Information Technology, Finance, Parks & Recreation, and Public Works;
• Municipal ordinance prosecution principles; criminal principles; municipal laws and ordinances and court methods and procedures;

Ability to:

• Apply legal principles to determinations on individual cases, projects, and problems;
• Investigate and analyze legal issues and proactively develop creative solutions that contemplate practical implications;
• Perform legal research and analysis;
• Write quality legal documents and memoranda;
• Communicate in a manner that is organized, clear, concise, thorough, accurate, persuasive, and with appropriate tone
• Negotiate settlements and contracts
• Exercise independent judgment, making decisions when appropriate and seeking guidance/direction when necessary
• Maintain confidential information and to exercise discretion
• Use a computer and related software applications
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university; and one (6) year of experience as an attorney.

License or Certificate: Member in good standing with the State Bar of California and possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver’s license.

Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City meeting sites including outside field locations; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, 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 20 pounds.

Environmental Elements: 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 members of the public or with staff under stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The Selection Procedure

Applicants must complete an official City of Cupertino application and supplemental application and return it to Human Resources or apply online at www.calopps.org . Final Filing Date: Friday, March 10, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Failure to complete the supplemental application and provide 2 writing samples will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include a written examination and/or panel interview. An eligible list will be established as a result of this process and will remain in effect for 3 months from the date established. The City of Cupertino is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, sex (including gender and pregnancy), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Cupertino Human Resources upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

About the City

The City of Cupertino (population 60,000) is located against the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the west end of the world famous Silicon Valley. Rich in diversity, Cupertino is committed to becoming a model multicultural community for the 21st century. With one of the most diverse, technologically savvy, and nonpartisan populations in Northern California, Cupertino is quickly becoming a city that people like to talk about. Corporate headquarters blend with tree-shrouded residential neighborhoods that climb into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. This is the backdrop for living and working in Cupertino, California. Cupertino is home to many well-known high-tech companies like Apple, and offers a dynamic and exciting business climate. Winner of numerous state and national awards for excellence, Cupertino public schools are widely acknowledged to be models of quality instruction. Cupertino is also home to De Anza College, recently named the best community college in California. Quality schools and proximity to high-tech jobs and beautiful open spaces make Cupertino a desirable location for a highly educated and culturally diverse population.

Employee Benefits

Excellent supplemental Benefit package includes:

• CalPERS Retirement:
  • New employees to Cupertino hired after 12/29/12 with prior CalPERS (or reciprocal agency) service– 2.0% @ 60, City pays .75% of employee contribution and employee pays remaining 6.25%.
  • New employees with no prior CalPERS service or a break in CalPERS service of 6 months or more -– 2.0% @ 62 employee required by law to pay 50% of the Normal Cost which currently equates to 6.25%.
• Choice of health insurance, portion of premium paid by the City, and fully or partially paid premium for employee, depending on plan.
• Fully paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Fully paid dental insurance and partially paid vision insurance.
• Fully paid Employee Assistance Program.
• Educational reimbursement up to $1,350 for approved coursework.
• 12 holidays plus 20 hours of floating holidays annually; 8 hours of sick leave per month; 10 to 24 days of vacation annually; 40 hours of administrative leave annually.
• Cupertino Sports Center membership and $400 credit which can be used to pay for recreation activities and programs.

Employment Information

City employment applications may be obtained from the City of Cupertino Human Resources, 10300 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA, by calling 408.777.3227, or by visiting our website at www.cupertino.org . To apply online, visit www.calopps.org . Completed City employment applications and supporting materials must be received by the City’s Human Resources no later than the final filing date. Postmarks or late applications will not be accepted. Applications received through fax transmission by the final filing date are acceptable only on the condition that the original application is received no later than by 5 p.m. one week following the closing date. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to list work experience or stating “See Resume” in the employment history section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Appointment to this position is contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical paid for by the City, a pre-employment fingerprinted criminal history records check and the ability to provide verification of authorization to work in the United States. The City of Cupertino is AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract

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Supplemental Application

Assistant City Attorney

Final Filing Date: 5:00 p.m., Friday March 10, 2017

A completed supplemental application must be submitted along with a completed City of Cupertino Employment Application to be considered for the Limited-term Assistant City Attorney position.

The purpose of this supplemental questionnaire is to access the applicant’s qualifications, training and experience in specific job related areas. Applicant’s responses to these questions, along with the completed application will be used to select the most suitably qualified candidates. Applications submitted without a completed supplemental questionnaire will not be considered. Respond to each question fully, describing your specific experience and accomplishments. Please limit your response to 3 pages total.

1. Describe your legal experience relating to land use, employment practices, conflicts of interest, affordable housing, elections law, public contracts and the bid process, Brown Act, and Public Records Act.

2. Describe your experience serving as advisor to boards and commissions, and staffing public meetings.

3. Describe your interest in this particular position.

4. Please submit two writing samples by emailing them to lauram@cupertino.org or faxing it to (408) 777-3109.