City Attorney

Position Information

The City of Turlock is seeking a dedicated and experienced legal professional to serve as City Attorney.

The Community

In the heart of Californias Central Valley Turlock is the second largest city in Stanislaus County with a population that has grown steadily from 13992 in 1970 to 72219 today. Home to California State University Stanislaus the City provides an unusual opportunity to combine a quality learning environment with relaxed rural living and a small-town atmosphere and friendly attitude with the conveniences and opportunities of a larger city.

The backbone of the Citys economy is agriculture being located in the third richest agricultural county in the country. Turlock has become economically sound agriculturally elite and continues to seek growth and development that complements the citys business and industry and the needs of its residents.

Cultural art experiences sports activities twenty-four parks twenty one schools a full range of medical facilities the attractiveness of the nearby Mother Lode and the San Francisco Bay area and the Sierra Nevadas within a two-hour drive are all part of the pleasure of living in Turlock.

City Government

Turlock is a General Law City that operates under the Council Manager form of government. There are eleven city departments offering a full range of City services to the community.

City Managers Office

City Attorneys Office

Human Relations

Risk Management

Finance

Economic Development

Development Services

Municipal Services

Police

Fire

Information Technology

The City Council currently has approved budget allocations for 446 full-time employees. The General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is $. The unrestricted General Fund Reserve is $ and the assigned / committed General Fund Reserve is $for a total General Fund Reserve of $ which is 52% of the total Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund Budget.

Turlocks City Council is made up of five members including a mayor and a vice mayor. As the elected legislative body of the City of Turlock the City Council has overall responsibility for the scope direction and financing of City services. The City Council establishes local law and policy that is administered and implemented through staff under the Council Manager form of government. The Council is also responsible for establishing land use policies through the General Plan and zoning regulations. Under the Council-Manager form of government the City Council provides policy direction to the City Manager who is responsible for administering City setting policy the Council works closely with citizen advisory commissions and committees considers staff information and recommendations and receives input from interested parties and the public.

The City Council appoints both the City Manager and the City Attorney.

The Position of City Attorney

The career opportunity is the result of the recent resignation announcement of Turlock City Attorney. The City Attorney is the chief legal officer for the City of Turlock. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community while ensuring compliance with laws and supporting sound governance. In addition the City Attorney is responsible for handling or supervision of all litigation initiated against the City or on behalf of the City.

The City Attorney is also charged with prosecuting violations of the Turlock Municipal Code that contains numerous quality-of-life ordinances regarding animal control nuisance abatement and various business activity licenses. Unique to Turlock the City Attorney is a working member of the Executive Team consisting of the City Manager and Department Directors. Under policy direction the incumbent acts as legal advisor to the City Council City Administrative Staff and various boards and commissions of the City; represents the City in litigation; directs the Citys legal services; and to do related work as required.

The City Attorney is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.

This position is designated as Management for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Exercises policy interpretation and application for assigned program / functional area.

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate technical competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments.

Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with municipal codes ordinances City policy and related regulating entities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Policy direction is provided by the City Council.

The job incumbent may provide general supervision to subordinate level technical and clerical staff as assigned.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING :

Renders legal opinions to the City Council City Manager and Department Heads as requested

Analyzes legislation affecting the City

Prepares legislation contracts agreements and other legal documents

Reviews the legality or sufficiency of contracts bonds bids leases insurance and claims

Attends meetings of the City Council Planning Commission and various committees and boards as required and renders legal advice on matters on the agenda

Represents the City in litigation and administrative hearings

Prosecutes criminal violators of City laws and civil remedies to abate public nuisance recover for damages to City property condemns private property for public purposes and other matters

Supervises and reviews the work of legal and secretarial staff

Researches interprets and applies laws court decisions and other legal authority in the preparation of opinions and briefs.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

Organizations duties powers limitations and authority of City government and the City Attorneys office.

California codes and principles of administration and constitutional law

Methods of legal research

Purposes and functions of governmental agencies boards commissions and other governmental bodies

Ability to :

Conduct legal research

Evaluate facts and interpret the law

Investigate and prosecute civil complaints

Analyze and apply legal principles facts and precedents to legal problems

Present laws facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form

Supervise legal and clerical staff and establish effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Experience and Education

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be :

Experience :

Three years of experience in the practice of law for a governmental jurisdiction preferably a municipality.

Training :

Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.

License :

Admission to the Bar of the State of California and ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :

Physical Conditions :

Maintain the following physical abilities : See well enough to operate vehicles and equipment read instructionsandfollowdirections;hearwellenoughtodistinguishmechanicalnoisestoconverseonthe radio telephone and in person; use of hands and fingers for writing typing and other computer related functions; and be able to lift equipment as necessary.

SELECTION PROCESS :

1. All applicants must complete and return a standard Application for Employment form supplemental questionnaires and submit the following documentation :

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Proof of education is a copy of one of the following : a college degree or a college transcript.
• Proof of Bar license.

2. You may submit your required documentation using the following options :

Applications will be rejected if they are incomplete or required documentation is not attached.

3. Applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Applications will be rejected if incomplete or if all required documentation and the completed supplemental questionnaire is not submitted with the application.

4. In the event that a large number of applicants possess the minimum qualifications applicants who appear to be the most qualified based on their experience and education will be invited to compete in the testing process.

5. Candidates who are invited to participate in the oral examination and receive a score of 70% or more will be placed on an eligibility list. Ranking on the eligibility list will be based solely on the results from the oral exam.

6. Completion of a practical exercise may be conducted in order to further evaluate skills relating to essential job functions.

7. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be referred to the Turlock City Council for final appointment consideration.

8. Final appointment will be contingent upon passing the following : reference review medical examination which includes a drug / alcohol screening hearing exam and vision exam.

VETERANS PREFERENCE SYSTEM

The City of Turlock has adopted a veterans preference system (effective January 1 2002). The percentage score achieved through an entrance (non-promotional) examination which ranks applicants on an eligibility list shall be adjusted to provide : (a) one (1) percentage point added to the final test score for each six (6) months of active service during a time of armed conflict up to a maximum of five (5) points and (b) five (5) percentage points added to the final test score for veterans who are disabled as a result of active military service during a time of armed conflict regardless of length of service. To receive preference points applicants must provide supporting documentation and proof of honorable no event shall an applicant receive more than a five (5) point adjustment. This request should be made in section #12 of the employment application form. A copy of your DD214 must be attached for this request to be considered.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Turlock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are sincerely interested in receiving applications from qualified minorities women and the disabled. Qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin ancestry age marital status physical or mental disability medical condition political affiliation or belief except where indicated by requirements of the job. The City of Turlock will make every effort to accommodate applicants that have disabilities that would not allow them to compete in the announced process. Applicants are asked to indicate their request for accommodation in the application form.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND DRUG / ALCOHOL SCREENING

The incumbent will be required to take a medical examination including a drug / alcohol screening and be fingerprinted.

CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY

The City of Turlock is committed to quality service to our customers. Our goal is to create a positive productive and courteous atmosphere for our employees and customers. Employees are evaluated on the quality of customer service they provide.

THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The annual salary range for this position is $240468.00 - $292284.00.

The City offers the following excellent benefits :

Vehicle Allowance : $200 per month

Masters Degree / Juris Doctorate Pay : 2.5% base salary

Longevity : 1.5% base salary beginning at the 10th 15th and 20th years of employment (total 4.5%)

Bilingual Pay : 2.5% base salary will be paid for Spanish and Portuguese bilingual skills as evidenced by an examination. Additional languages may be approved at the discretion of the City Manager.

CalPERS Defined Benefit Pension :

Deferred Compensation : The City will contribute 3.5% to the Citys 401 deferred compensation plan with an 8% employee contribution (must be elected at time of hire).

Health Insurance :

Retiree Health Savings (RHS) Vantage Care : Three percent (3%) of the employees base payroll will be deposited in the employees (RHS) Vantage Care Account. Each year employees who have more than 100 hours of vacation will convert 10 hours of vacation time at base salary to their RHS account. At retirement employees may convert the value of 50% of accrued sick leave to the RHS account.

Life Insurance / AD&D : Basic life / AD&D insurance equal to 1.5 xs annual salary plus $5000 not to exceed $500000.

LTD / Salary Continuation : Long-term disability coverage of 66.67% of monthly salary to a cap of $10000.

Professional Development : $700 per fiscal year that may be used for college courses seminars non-covered job-related conferences subscriptions or books and computer hardware or software. The unused annual allowance may be cashed out at $100 less.

Paid Leave : 10 hours per month of vacation and increases with years of service; 80 hours management leave per fiscal year (prorated based on hire date); 11 paid holidays; 16 hours floating holiday; and 12 days of sick leave. Vacation and management leave may be cashed out annually subject to the Citys established rules.

In-lieu Time Off (December) : 40 hours

City Cell Phone Stipend

NOTES :

Information contained herein does not constitute an expressed or implied contract as it is subject to change.

Where to Apply

City of Turlock

Human Relations Department

156 S. Broadway Suite 235

Turlock CA 95380-5454

or

Visit our website at to apply.

Continuous Until Filled.

First Review of Applications : Friday December 5 2025

Cell phones are typically incompatible with online application format or browsers. we recommend using a desktop or laptop Computer. If your are still having technical difficulties please call NEOGOV at 1-.

Key Skills

Clerical,Diploma,Foreclosure Paralegal,Flight Operations,Construction Equipment

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 20039 - 24357