Closing Date: 15th February, 2026
Description:
Under direction, provides professional legal services and representation, advice and assistance to County departments, employees, the Board of Supervisors and various committees and commissions; represents county governmental jurisdictions in legal and business matters; and performs related work as assigned.Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direction from the County Counsel. No supervision is exercised. May exercise technical and functional direction over assigned lower level Counsel and para-legal and clerical support staff.
Class Characteristics:
- Deputy County Counsel I - ($38.9964 - $47.4003 /hr.) is the entry level within this flexible series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform the less difficult and less-controversial assignments in the County Counsel's office under the direction and guidance of County Counsel or more senior attorneys. Incumbents normally advance to the level of Deputy County Counsel II after gaining experience, achieving proficiency, and demonstrating ability to perform tasks which meet the requirements for Deputy County Counsel II.
- Deputy County Counsel II - ($43.3026 - $52.6342 /hr.) is the second level class within this flexible series. Under general direction, through formal and informal work review, incumbents perform the full scope of generalist duties and are assigned specific county departments to represent in legal matters. Projects assigned at this level are more difficult and complex and receive a lesser degree of supervision.
- Deputy County Counsel III - ($52.7134 - $64.0734 /hr.) is the third level class within the flexible series. Incumbents work on complex and difficult legal matters and controversial professional duties and assignments that require a high level of independence of action and limited direction from County Counsel, particularly on matters involving monetary settlement and appeal decisions.
- Deputy County Counsel IV - ($61.0054 - $74.1525 /hr.) is the advanced journey level class in the Deputy County Counsel series and is the senior level within this flexible series. Incumbents work on complex and sensitive legal assignments requiring a high degree of independent judgment and discretion, are fully experienced in procedures related to assigned area of responsibility and may provide day-to-day assistance to less experienced staff attorneys.
Examples of Duties:
(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Provides a variety of professional legal services to County departments and jurisdictions, advises and/or represents County departments, commissions, special districts, and jurisdictions.
- Reviews, researches and/or writes contracts for County Department purchases or services.
- Researches, drafts opinions, and presents legal briefs, petitions, ordinances, memorandums, opinions, resolutions, court orders and related correspondence and documents, and, researches and writes legal opinions for the Board of Supervisors and County departments, commissions, special districts, and jurisdictions.
- Provides work direction to paralegal, secretarial, clerical and related office support staff and informally reviews and evaluates their work product.
- Reviews charging allegations and advises social workers on dependency petitions, represents social workers in juvenile dependency proceedings, and may present evidence and arguments in juvenile dependency proceedings.
- Represents the County in litigation including interpretation and applying legal authorities in the preparation of pleadings, briefs and other litigation documents, case preparation, court appearances, and motion practice; partners with and supports outside counsel representing the County.
- Interviews and prepares witnesses for testimony.
- Provides legal advice and represents county departments and jurisdictions in a variety of issues including general liability and tax related claims, and appeals for assessment of property; provides training to departments on legal issues and responsibilities.
- Reviews and interprets current legislation and litigation relevant to County services and/or administration; advises county personnel and Board of Supervisors on relevancy of such legislation and litigation.
- Reviews a variety of contracts to ensure compliance with payment and legal implications.
- Reviews a variety of subdivisions maps, plans, codes and procedures to ensure compliance with state and local rules, regulations and laws.
- Prepares probate, conservatorship and accounting petitions and presents evidence and arguments on behalf of the Public Guardian.
- Represents and advises County personnel in labor and employment matters, including disciplinary appeals and grievance proceedings.
- Makes presentations before the Board of Supervisors; represents the County in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional, business and community organizations. Assists Department Heads and staff in establishing operational policies by developing and applying legal points and procedures; recommends changes to department policies and procedures to meet changing legal requirements.
- Meets and negotiates with outside parties in matters arising out of claims, property transactions, and other County business.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of municipal law; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs.
- Maintains accurate files, databases, and records; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge of:
Deputy County Counsel I:
- Basic principles of civil, constitutional and administrative law and their application.
- Basic practices, principles, and methods of legal principles, statutory law and legal research.
- Trial and administrative hearing procedures and the rules of evidence.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
Deputy County Counsel II (In addition to the requirements of Level I):
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
- Basic pre- trial, trial and administrative hearing rules and procedures.
- Legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to common government agency legal problems.
Deputy County Counsel III (In addition to the requirements of Level I and II):
- Advanced legal research methods.
- Established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to County activities.
- Pertinent federal, state and county laws and regulations.
- Comprehensive pre-trial, trial and administrative hearing rules and procedures.
- Complex legal principles, facts and evidence related to legal problems common to government agencies.
- Organization, duties, powers, limitations and authority of the County Counsel's Office.
Deputy County Counsel IV (In addition to the requirements of Level I, II and III):
- Legal principles, practices and procedure for civil, criminal, constitutional and administrative law.
- Current principles and practices of governmental and municipal law and their application at a comprehensive level of understanding.
Ability to:
Deputy County Counsel I:
- Learn to research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems found in a government agency practice.
- Learn to analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments.
- Learn to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written form.
- Present law, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
- Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Deputy County Counsel II ,III, & IV (In addition to the requirements of the Level I):
- Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the County and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, businesses, professionals, and regulatory and legislative organizations.
- Analyze and apply complex legal principles, facts and evidence to legal problems.
- Follow pre-trial, trial and administrative hearing rules and procedures.
- Analyze and draft ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents.
- Analyze, investigate, explain and write reports on legal matters.
- Interview and prepare witnesses for testimony.
- Make recommendations and/or determinations concerning the advisab
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