City Attorney

The City of Turlock is seeking a dedicated and experienced legal professional to serve as City Attorney. The Community In the heart of California's Central Valley, Turlock is the second largest city in Stanislaus County, with a population that has grown steadily from 13,992 in 1970 to 72,219 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 City’s 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 city’s 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 Nevada's 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 Manager’s Office City Attorney’s 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 $64,198,405. The unrestricted General Fund Reserve is $23,829,019 and the assigned / committed General Fund Reserve is $9,424,625 for a total General Fund Reserve of $33,253,644, which is 52% of the total Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund Budget. Turlock's 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 operations. In 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 City's 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 Attorney's 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;hearwellenoughtodistinguishmechanicalnoises,toconverseonthe 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 : Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option, or Fax a copy to (209) 668-5529, or Email a copy to jdhami@turlock.ca.us or Hand deliver copies of your documentation to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA 95380 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. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE SYSTEM The City of Turlock has adopted a veteran's 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 discharge. In 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 $240,468.00 - $292,284.00. The City offers the following excellent benefits : Vehicle Allowance : $200 per month Masters Degree 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 : Classic members 2.7% @ 55 – Employee contribution is 9% which is made on a pretax basis. PEPRA members 2% @ 62 - Employees shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the total annual normal cost of pension benefits or nine percent (9%), whichever is greater.. The City does not participate in Social Security; however, it does participate in Medicare and the employee portion is 1.45%. Deferred Compensation : The City will contribute 3.5% to the City’s 401 deferred compensation plan with an 8% employee contribution (must be elected at time of hire). Health Insurance : Medical Benefits - Health Plans with 90% of the premium for employee and eligible dependents paid by the City. Retiree Medical Insurance - Available (at full cost) to an employee who has completed 10 years of service. Dental & Vision - PPO with 90% of the premium for the employee and eligible dependents paid by the City. Employees with alternative coverage will receive a $475 per month deferred compensation contribution. Retiree Health Savings (RHS) Vantage Care : Three percent (3%) of the employee’s base payroll will be deposited in the employee’s (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 $5,000 not to exceed $500,000. LTD / Salary Continuation : Long-term disability coverage of 66.67% of monthly salary to a cap of $10,000. 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 City’s 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 (209) 668-6938 or Visit our website at www.cityofturlock.org 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 1-855-524-5627. recblid 8tsxt8i8a9linxb16hxd99gacwifnm