Posting number: 0081/0776/0484-0326
Department: City Attorney's Office
Division: Advisory
Job classification: DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY I
Posting type: Open
Categories: Attorney
This recruitment will remain open until filled.The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on March 26, 2026, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.
NOTE: This posting is a job series in which applications will be accepted, reviewed, and considered based on the qualifications listed on the application. The candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and best meet the City's current needs will be invited to test at the appropriate job level within the series. Only ONE APPLICATION needs to be
submitted to be considered for this job series.
Deputy City Attorney I:$116,022.40 - $163,259.20 Annually
Deputy City Attorney II: $150,300.80 - $211,473.60 Annually
Senior Deputy City Attorney:$167,668.80 - $235,934.40 Annually
In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the "right person" to serve as Deputy City Attorney I, Deputy City Attorney II, or Senior Deputy City Attorney in our ADVISORY Division.
The Ideal Candidate has been practicing law in California for at least 2 years, with strong municipal law, government law, and or land use legal experience. The Ideal Candidate also has strong legal research and writing experience and experience in writing legal advisory opinions, briefing writs and appeals.
The Office of the City Attorney represents the City in all aspects of legal representation. In addition to handling lawsuits in-house, and prosecuting crimes at the local level, the City Attorney's Office advises the City Council and all City officials in all matters of law pertaining to the business of the City of Huntington Beach. Among other things, generally the City Attorney defends the City in lawsuits, including Writs and Appeals, prepares and/or reviews all City Ordinances, Resolutions, contracts and other legal documents. The City Attorney also prosecutes criminal cases arising from violation of the City Charter or Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and such State misdemeanors as the City has the power to prosecute.
Under general direction from the City Attorney and Chief Assistant City Attorney, the incumbent will be assigned to the Advisory Division of the City Attorney's Office. The Deputy City Attorney I or II perform routine to complex work, while the Senior level position will handle high leveladvisory assignments with emphasis in complex transactions, advising departments on environmental and land useissues, including CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, Coastal Act as well as in-depth knowledge of the Brown Act, PublicRecords Act, Political Reform Act and Roberts Rules of Order to serve as staff counsel to City boards, commissions andcommittees and may provide direction and assistance to less experienced attorneys at the Deputy City Attorney levels.Regarding day-to-day function, these positions received instruction or assistance commensurate with their experienceand position level.
Click here to view the full job description for Deputy City Attorney I
Click here to view the full job description for Deputy City Attorney II
In addition to duties listed above, Senior Deputy City Attorney (Advisory) also
Click here to view the full job description for Senior Deputy City Attorney
The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. The City, at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position or assignment is qualifying. A typical combination includes:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Deputy City Attorney I:
Education:Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Two (2) years' experience as a practicing attorney, preferably within a municipal law office or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
Deputy City Attorney II:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience:Four (4) years' experience as a practicing attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver'S license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
Senior Deputy City Attorney:
Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate degree.
Experience: Five (5) years' experience as a practicing trial or advisory attorney within a municipal law office, or a private firm that has contracted with a public agency for legal services. State and Federal jury trial experience is desired for the trial counsel position.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Current member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.
Employees regularly assigned/required to drive a city or personal vehicle in the course and scope of work shall be required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull Notice program.
Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
The City of Huntington Beach is located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Orange County, 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. As the fourth largest city in Orange County, with a population near 200,000 residents, Huntington Beach is known as “Surf City USA” due to its abundance of beaches, sunny, warm Mediterranean climate and casual lifestyle. Huntington Beach covers 28 square miles of land, 26 square miles of water, and is the 24th largest city in California. With more than 8 miles of uninterrupted beach along the Pacific Ocean, the City also plays host to an annual visitor population of over 11 million people, especially during the summer, special events and weekends.
Founded in the late 1880s, Huntington Beach was incorporated as a Charter City in 1909. Huntington Beach has a City Council/ City Manager form of government. The City Council has seven members who are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis, to four-year overlapping terms. City Council members are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms. There are three elected department heads - the City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The position of Mayor is filled on a rotating basis.
The City of Huntington Beach is organized into 11 major departments, including Administrative Services, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, City Treasurer, Community Development, Community & Library Services, Finance, Fire, Police, and Public Works.
The City has approximately 1,600 full and part-time employees and a total budget of approximately $345 Million
