Salary: $193,013.00 - $258,070.00 Annually
Location : City Attorney's Office, 740 State St., Suite 201, Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number:
Department: City Attorney's Office
Division: City Attorney - Administration
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

DESCRIPTION
Advisory Attorney

(Assistant City Attorney III-IV)

THE POSITION

The City Attorney's Office seeks an experienced and collaborative attorney to serve as an Assistant City Attorney III or IV in an advisory capacity. The position provides legal counsel on a broad range of municipal law matters and works closely with City departments, the City Administrator's Office, the City Council, boards, and commissions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide timely, practical legal advice to City departments, the City Council, and City leadership.
• Advise on the Brown Act, Public Records Act, conflict-of-interest laws, ethics rules, and other laws governing public agencies.
• Draft, review, and negotiate ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, MOUs, policies, and other legal documents.
• Provide legal guidance on public contracting, procurement, competitive bidding, RFPs, contract administration, and risk allocation.
• Advise on water law, environmental regulations, utility operations, conservation programs, water supply, and interagency agreements.
• Research and analyze complex legal issues; prepare legal opinions, staff reports, and other written work.
• Attend City Council and board or commission meetings to provide legal advice and assist with meeting procedures.
• Present legal analysis and recommendations clearly to officials, City staff, and the public.
• Collaborate with attorneys across the office to ensure consistent and coordinated legal advice.
• Monitor changes in law and advise City officials on operational and policy impacts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Juris Doctor from accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California

Assistant City Attorney III:
Typically, seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in civil, municipal, or public agency law, preferably involving governmental clients. Annual salary range based on experience: $193,013 - $234,609.

Assistant City Attorney IV:
Typically, ten or more years of experience advising on complex municipal law matters, including significant experience in public contracting, land use, public works, or general municipal advisory practice. Annual salary range based on experience: $212,314 - $258,070.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Sound, practical judgment
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
• Effective time management and the ability to balance competing deadlines
• Collaborative problem-solving and commitment to client service
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

BENEFITS
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• CalPERS retirement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Deferred compensation (457 plan)
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life and disability insurance
• Ability to work remotely up to three days a week

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Applications should fully describe relevant education, training, and experience. Final candidates will undergo a background investigation and meet all pre-employment requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
COMMUNICATION
Applicants will receive updates via the email address listed on their application. Please check email and spam folders regularly. Status updates may also be viewed by logging into your governmentjobs.com account.

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT
This recruitment is open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as the filing period may close at any time.
STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to change:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• Deferred Compensation (457) Savings Plan is available.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A City-paid Employee Assistance Program is available for employees and family members.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Health Insurance including medical, dental, and vision benefits is available. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Management Unit Rate Sheet.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: Life Insurance: City-paid term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance (2x annual salary) is provided. Employee-paid supplemental life insurance is available subject to a health application if coverage is not elected during the new hire guarantee issue period.
• Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year.
• Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Vacation is accrued at 160 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Management Leave: 64 hours are provided each July 1st (pro-rated the first year).
• Personal Leave: 32 hours are provided each July 1st (pro-rated the first year).
• Retirement: The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
  • PERS Police Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 9% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 14% of salary.
  • PERS Fire Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 27.8% and employee contributes 10.5% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 14.72% and employee contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Short Term Disability Insurance: Optional employee-paid coverage is available.
• Long-term Disability Insurance: City-paid coverage is provided.
• Medicare: Employee pays 1.45% of salary towards future Medicare benefits.
• The City is an employer-member of the Coastal Housing Partnership which offers regular employees with home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.

Revised 12/1/2024
01

Please describe any professional history in public works contracting, environmental law (CEQA), and municipal enterprise funds, including the scope of your role in representing of clients, or agencies.
02

Describe your experience drafting legislation, contracts, and legal briefs. Include your employing agency or firm and your tenure.
03

Describe your experience working as a member of a team that includes professional engineers, planners, and other specialists.
04

Describe any professional history in land use law, including the scope of your role in representing of clients, or agencies.
05

Describe your experience drafting legislation.
06

Have you ever been convicted of a crime, including a plea of guilty or no contest, which resulted in a criminal conviction?
Do not include:
• Arrests that did not result in a conviction
• Convictions that a court has ordered sealed or expunged
• Juvenile adjudications that are confidential under law

Yes
No

If you answered "Yes," please provide the following information for each conviction:

a) Whether it was a felony or misdemeanor
b) The offense(s) of conviction
c) Date of conviction
d) City and state of the court
e) Court case number, if known
f) Final disposition, such as probation, fine, jail, or completed diversion
g) You may also briefly describe any rehabilitation, education, or work history since the conviction that you would like us to consider.

Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information in response to this question may result in disqualification from employment or, if discovered after hire, may result in termination of employment.

NOTE: The City will not automatically deny employment because an applicant has a criminal conviction. The City will consider, as required by applicable law, factors such as the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the offense or completion of the sentence, and the nature of the position sought before making any employment decision.
Required Question