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 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 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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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.

• 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.

• 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

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.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENING

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

THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• 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.