- Salary
- $124k – $151k/yr
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA, CA, US
- Department
- Legal
- Source
- GovernmentJobs
Description
THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
The City Attorney's Office is responsible for all legal representation and advice for the City Council, Boards, Commissions and all City officers and staff in all matters of law pertaining to the City as well as all City code prosecution and litigation services.
The City Attorney’s Office is allocated 17.5 positions, consisting of ten attorneys (the City Attorney, Chief Assistant City Attorney, six assistants, and two deputies), one investigator, one business manager, two paralegals, and four clerical staff, which function as a close team. The City Attorney’s Office works closely with City Departments, including the Santa Barbara Police Department, Santa Barbara Fire Department, and Community Development Department and several other City agencies to enforce violations of the municipal code in the City of Santa Barbara.
THE POSITION
The Deputy City Attorney is an entry level position in the City Attorney's Office intended for advancement into higher level positions with greater responsibilities. This position will include advisory work to the City’s many departments.
Under the supervision of the Chief Assistant City Attorney, duties will include providing legal advice on municipal law matters to the City’s various departments, such as land use issues, Brown Act, Public Records Act, drafting ordinances and contracts, appearing before various City boards and commissions, and preparing written legal opinions. Strong legal research and writing skills are essential for this position.
The City Attorney's Office is responsible for all legal representation and advice for the City Council, Boards, Commissions and all City officers and staff in all matters of law pertaining to the City as well as all City code prosecution and litigation services.
The City Attorney’s Office is allocated 17.5 positions, consisting of ten attorneys (the City Attorney, Chief Assistant City Attorney, six assistants, and two deputies), one investigator, one business manager, two paralegals, and four clerical staff, which function as a close team. The City Attorney’s Office works closely with City Departments, including the Santa Barbara Police Department, Santa Barbara Fire Department, and Community Development Department and several other City agencies to enforce violations of the municipal code in the City of Santa Barbara.
THE POSITION
The Deputy City Attorney is an entry level position in the City Attorney's Office intended for advancement into higher level positions with greater responsibilities. This position will include advisory work to the City’s many departments.
Under the supervision of the Chief Assistant City Attorney, duties will include providing legal advice on municipal law matters to the City’s various departments, such as land use issues, Brown Act, Public Records Act, drafting ordinances and contracts, appearing before various City boards and commissions, and preparing written legal opinions. Strong legal research and writing skills are essential for this position.
The ideal candidate must be a member of the California State Bar in good standing, have strong organizational skills, and a positive and courteous attitude. Excellent public speaking, writing and legal research skills are required. Prior experience working for or representing a public agency or municipality is desirable but not required. Candidates with transferable experience and a demonstrated interest in public-sector or municipal law are encouraged to apply.
The ideal candidate will enjoy working and contributing in an office environment that emphasizes collaboration and flexibility, with frequent client and co-worker contact both in the office and at the clients’ various sites (Santa Barbara City Hall is distributed in a multi-block campus). The Santa Barbara City Attorney’s Office is highly computerized, so demonstrated experience with legal case management and automated document preparation applications is a plus.
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.
Open until filled. Apply by 5:30 p.m. on October 1, 2026 for priority consideration.
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.
Open until filled. Apply by 5:30 p.m. on October 1, 2026 for priority consideration.
Skills
Public Speaking
