CITY OF OAKLAND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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1 CITY OF OAKLAND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SPECIAL COUNSEL Salary Range: Special Counsel: $146, to $179, annually (Salary based upon experience) Benefits: Health, dental, vision, retirement and other competitive benefits Recruitment Opens: Monday, August 4, 2014 Deadline to Apply: Open until filled. THE POSITION The Oakland City Attorney s Office seeks a well-qualified, motivated individual for the position of Special Counsel. This is a senior management position that will handle highlevel, complex matters and may report to either the City Attorney or one or both of the two Chief Assistant City Attorneys. The City Attorney may assign the selected attorney to new, additional or different duties or practice areas in either litigation or transactional work. Agency Description The City Attorney s Office provides legal advice and counsel to the City in areas including but not limited to land use, real estate, personnel, elections, conflicts of interest, municipal finance, retirement, housing and economic development. Services include drafting and reviewing contracts, legislation and other documents, and providing counsel to the City Council, City Council Committees, Mayor, City Boards and Commissions including the Oakland Municipal Employees Retirement System Board, City agencies and departments and various citywide task forces. The City Attorney s Office also advocates the City s interests in claims and lawsuits litigated in state or federal court and including high-value personal injury cases, complex civil rights actions, breach of contract, personnel disputes, eminent domain actions, inverse condemnation and alleged Constitutional violations. Attorneys frequently work collaboratively with other attorneys in the Office and with other City Departments on a wide variety of issues. Job Description The Special Counsel provides complex professional legal services on specific programs, cases and projects which require the highest levels of experience, specialization and professional expertise.

2 The incumbent will perform a variety of professional legal duties involving complex civil municipal law issues including management of practice areas and case management. Duties may include preparation of cases for trial, drafting and review of legislation and other documents or preparation of legal opinions that require the application of specialized expertise. Special Counsel may be assigned to oversee and handle major projects, cases, and/or matters. The incumbent will be expected to independently exercise the highest level of professional judgment and skill in the performance of all assignments. Duties may include but are not limited to: Assigning and performing legal research, interpreting and applying laws and court decisions. Preparing and reviewing legal opinions, ordinances, resolutions, service contracts, deeds, leases, dispositions and development agreements. Handling and overseeing the most complex matters and issues in any of the municipal law practice areas such as real property, real estate, land use, labor/employment, tax, retirement, finance, elections, constitutional law, risk management, police conduct, appellate and trial practice. Representing the City in litigation brought by or against the City, preparing cases for trial, hearings and arbitrations. Managing cases, trials, hearings and projects handled by assigned staff. Meeting and negotiating with outside parties in matters arising out of claims, property transactions and other City business. Acting in an advisory capacity at meetings of the City Council, City Boards and Commissions, and advising City departments on legal matters. Overseeing investigation of claims and complaints by or against the City and reviewing recommended actions. Reviewing staff reports and writing City Council reports.

3 Overseeing outside counsel. Exercising sound judgment and clearly explaining legal advice to attorneys and lay people, defending legal analyses. May act as City Attorney or Chief Assistant City Attorney in their absence. Attendance at some evening and late night meetings is required. Minimum Qualifications One year of increasingly responsible work experience comparable to a Deputy City Attorney IV in the City of Oakland OR - Minimum ten years professional experience in relevant areas of law. Candidates must have excellent writing and oral argument skills. Education: Graduate of accredited school of law. License or Certificate A member in good standing of the California State Bar. Incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to assignments and hours or work, public transportation may not be an efficient method for traveling to required locations. Selected individuals will be required to maintain a valid California Driver s License during City employment or demonstrate the ability to travel to required locations in a timely manner. Desirable Skills Language skills, especially in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin. Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, ordinances and codes affecting City government. Experience in management of attorneys/legal teams. Ability to Interpret and apply various government codes and ordinances. Conduct research on legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions. Analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents. Present cases in court and administrative proceedings. Handle stressful and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.

4 Provide professional leadership, guidance and technical expertise to assigned staff. Work independently or as part of a team. Form or work with a multidiscipline team. Manage multiple demanding programs, cases and projects with competing deadlines. Communicate effectively in both oral and written form with City officials, representatives of outside agencies and the public. Complete varied assignments within a narrow time frame. Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. Inspire confidence and respect for legal advice. Skillfully and professionally present legal advice to clients including the elected and high-level appointed officials. Benefits The City of Oakland offers an excellent salary and benefits package. The benefits package includes: Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement. Dental plan and orthodontics for employee and dependents. Vision plan for employee and dependents. Health plan fully or partially-paid, depending on your plan choice. Life insurance. Management leave, vacation leave, sick leave and holidays. Deferred compensation plan. Professional Development Allowance HOW TO APPLY Submit a completed City of Oakland employment application, current résumé and complete the attached supplemental questionnaire by mail or in person to: City of Oakland, Office of the City Attorney One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 6th Floor Oakland, CA Attention: Jamie Smith This job announcement and additional employment information including the application form is available on-line at: The City of Oakland is an Equal Opportunity / ADA employer Page 4 of 5

5 Supplemental Questionnaire Special Counsel Recruitment Opened: Monday, August 4, 2014 Deadline: Open until Filled The purpose of this supplemental questionnaire is to assess your qualifications, training and experience in specific job related areas. Your answers to these questions, along with your 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. Responses must be legible and typewritten responses are preferred. 1. Fully describe your most complex legal matter, including but not limited to litigation experience, including trial preparation and trial and appellate practice, arbitrations, transactional matter or project. What was your role and what was the outcome? 2. Provide three writing samples for which you were the primary author. Redact any identifying information if necessary. 3. Describe your experience with management of attorneys or legal teams and/or as a mentor or subject matter expert or resource to other attorneys. Certification of Applicant I understand that all information provided herein is subject to verification, and is true to the best of my knowledge. Signature Date Page 5 of 5