THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Chico, CA is offering an exciting career opportunity for a seasoned leader well-versed in California municipal law to serve as the City Attorney. With both a highly engaged City Council and City team, the next City Attorney will have the chance to provide first-class legal services in a friendly, productive, and collegial municipal law environment.

THE CITY OF CHICO

The City of Chico, with a population of approximately 110,000, is the largest city in Butte County. Home to Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipally owned parks in the nation, Chico has many recreational opportunities in the area. With an average of 172 sunny days a year, Chico provides quick access to hiking, skiing, boating, hunting, and fishing in the foothills. California State University, Chico continues to be a significant influence on the local community and is a key employer and contributor to the local economy. The city offers a learning community with a rich culture and a young spirit. Chico is known as a well-managed city that values quality infrastructure and services and maintains a special sense of community and small-town living as it has developed into a vibrant regional center for business, recreation, and cultural activities. Chico is a magnet for individuals seeking an environment where you can live and work while enjoying unparalleled access to outdoor recreation and the social spirit of an involved community.

THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

In recent years, legal services have been provided to the City of Chico via a contract with an outside firm. The City Council has recently decided to bring the legal services “in-house” by hiring a candidate as a City of Chico employee to serve in the City Attorney role. The City Attorney’s office will initially be staffed by the next City Attorney and a legal/administrative assistant who will be selected at a later date by the City Attorney.

THE POSITION

Appointed by the City Council, the City Attorney performs professional and administrative work as the Chief Legal Counsel of the City and provides legal counsel to the City Council, Mayor, City Manager, department heads, commissions, boards and agencies of the City. The City Attorney prepares resolutions and ordinances for the City Council; provides the legal defense for all civil and criminal actions brought against the City; and prepares legal documents for the City Council, Planning Commission, and other commissions, boards and agencies of the City. The City Attorney is the administrative head of the office of the City Attorney. The City Attorney is responsible for fostering cooperative working relationships with City departments, intergovernmental and regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups. Key responsibilities include providing highly complex and professional staff assistance to the City Council, City Manager, and other City departments; rendering opinions in writing and verbally for the City Council, the City Manager, boards, committees, commissions, and City staff regarding routine and complex matters; managing the work of outside contract legal services in a variety of specialty areas; representing the City in all civil cases in which the City or any of its officers or employees are parties; prosecuting or assigning prosecution of all civil and criminal cases to address violations of city codes, standards, or policies; and advising the Mayor and City Council on all legal matters and attending all City Council meetings to provide legal advice as requested.

The City Attorney must be a solid municipal law leader with a style characterized by collaboration and partnership. Under the direction of the City Council, this position serves as the City’s top legal advisor. The ideal candidate will possess a deep knowledge of municipal government and be skilled in providing advice and counsel to a vibrant local government entity. This experienced professional will also have excellent communication skills, a solution-driven approach, and an appreciation for technology to enhance and streamline workflow with a focus on improving turn-around time.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law.

• Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of legal experience, including five (5) years in the municipal arena.

• Licensure: License to practice law in the State of California is required.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The City of Chico offers a competitive compensation and benefits program. The base salary for the City Attorney position is up to $250,000 annually DOQ. Chico’s excellent benefits program includes retirement provided by CalPERS with an enhanced retirement formula of 3% @ 60 for Classic Members and a 2% @ 62 formula for new CalPERS members.

For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Interested candidates should apply no later than Friday, July 11, 2025, by submitting a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter below.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100