The City of Richmond, CA is seeking a Senior Assistant City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney!

The City of Richmond is excited to offer two distinct opportunities for attorneys of varying experience levels. Each position is expected to provide general legal services on a wide variety of municipal law matters including providing legal advice to the City Manager, City Council, and all City departments, boards, and commissions and representing the City in court. Additionally, it is anticipated that these positions will have specific focus areas, with one concentrating on labor and employment law, while the other centering around land use matters. Municipal or local government related experience in either of these two areas of law preferred.

The attorney assigned to labor and employment will advise on a wide range of legal issues related to employment practices, labor relations, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This position will provide support with investigations, grievances, labor negotiations, EEOC complaints, disciplinary matters, provide day-to-day advice to the Human Resources Department, and work with outside counsel. Knowledge of the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA) and experience working in public sector labor and employment is highly desirable.

The second position is expected to focus on land use and zoning issues, which will also involve addressing associated environmental law issues such as those raised by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This role plays a crucial part in guiding the City through the intricate landscape of local, state, and federal land use laws and regulations, tackling diverse issues concerning current land uses, land acquisition, planned development, and the permitting process. A robust understanding of these realms is strongly preferred, making this an excellent opportunity for those well-versed in these areas.

The two positions may be filled at the Senior Assistant City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney level depending on the experience and qualifications of the candidate. An attorney at any of these levels, to varying degrees, provides a wide range of legal advice to City clients, in addition to managing and collaborating with outside counsel, negotiating on behalf of the City, and contributing to the development and implementation of legal policies and procedures to meet the City’s needs and legal requirements. The classifications are set apart by the level of complexity of work assigned and varying levels of supervision and decision-making authority. These positions operate within an at-will framework, serving at the pleasure of the City Attorney, and require individuals with strong analytical skills, legal acumen, and the ability to provide counsel to City departments, City Council, and other governmental bodies. The complete job descriptions for these two classifications can be found at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/richmondca/classspecs

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