Chief Assistant City Attorney

City Of Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Attorney, Bar Membership, Budget Management, Conferences, Driver's License, Employee Benefits, Fire Safety, Government Regulations, Legal, Litigation, Office Management, Operations Management, People Management, Regulations
LOCATION
Bakersfield, CA
POSTED
30+ days ago

Chief Assistant City Attorney

Salary

$235,000.00 Annually

Location

CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time (Use Regular Full-Time)

Job Number

02450

Department

City Attorneys Office

Division

Administration (CAO)

Opening Date

04/22/2026

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

Description

CLOSING DATE: Continuous, the application filing may close any time after ten days from the issue date of this job announcement if sufficient qualified applications have been received. Postmarks are not acceptable; therefore, it is important to submit your application as soon as possible. First application review on May 22, 2026.

Interim position under direction of the City Council and in partnership with the City Attorney, provides executive management oversight of all legal matters and delivers strategic counsel to City Council, Mayor, City staff, Boards and Commissions; performs highly specialized and complex municipal, civil and criminal legal work in representing the City, including organization and supervision of department staff, and; Performs other work as required.

Representative Duties

The following typical tasks and responsibilities are representative of the positions essential duties. They are descriptive, not limiting. Essential Duties: Assumes full management responsibility in planning, organizing, and managing the operations of the City Attorney's Office including supervision of professional and clerical staff; Directs and oversees all legal affairs, including disputes, administrative hearings, litigation, and regulatory matters; Determines and approves legal strategies, including the use and management of outside counsel; Directs and/or prepares complex statistical and narrative reports, correspondence, and other documents; Develops and administers department agreements and oversees department budget; Attends meetings of the City Council, Boards and Commissions; attends meetings, conferences, and workshops as assigned; makes presentations to various groups and individuals.

Click here for: Job Specification & Informational Brochure.

Minimum Qualifications

Applications will be accepted only from those applicants who clearly demonstrate on the COMPLETED application & supplemental questionnaire that they meet the below requirements:

  • A Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law; AND
  • Ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law including five (5) years in California municipal law and three (3) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity. OR
  • An equivalent combination of training, certification, and experience, which provides the capabilities to perform the described duties.

Licenses, Certificates or Special Requirements:

  • Possession of a valid California Class "C" driver's license.
  • Active member in good standing with the California State Bar Association.

Examination (Weighted: 100%)

Week of June 8, 2026 (Tentative)

An appraisal will be made of the applicants experience, education, training, certification, knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal qualifications for the position. A minimum passing score of 70% is required.

NOTE: Admission to the Examination may be limited to those applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications. Applicants possessing the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed admittance to the Examination. Employment applications must be properly completed in accordance with instructions on face of application form. All pertinent information needed to determine that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications must be shown on the application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire; otherwise, the application may be rejected. NOTE: POSTMARKS will not be accepted Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of COMPLETED application.

Full Summary of Benefits by Bargaining Unit:

  • Blue & White Miscellaneous Unit
  • Fire Safety Unit
  • Police Safety Unit
  • Police Trainee Unit
  • Supervisory & Management Unit

INSURANCE: The City and the employee share contributions for premiums for health insurance coverage. The City provides life insurance benefits based on bargaining unit. Visit the Cityweb Employee Benefits page for detailed information (rates and plan information).

RETIREMENT: Benefits are provided by the Citys participation in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). 2% @ 62 for new hire Miscellaneous and 2.7% @ 57 for Safety (Fire & Police). Visit the Citys Retirement Info page for additional information.

01

Have you graduated from an accredited American Bar Association law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree?

  • Yes
  • No

02

Are you an active member of the California State Bar Association?

  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you possess a valid class C driver's license, or out of state equivalent?

  • Yes
  • No

04

How many years of experience do you possess in the practice of law?

  • 1 - 2 Years
  • 3 - 4 Years
  • 5 - 6 Years
  • 7 - 8 Years
  • 9 Years
  • 10+ Years
  • None

05

Among the years selected in question #4, how many years involved experience in practicing California municipal law?

  • 1 - 2 Years
  • 3 - 4 Years
  • 5 - 6 Years
  • 7 - 8 Years
  • 9+ Years
  • None

06

Among the years selected in question #4, how many of those years involved experience supervising employees?

  • 1 - 2 Years
  • 3 - 4 Years
  • 5 - 6 Years
  • 7 - 8 Years
  • 9+ Years
  • None

07

Please select each of the following for which you have experience in:

  • Government agency law
  • Demonstration of civil litigation, including representation of either a plaintiff or defendant throughout a civil lawsuit process
  • Representation of municipal clients
  • Supervising attorneys or legal staff
  • None of the above

08

Please describe your work experience and dates for each selected item in question #7. Do not write "See application or resume".

09

I understand that all future correspondence with the City with regards to this recruitment, will be via e-mail provided on my application. Please keep your contact information up-to-date and ensure that your e-mail spam filter allows you to receive messages from HumanResources@bakersfieldcity.us. Note: All City examination notices are also available via your Government Jobs profile.

  • Yes
  • No

10

I understand that I must submit a completed Application, Supplemental Questionnaire, and Resume by the filing deadline, in order for my application to be accepted. (Your resume may be uploaded and attached to your on-line application, may be submitted via email to AdmHrs@bakersfieldcity.us., or faxed to (661) 852-2070.) The resume must reference the recruitment name and number, i.e. Chief Assistant City Attorney #02450 and be submitted to the attention of Tanya Wilson).

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Employer City of Bakersfield

Address 1600 Truxtun Avenue

Bakersfield, California, 93301

Phone (661) 326-3773

(661) 326-3773

Website http://www.bakersfieldjobs.us

About the Company

C

City Of Bakersfield