Senior Staff Attorney - Los Angeles

DEFINITION: This individual serves as the lead attorney advising the Housing Services Department, under the direction of the General Counsel. · The Senior Staff Attorney may supervise other attorneys advising the Housing Services Department as well as related support staff. They ...

Job description

DEFINITION:

This individual serves as the lead attorney advising the Housing Services Department, under the direction of the General Counsel.

The Senior Staff Attorney may supervise other attorneys advising the Housing Services Department as well as related support staff.

They will provide the Housing Services Department with legal services as may be requested by the Director of Housing Services and others including, but not limited to, full eviction service, staff training, and legal advice as it pertains to landlord-tenant, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodation and public housing laws, both federal and state.

They may also be required to support Assisted Housing (previously Section 8) Program operations including program administration, fraud investigations, assistance with administrative hearings, and respond to writs of mandate.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification differs from the Staff Attorney I and Staff Attorney II positions in the lead management responsibilities of the position.

This class is distinguished from other Senior Staff Attorney classifications by its essential functions, including but not limited to training others regarding relevant provisions of laws, policies, and best practices as they relate to HACLA and its legal services.

The Senior Staff Attorney assists the General Counsel in planning, directing, organizing and reviewing the service provided to the Housing Services Department.

Examples Of Essential Functions

Manages own caseload including commencing and completing evictions from receipt of case to resolution, including serving notices to vacate, filing and serving complaints, motions, responsive documents, and appearance at trials and/or other hearings.

Oversees outside counsel to ensure client goals are realized and that litigation is being handled efficiently and effectively.

Assists the Housing Services Department in initiating, developing, recommending, and implementing policies, procedures, and goals related to the eviction process, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodations, and public housing laws.

Reviews sections of the Agency Plan relevant to Public Housing, including the Public Housing Admission & Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), on an annual basis, and as needed, to provide recommended changes to ensure compliance with evolving legal and regulatory needs and emerging best practices in public housing.

Provides training to the Housing Services Department and to other HACLA employees regarding relevant laws, policies, and best practices.

Provides guidance documents to Housing Services Department staff to assist them in dealing with law enforcement and other third parties.

Must be able to develop and maintain positive working relationship/liaison with staff, fraud investigators, the Los Angeles Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.

Coordinates eviction activities with other Legal Department staff and trains management staff to ensure prompt and proper eviction actions; oversees Legal Department support staff.

Prepares and presents reports on department's activities as requested.

Advises and assists Housing Service staff in matters of landlord tenant, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodations, and public housing law.

Advises the Housing Services Department on prudent risk management practices to help lower its legal exposure, in the effective and efficient resolution of particularly complex tenant complaints, and in professionally responding to tenant advocates and members of the media.

Provides legal opinions on eviction-related, fair housing, and public housing issues as required, including but not limited to formal written opinions, under supervisory review.

Reviews all federal, state, and local laws and legal requirements relating to the eviction process and resident leases and recommends changes to ensure compliance.

Provides guidance as to new and emerging legislation that may impact public housing, including but limited to revisions to unlawful detainer law.

May assist in other legal matters, including legal research, and other matters affecting the Housing Authority including civil litigation as directed.

Assists Section 8 and other subsidized program operations as may be needed from time to time including program administration, best practices, policy updates, and assistance with administrative hearings including responding to writs of mandate.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications


Minimum Requirements:
Member In Good Standing Of The California State Bar.

Five (5) Years Of Litigation Experience As An Attorney, With At Least Three (3) Years In The Area Of Landlord/tenant (unlawful Detainer) Litigation.

Must Be Licensed To Practice Law In California. Candidate Must Also Possess

Strong legal research and writing skills.
Ability to lead and multi-task.
Manage a large volume of cases.
Strong Interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work with tenant advocacy groups and other third parties.

License Required:
Must be a member of the California Bar in good standing. Must also possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License at time of appointment.


Desirability:
Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills desirable.

Supplemental Information


APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education, and/or training. Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content. Only the most-qualified applicants will be considered and may be invited to the interview and selection process.


SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. The application must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation.


HIRING INFORMATION

All job offers are contingent upon providing a successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.

Candidates will start at step one (1) of an eight (8) step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with agency Personnel Rules.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

Testing Accommodations:

If you require an accommodation due to a physical, mental or learning disability, please call or less than 72 hours prior to testing date for special assistance.

Special testing accommodations may be arranged if verification of the disability is provided by a physician, rehabilitation counselor, or other authority.

Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation in any portion of the selection process should state their need in writing when submitting an application.

NOTE:

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

As a condition of new and continued employment, employees in this classification must participate in mandatory direct deposit of payroll.

Required

Pursuant to the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' Conflict of Interest Policy, new and existing employees are required to refrain from participating in activities, employment or enterprises, which are in conflict with public interest and/or with his or her duties as an employee of the Authority.

A copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy may be obtained by visiting our website at:

Please call NeoGov Toll-Free Applicant Support telephone line if you forget your password, have application login problems or get an error message during the application process.

HACLA Benefits*Short-Term Disability/Long-Term Disability/Mandatory Life:
*Pension Plan:*General Leave/Holidays/


PTO:
*Additional Optional Benefits:*Temporary Casual/Per-Diem employee are eligible to enroll/receive the following benefits:Note: Temporary casual/per-diem employees are able to work up to 40 hours per week as necessary.


Medical/Dental/Vision Plan:
HACLA will provide up to 100% of the CalPERS medical premium rate for Los Angeles, San Bernardino & Ventura Counties Kaiser rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
HACLA will provide 100% of basic Dental HMO rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
HACLA will provide 100% basic Vision coverage for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
$250 OPT OUT payment is available for employees with a qualifying health plan outside of the employer network.

Employees have the option to choose additional optional insurance such as Dental PPO, Custom Vision, additional medical coverage, and voluntary additional life insurance.

HACLA will provide 100% of STD/LTD/Mandatory Life premiums for all eligible employees to maintain the IRS 125 Plan
HACLA retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years.

For Classic members, the pension formula is 2.7% at 55 with members contributing 8% of their wages towards their retirement.

For PEPRA members, the pension formula is 2% at 62, with members contributing 7.75% of their wages towards their retirement.

CalPERS will make the determination regarding the type of membership for which the eligible employee will qualify.
Annual leave accruals vary, depending upon the type of job/position (membership in employee organizational group) and years of service. Length of service increases accrual rates by employee organizational group when service requirements are met.

Newly Hired Annual Accruals:
At-Will/Non-Represented accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
Council of Housing Professionals-Management accrual per pay period 4.15 hours (14 days annually)
Council of Housing Professionals-Administration accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
Service Employees International Union (Local 721) accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)

14 Observed Holidays:

New Year's Eve; New Years Day; Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday; President's Day; Cesar Chavez Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

12 Floating Holiday hours annually

Opportunity to earn up to 160 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) for eligible exempt employees as comp time per calendar year.

Employees may cash out up to 160 hours of accrued and unused PTO annually.
Pre-Tax Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
Group term life insurance
Flexible Spending Account Options
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Work Schedules
Partial Telework Program
Kaiser Medical Insurance - 50% employer covered medical through Kaiser Permanente if working 30 hours or more per week.
Paid Sick Time - At least 40 hours or 5 days of sick leave after 90 days of employment.
Eligible casual employees may enter as Classic or PEPRA members if qualifying requirements are met.
Per-Diem employees are not eligible for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
Availability of benefits are dependent upon employment eligibility status with HACLA*01

Are you a member in good standing of the California State Bar?

Yes
No

02

How many years of experience do you have in litigation, as an attorney?

Less than 1 year
More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
More than 2 years, but less than 3 years
More than 3 years, but less than 4 years
More than 4 years, but less than 5 years
5 or more years

03

How many years of experience do you have in the area of landlord/tenant (unlawful detainer) litigation?

Less than 1 year
More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
More than 2 years, but less than 3 years
3 or more years
Required Question