Description:
Position Information:Join our team of attorneys and staff committed to improving our communities and the quality of life in Sonoma County.
Advance your legal career in public service as a Deputy County Counsel II - Litigation!
Starting salary up to $85.87/hourly ($179,220/annually) and a competitive total compensation package!*
The County Counsel department is currently recruiting to fill a Deputy County Counsel - Litigation position at either the II or III level. If you are interested in being considered at the III level, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment being conducted at that level.
Become a Valued Member of the County Counsel Team (https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/county-counsel)
Sonoma County Counsel, Robert Pittman, and his dedicated team work collaboratively with one another, both in the office and remotely, to provide the highest quality legal counsel and guidance to the County's various departments and agencies. County Counsel's highly motivated, collegial team of attorneys and staff are committed to providing excellent public services, improving and enriching the quality of life for all Sonoma County residents. Please visit County Counsel's website to learn more about the valuable public law-related services they provide which promote the public interest, protect financial resources, and achieve the County's programmatic and strategic goals. The Office of County Counsel is currently recruiting for a skilled litigation attorney for its Litigation Practice Group, which handles the majority of the County's litigation work, both defense and affirmative litigation. They primarily advise the following departments:
- Human Resources/Risk
- Sheriff's Office
- Probation
- District Attorney
- Public Defender
This position will be exposed to a variety of County Counsel's practice areas, such as County Operations, Resources, and Environment (CORE), and Health and Human Services. Our team members are innovative problem-solvers that work effectively together and independently, to prepare and present civil cases before various administrative bodies as well as state and federal courts.
This position is for governmental civil legal practice, with an expected focus on civil or public law litigation defense, including discovery, trial, writ, appellate work, Public Records Act compliance, and general public law.
Experience with or having a demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas is highly beneficial: civil litigation generally from pre-trial through appeals, employment and labor law, writs, probate law, land use law, including code enforcement, environmental law, administrative law, legislative drafting, contracts, housing law, real property law, Brown Act, federal Indian law, FOIA/PRA, water law, cannabis/agricultural/timber regulation, taxes and fees, and/or constitutional law.
As a career-oriented attorney and the ideal candidate to join our County Counsel team, you will bring your excellent research and writing skills, the ability to think strategically and creatively, a desire to assume responsibility and work cooperatively on complex cases, and the ability to work on fast-moving projects. Additionally, you will possess many of the following:
- Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Highly effective research, writing, and oral communication skills
- Initiative, high standards, and drive to set and the achieve goals
- A proven interest in continuous learning and professional growth
- Values that promote and support advancing the same motivations and qualities in others
- Commitment to upholding ethical standards and identifying and eliminating bias
What we offer:
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Deputy County Counsel III ($90.62 - $110.16/hour)
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3%/1.9% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
- Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
- Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) through the U.S. Department of Education
This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of legal experience practicing civil or governmental law as a licensed attorney.
Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Working knowledge of: written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition; the principles and application of civil and administration law; legal research methods; the duties, powers, limitations and authorities of the Office of the County Counsel; the organization, power, and limitations of local governmental functions; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California.
Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; prepare, present and conduct cases of law in court; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with other staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, members of advisory and policy-making bodies, the courts and the public; analyze and draft ordinances and other regulations.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
