1 jobs found

job description DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY WATER & ENVIRONMENT SECTION DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER DIVISION ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: DCA II $115,696 - $169,148 DCA III $151,442 - $221,390 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 DWP Division acts as General Counsel to the Board of Water & Power Commissioners, its officers, and employees. Division attorneys are responsible for legal representation, counsel and advice, and handling litigation related to DWP operations. Duties and Responsibilities The Office of the City Attorney has an immediate opening for an experienced attorney interested in representing the Department of Water and Power (DWP) on legal matters involving water, environmental, and natural resources law. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong oral and written skills and enjoy a team-based approach to representing clients. The attorneys in this Section advise LADWP as it navigates the legal challenges associated with transforming from a utility founded in the 20th century into one that intends to provide the vast majority of its power from renewable sources by 2035 and to drastically increase the amount of recycled water supplied to its customers. The legal implications of climate change and the essential actions to adapt to it are among the most pressing legal issues facing both the water and power systems. The responsibilities of this position are generally representing and advising DWP’s Water System on issues involving the Los Angeles Aqueduct system, groundwater rights, purchased imported water supplies, storm water and recycled water projects, and contaminated site remediation. Advising the Power System on mandatory environmental regulations affecting its operations are also integral to the work. The scope of work includes analyzing and litigating matters arising under state and federal laws, including the California Water Code, the Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Fish and Game Code, the California Environmental Quality Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, and other relevant statutes. Responsibilities include representing DWP before various administrative agencies and State and Federal Courts, and handling legal matters that arise in Inyo and Mono Counties. Accordingly, the position requires occasional travel to other parts of the State, including the Eastern Sierra region, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Because DWP is a municipal utility and a proprietary department of the City, matters relating to the City Charter, general municipal law, the fixing of rates and enforcement of the rules and regulations under which DWP operates will be implicated. Requirements Five (5) years of practice in California and Federal Courts. Ability to review and draft contracts, ordinances, settlement agreements, resolutions, and Board letters; and the ability to draft clear, concise pleadings and motions and argue persuasively before courts, administrative hearing boards, and other tribunals. Licensed to practice law in all courts in the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Desired Qualifications The following qualifications are desirable: ? Previous civil litigation experience in water, environmental, and/or natural resources law; ? Previous experience as a regulator or prosecutor for environmental matters; ? Demonstrated analytical skills; ? Ability to deal effectively with public officials, departmental personnel, and members of the public; and ? Strong oral communication skills. Writing Sample Candidates must provide two (2) writing samples. 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 DWP Division is located at 221 N. Figueroa St., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 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) year probationary period as required by Section 1050 of the City Charter. Successful completion of the two (2) year probationary period will result in tenure with the office. Classification Placement in this position by a current City Attorney employee will initially be as a lateral transfer with the selected candidate assuming the position in their current classification, pending six months of satisfactory performance. Conflict of Interest This position is designated as Category 1 on the Conflict of Interest Code. Contact Questions? Please email atty.recruit@lacity.org. How to apply Application and Deadline Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, writing sample and resume in one (1) merged PDF file specifying DCA - DWP - WATER & ENVIRONMENT #3293 to Atty.Recruit@lacity.org. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. exempt employment If employment is said to be exempt, it is meant that the employment is exempted from the civil service provisions of the City Charter. In order to receive a regular civil service appointment, employees must have successfully participated in a civil service examination, received a high enough score on the examination to be placed on and receive an appointment from an eligible list, and they must serve a probationary period. Exempt employees do not compete in a civil service examination, they are not placed on an eligible list and receive an appointment from that list, nor do they serve a probationary period. As a result, exempt employees do not have what is referred to as a “property interest” in their job. Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority and can be terminated at any time without cause. Employees with a property interest in their job, i.e. civil service employees, cannot be deprived of their employment(discharged or suspended) without due process. General Information About Exempt Employment Exempt employees serve at the will of the appointing authority, and as such, they may be discharged, suspended or otherwise disciplined without cause. Exempt employees have no property interest in their employment, and any procedural benefit or other prerogative extended to them by their appointing authority is not intended to create and does not create any such property interest. No officer or employee of the City may make to any other officer or employee any representation of a property interest in employment which does not correspond to Charter provisions unless the City Council, by ordinance, permits such representation. No unauthorized representation can serve as the basis of an employee's reliance on, or expectation of, a property interest. Employees Seeking To Become Civil Service Employees There is no protective leave for an exempt employee appointed to a civil service position. Upon receiving a civil service appointment and passing probation, the former exempt employee will be subject to the Civil Service provisions described in Article X of the City Charter. Upon appointment, the civil service employee will begin to accrue displacement and layoff seniority on the first day of his/her civil service appointment and may file for promotional examinations for which s/he qualifies. A full or half-time exempt employee appointed to a full or half-time civil service position continues to: contribute to the Retirement System; accrue vacation time; accrue sick time; receive anniversary date salary increases; and, receive health and dental benefits identical to those received in the civil service position. 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 . Closing Date/Time: 1/31/24