job openings

DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY
PORT OF LOS ANGELES (POLA)
Salary Range
DCA II: $115,696 - $169,148
DCA III: $151,442 - $221,390

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATES.
For current City Attorney employees this will be a lateral transfer.

About Us
The Los Angeles City Attorney's office is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the Office provides the City with the highest caliber of legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and playing a leading role in criminal justice reform, advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the People of the State of California.
Guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, accountability and transparency, we find great meaning in the work we do and the services we provide.

The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) Division handles all legal matters on behalf of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, the Los Angeles Harbor Department, and Harbor Department management and staff.

Duties and Responsibilities
Division attorneys work closely, under the supervision of the Division’s General Counsel, with the members of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, Harbor Department management and staff on a wide variety of legal matters pertaining to the operation of the Port. The selected candidate is expected to focus on litigation, both defensive and affirmative. The POLA Division routinely handles litigation and other matters arising in the following areas: real estate (including unlawful detainer and landlord-tenant litigation), insurance coverage under liability and other forms of specialized policies, employment and personnel matters, tort and contract claims not covered by insurance, and compliance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Air Act. While the selected candidate is expected to focus on litigation, they will also handle assignments involving other listed areas, depending on their skills and/or qualifications and the operational needs of the Division. Examples of these areas include:

? Municipal governance, primarily pursuant to the State Tidelands Act, Coastal Act, Los Angeles Charter and Administrative Code, California Public Records Act, and Brown Act.
? Real Estate, typically relating to leasing the property the Port holds in trust for the State.
? Transactional/Contracting/Financial/Business, relative to real estate matters; service contracts, insurance and other agreements related to Department operations, and strategic commercial matters; tariffs setting rates and charges and operating rules for use of Harbor Department facilities; and revenue bonds.
? Regulatory/Environmental, in relation to CEQA, NEPA, Coastal Act, CERCLA, RCRA, and Clean Water Act, among other laws. This practice requires frequent work with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department of Toxic Substance Control, California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management, and US Army Corps of Engineers.
? Construction/Development, and advice and counsel on project formulation and implementation, construction bidding and contracts and disputes.
? Risk Management, including Workers’ Compensation.

Requirements
? Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California;
? Minimum five (5) years relevant legal experience in one or more of the above-listed expertise areas;
? Demonstrated experience and success in civil litigation, with particular emphasis in one or more of the following areas: insurance coverage and insurance coverage litigation; defense of employment claims; real estate and/or landlord-tenant litigation, and environmental litigation (may include CEQA, CERCLA, Clean Air Act or regulatory agency practice);
? Ability to deal effectively with their colleagues, public officials, non-attorney department personnel and members of the public.

Desired Qualifications
? Strong written and oral communication skills;
? Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Writing Sample
Candidates must provide two (2) writing samples they personally authored in the last two years.

Benefits Offered

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tax-Advantage Spending Accounts
• Retirement Plan (LACERS)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457(b))
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• 13 Yearly Holidays
• Vacation
• Personal Leave
• Floating Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Bereavement Leave

Telework
This position may qualify for up to 3 days of telework per week.

Current Location
Los Angeles Harbor Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes, 5th floor, San Pedro, CA 90731

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
For candidates seeking initial City employment, in accordance with Los Angeles City Ordinance 187134, information regarding COVID -19 vaccination requirements as conditions of employment may be found at: https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2021/21-0921_ord_187134_8-24-21.pdf.

Probation
Appointment to this exempt position (non Civil-Service) will be subject to a two (2) years probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two (2) years probationary period will result in tenure with the office.

Classification
Internal applicants: Placement in this position will be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification. The candidate’s transfer will require approval from the CAO through the Prioritized Critical Hiring process.

Conflict of Interest
This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict of Interest Code.

Contact
Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org.