Salary : $218,248.99 - $268,336.43 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-08-9024
Department: City Attorney
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for a position as Deputy City Attorney IV in the City Attorney's Office. In this role, you'll provide high level legal support to City departments, boards, and commissions and represent the City in litigation. The City Attorney's Office is routinely involved in cutting edge litigation over issues of national interest, such as climate change and homelessness.

As the highest level in the Deputy City Attorney class series, this classification performs the more complex, politically sensitive work with a high level of independence. Positions at this level may have responsibility for cases of long-term duration.

The ideal candidate has litigation experience in state and federal courts and has acted as a lead on complex cases during all phases of trial. Appellate experience is welcomed.

See the full classification description here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
A Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school and six (6) years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of civil law, preferably in a municipal setting.

Other requirements include:
Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association. Must be willing to attend evening meetings. Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on August 31, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

EXAM PROCESS
The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application period close date)
• Competitive review of answers to the supplemental questions

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing the examination phase will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that the hiring department will use to conduct final selection interviews tentatively scheduled for mid-September, 2026.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $25,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation
New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

YMCA Membership
The City provides a subsidy of 75% of the membership fee for employees who choose to join the Downtown Berkeley YMCA.
(UNREP - GENERAL)
01

The Deputy City Attorney IV must be a current member of the California State Bar Association. Please enter your State Bar Licensee number below.
02

Briefly describe your experience with litigation in state and federal courts. If you do not have experience in this area, you may type N/A.
03

Briefly describe your experience leading complex cases during all phases of trial. If you do not have experience in this area, you may type N/A.
04

I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

• Yes

Required Question