Salary : $250,000.00 - $295,000.00 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: I2359
Business Area: 1211 - City Attorney
Personnel Area: 1400 - City Attorney's Office
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB INFORMATION
The protects the people of San Diego by serving as chief legal counsel to the City of San Diego's elected officials and operational departments; prosecuting and defending civil cases involving the City; and as the City's prosecutor on behalf of the People of the State of California, by holding accountable those who commit crimes against the public health and safety and violate other local and state laws. Our municipal law firm employs over 190 lawyers and approximately 230 support staff, dedicated to providing legal services to the City of San Diego.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office has an opening for the Assistant City Attorney in the Legislative Services & Community Protection Division (previously Council and Government Services Division). The Assistant will manage three units and work closely with the Assistant City Attorneys for Litigation, Administration, and Municipal Operations Division (previously Mayoral Operations). The position reports directly to the City Attorney and is a member of the City Attorney's Executive Team.

The Legislative Services & Community Protection Division has two distinct roles:

• The Division provides legal support to the City Council and independent City departments. The Assistant City Attorney serves as the liaison for the Council Offices to the City Attorney's Office, works closely with the Council President's Office, and provides legal support during Council meetings. The team serves as general counsel to the Housing Authority and advises numerous departments and offices, including the City Clerk, Independent Budget Analyst, City Auditor, Office of Government Affairs, Your Safe Place - the Family Justice Center, the Office of Boards and Commissions, Redistricting Commission, and the City's California Public Records Act administration. The ACA reviews and edits all ordinances and legal memoranda issued by the Division. The ACA may act for the City Attorney in her absence, sits at the dais with City Council to provide legal advice, and performs other related duties as assigned. The ACA also assists in developing training programs, leads or co-leads division-wide meetings, and has other managerial duties.
• The Division also houses the community protection work of the City Attorney's Office, civilly prosecuting cases on behalf of the People of the State of California to hold accountable those who commit crimes against public health and safety and who violate other local and state laws. The Division includes the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement, which administers and enforces the City's labor standards ordinances and ensures employers and contractors comply with the law. It also includes the Housing Protection and Civil Code Enforcement Unit (HPU) dedicated to ensuring that housing in San Diego is safe, fair, and livable. HPU takes a focused approach to addressing persistent code violations, substandard rental housing conditions, unfair business practices, and situations where there may be a pattern or practice of violating the Residential Tenant Protections or the Short-Term Residential Occupancy Ordinance.

The position is unclassified, at-will, and serves at the pleasure of the City Attorney.

To Apply:

To learn more about the position, please visit the San Diego City Attorney's Office
The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee's eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee's first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.