Description:
Description:What We Offer The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package which includes the following:
The County Counsel's Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in all civil law matters. The County Counsel's Office is distinguished from the District Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office, which handle criminal matters.
The Department:
The County Counsel's Office employs approximately 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel. The working title for line-assigned attorneys is Assistant County Counsel, although the formal Civil Service classifications for the Assistant County Counsel positions are Civil Attorney I/II/III and Senior Civil Attorney. Five attorney positions are assigned to management of the Office, including the County Counsel. The individual assignments of Assistant County Counsels are varied, reflecting the breadth of functions performed by the County, and can include litigation, advisory and transactional duties.
The Position:
An Assistant County Counsel position is available in the Civil Attorney III or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending upon candidate experience. The position will advise and represent the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees regarding land use, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting matters. Applications are sought from motivated attorneys with subject matter familiarity and experience in any of the following practice areas: planning and zoning law and CEQA compliance; groundwater management, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and groundwater adjudication; and/or public works contracting and construction disputes.
Payroll Titles and Approximate Annual Salaries:
Civil Attorneys receive management benefits and are exempt from overtime compensation.
Tentative Schedule:
Examples of Duties:
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Typical Qualifications:
These are entrance requirements to the recruitment process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
Education and Licensing: All levels require graduation from law school and active membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience:
Civil Attorney III - A minimum of four (4) years of professional legal experience.
Senior Civil Attorney – A minimum of six (6) years of professional legal experience.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Must possess knowledge of and experience in at least one (1) of the following three (3) specialties representing public sector or private clients:
Special Restrictions And Requirements:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Comprehensive knowledge of: land use law, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting; Legal principles and their application; rules of professional conduct; rules of evidence; and legal research methods.
Comprehensive skill and ability to: Analyze complex legal claims and defenses; utilize legal research to find principles of law, statutes and cases on point; develop litigation strategies to accomplish client objectives; present statements of fact and argument clearly and persuasively in writing and orally; draft legal instruments and opinions; develop discovery plan and conduct all aspects of civil discovery; draft legal pleadings, briefs, and advisory memoranda; appear and advocate in state and federal court and administrative hearings; obtain the confidence and respect of members of the legal profession, public officials and other persons.
Recruitment Process
Final Filing Date: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
First review date is anticipated to be completed on or about December 1, 2025.
To apply on-line refer to web site: www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (http://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/docs/Lateral_Transfer.pdf) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) for additional information.
Note: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire, if applicable, to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement the information in the above sections; however, it may not be sub
- Annual Leave - The candidate selected for this position will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years of service.
- Annual Leave Redemption - The ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave within the previous 12 months. (Management Resolution, 1205)
- Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions. Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan.
- Health Plans – You are afforded a flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Employees may also participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase their spending power by reimbursing them with pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
- Pension Plan - Both the County and you contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
- Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
- Additional Benefits: Professional Memberships, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Program.
The County Counsel's Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in all civil law matters. The County Counsel's Office is distinguished from the District Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office, which handle criminal matters.
The Department:
The County Counsel's Office employs approximately 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel. The working title for line-assigned attorneys is Assistant County Counsel, although the formal Civil Service classifications for the Assistant County Counsel positions are Civil Attorney I/II/III and Senior Civil Attorney. Five attorney positions are assigned to management of the Office, including the County Counsel. The individual assignments of Assistant County Counsels are varied, reflecting the breadth of functions performed by the County, and can include litigation, advisory and transactional duties.
The Position:
An Assistant County Counsel position is available in the Civil Attorney III or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending upon candidate experience. The position will advise and represent the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees regarding land use, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting matters. Applications are sought from motivated attorneys with subject matter familiarity and experience in any of the following practice areas: planning and zoning law and CEQA compliance; groundwater management, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and groundwater adjudication; and/or public works contracting and construction disputes.
Payroll Titles and Approximate Annual Salaries:
- Civil Attorney III: $146,586.31 - $205,220.86
- Senior Civil Attorney: $170,370.62 - $238,542.22
- NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
Civil Attorneys receive management benefits and are exempt from overtime compensation.
Tentative Schedule:
- Opening Date: November 12, 2025
- Closing Date: Continuous
- First Review Complete: on or about December 1, 2025
- Examination Date: To be determined
Examples of Duties:
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Advises County officers, departments, and staff regarding land use matters, interpretation and application of County zoning ordinances, plans and policies, groundwater management, and public works contracting and construction disputes;
- Prepares and reviews staff reports, contracts, permits, real property instruments, and other documents for legal sufficiency; and corresponds with other entities and attorneys regarding same;
- Acts as legal adviser to County officers, departments, boards and commissions, including at public meetings and hearings;
- Drafts ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative measures;
- Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions, evaluates their impact on County operations and recommends appropriate action;
- Prepares formal written legal opinions.
- Prepares and reviews litigation documents such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and appellate briefs;
- Represents client agencies in court trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings, and appeals;
- Performs other related duties as required.
Typical Qualifications:
These are entrance requirements to the recruitment process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
Education and Licensing: All levels require graduation from law school and active membership in the State Bar of California.
Experience:
Civil Attorney III - A minimum of four (4) years of professional legal experience.
Senior Civil Attorney – A minimum of six (6) years of professional legal experience.
Necessary Special Requirements:
Must possess knowledge of and experience in at least one (1) of the following three (3) specialties representing public sector or private clients:
- Land Use
- Groundwater Management
- Public Works Contracting
Special Restrictions And Requirements:
- The County of Ventura Personnel Rules and Regulations prohibit County attorneys from engaging in the private practice of law for compensation.
- Pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974, the Assistant County Counsels must file a financial disclosure statement within thirty (30) days of appointment, and annually thereafter.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Comprehensive knowledge of: land use law, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting; Legal principles and their application; rules of professional conduct; rules of evidence; and legal research methods.
Comprehensive skill and ability to: Analyze complex legal claims and defenses; utilize legal research to find principles of law, statutes and cases on point; develop litigation strategies to accomplish client objectives; present statements of fact and argument clearly and persuasively in writing and orally; draft legal instruments and opinions; develop discovery plan and conduct all aspects of civil discovery; draft legal pleadings, briefs, and advisory memoranda; appear and advocate in state and federal court and administrative hearings; obtain the confidence and respect of members of the legal profession, public officials and other persons.
Recruitment Process
Final Filing Date: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
First review date is anticipated to be completed on or about December 1, 2025.
To apply on-line refer to web site: www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (http://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/HR/docs/Lateral_Transfer.pdf) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) (Download PDF reader) (https://get.adobe.com/reader/) for additional information.
Note: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire, if applicable, to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement the information in the above sections; however, it may not be sub
