Closing Date: 9th November, 2026
Description:
About the Position:Deputy County Counsel I: Under close supervision, to provide a variety of professional legal services to the County through the County Counsel's office; and to do related work as required.
Deputy County Counsel II/III: Under supervision, to provide a variety of professional legal services to the County through the County Counsel's office; and to do related work as required.
Senior Deputy County Counsel: Under minimum direction, to provide a variety of professional legal services to the County through the County Counsel's Office; and to do related work as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Deputy County Counsel I: This Is the Entry Level in This Series for The Professionally Qualified Person with Little if Any Pertinent Experience. as Incumbents Become Familiar with County Operations, Policies, and Procedures, They Are Expected to Handle Varied and Responsible Legal Work with A Greater Degree of Independence and Increased Delegation of Responsibilities; a Deputy County Counsel I May Expect to Qualify for The Next Higher Class of Deputy County Counsel Ii.
Deputy County Counsel Ii: At This Level, Professionally Qualified Persons Normally Have Gained Experience in The Practice of Law. Incumbents Are Expected to Perform Responsible Legal Work in Civil Matters and To Complete Regular Assignments with Limited Supervision or Assistance.
Deputy County Counsel Iii: At This Level, Professionally Qualified and Experienced Persons Perform Specialized Legal Work for The County in Civil Matters, in A Relatively Independent Manner. This Class Differs from That of Deputy County Counsel Ii in That the Civil Matters Handled Generally Are More Varied, Complex and Sensitive.
Senior Deputy County Counsel: This Is a Senior Journey Level Position. at This Level, Professionally Qualified and Experienced Persons Perform Specialized Legal Work for The County in Civil Matters, in A Highly Independent Manner. This Class Differs from That of Deputy County Counsel Iii in That the Civil Matters Handled Generally Are More Varied, Complex, and Sensitive. in Addition, This Level Recognizes Long-Term Experience with An Understanding of County Legal Problems and Challenges; It Is only Available to Attorneys Who Have Been Employed as A Counsel for A California County or City for Five Years or Have Equivalent Experience in Civil And/or Other Governmental Practice.
Ideal Candidate:
The Ideal Candidates Will Have at Least Two Years of Experience in Providing Legal Representation and Counsel to A California County or City (preferably as A Deputy County Counsel or Deputy City Attorney). the Particular Areas of Law Within the County Counsel's Office to Which a Successful Candidate Might Be Assigned Will Depend on The Individual's Experience, Interests, and The Needs of The Office. the Ideal Candidate Will Have a Strong Public Service Orientation. They Will Have Excellent Verbal and Written Communication Skills and The Ability to Identify Problems, Research and Develop Solutions, and Facilitate Agreements Between Conflicting Parties. While the Ideal Candidate Will Have Experience as Described Above, the Office Will Consider Any Applicant with Substantial Civil Experience, Preferably in Representing a California County or City.
Examples of Essential Duties
Duties May Include, but Are Not Limited To, the Following:
Deputy County Counsel I: Confers with And Advises Officers and Employees of County Departments and Representatives of Dependent Special Districts on Legal Questions Pertaining to Their Respective Powers, Duties, Functions and Obligations; Drafts or Approves as To Legal Sufficiency Ordinances, Resolutions and Other Legal Documents and Instruments; Prepares Pleadings and Other Papers in Connection with Suits, Trials, Hearings and Similar Legal Proceedings; Makes Court Appearances; Makes Tentative Decisions Concerning Advisability to Prosecute, Compromise, or Dismiss Civil Litigation and Discusses These Decisions with Superiors; Performs Legal Research; and Prepares Correspondence and Reports.
Deputy County Counsel Ii: Confers with And Advises Officers and Employees of County Departments and Representatives of Dependent Special Districts on Legal Questions Pertaining to Their Respective Powers, Duties, Functions and Obligations; Attends Meetings of Boards or Commissions as Requested to Give Legal Counsel and Advice; Drafts or Approves as To Legal Sufficiency Ordinances, Resolutions and Other Legal Documents and Instruments; Prepares Pleadings and Other Papers in Connection with Suits, Trials, Hearings and Similar Legal Proceedings; Appears on Behalf of Clients in Administrative and Special Proceedings; Makes Tentative Decisions Concerning Advisability to Prosecute, Compromise, or Dismiss Civil Litigation and Discusses These Matters with Superiors; Performs Legal Research and Issues Opinions on Civil Legal Matters; and Prepares Correspondence and Reports.
Deputy County Counsel Iii: Confers with And Advises Officers and Employees of County Departments and Special Districts on Complex Legal Matters Affecting Their Powers, Duties and Functions; Attends Meetings of Boards and Commissions as Requested to Give Legal Counsel and Advice; Drafts Ordinances, Resolutions and Other Legal Documents and Drafts or Approves as To Legal Sufficiency Various Contracts, Leases, Conveyances and Other Agreements to Be Entered Into by The County; Represents the County, County Agencies and County Employees in Actions Brought by Or Against Them, Including Preparation and Trial of Cases Before Courts and Administrative Agencies; Participates in The Settlement of Claims for Or Against the County; Provides Legal Counsel on Matters of Prosecution, Compromise or Dismissal of Civil Litigation; Performs Legal Research and Issues Opinions on Civil Legal Matters; and Prepares Correspondence and Reports.
Senior Deputy County Counsel: Confers with And Advises Officers and Employees of County Departments and Special Districts on Complex Legal Matters Affecting Their Powers, Duties and Functions; Attends Meetings of Boards and Commissions as Requested to Give Legal Counsel and Advice; Drafts Ordinances, Resolutions and Other Legal Documents and Drafts or Approves as To Legal Sufficiency Various Contracts, Leases, Conveyances and Other Agreements to Be Entered Into by The County; Represents the County, County Agencies and County Employees in Actions Brought by Or Against Them, Including Preparation and Trial of Cases Before Courts and Administrative Agencies; Participates in The Settlement of Claims for Or Against the County; Provides Legal Counsel on Matters of Prosecution, Defense, Compromise or Dismissal of Civil Litigation; Performs Legal Research and Issues Opinions on Civil Legal Matters; Prepares Correspondence and Reports; and Performs Other Legal Services as Needed.
Qualifications:
Any Combination of Education and Experience Sufficient to Directly Demonstrate Possession and Application of The Following:
Deputy County Counsel I/ii/iii:
Knowledge Of: Legal Principles and Practices with Special Emphasis on The Rules of Evidence, and Sections of The Civil and Government Codes Directly Pertinent to County Government; and Legal Research Methods.
Ability To: Perform Legal Research Using Traditional and Computer-Assisted Resources; Analyze and Apply Legal Principles, Facts, and Precedents to Legal Problems; Present Laws, Facts and Arguments Clearly and Logically in Written and Oral Form; and Deal Effectively and Tactfully with Those Contacted in The Course of Work.
Senior Deputy County Counsel:
Knowledge Of: Legal Principles and Practices, with Special Emphasis on The Rules of Evidence, Government Code and Civil Code Provisions Applicable to The Functions of County Government, and Civil, Constitutional, and Administrative Law and Procedures; Pre-Trial and Trial Procedures; and Legal Research Methods.
Ability To: Perform Legal Research Using Traditional and Computer-Assisted Resources; Analyze and Apply Legal Principles, Facts, Evidence, and Precedents to Complex Legal Problems; Present Law, Facts, Evidence, and Arguments Clearly and Concisely in Written and Oral Form; Effectively Represent County Employees, Departments and Special Districts in Legal Proceedings and Administrative Hearings; and Deal Effectively and Tactfully with Those Contacted in The Course of The Work.
Minimum Qualifications:
It Is the Responsibility of Applicants to Identify in Their Application Materials how They Meet the Minimum Qualifications Listed Below.
Deputy County Counsel Ii:
Either
Two (2) Years of Experience in The Practice of Law, Including at Least One (1) Year Representing Public Entities;
Or
One (1) Year of Experience as A Deputy County Counsel I with Shasta County.
Deputy County Counsel Iii:
Either
Three (3) Years of Experience as A Practicing Attorney Including at Least Two (2) Years Representing Public Entities;
Knowledge Of: Legal Principles and Practices with Special Emphasis on The Rules of Evidence, and Sections of The Civil and Government Codes Directly Pertinent to County Government; and Legal Research Methods.
Ability To: Perform Legal Research Using Traditional and Computer-Assisted Resources; Analyze and Apply Legal Principles, Facts, and Precedents to Legal Problems; Present Laws, Facts and Arguments Clearly and Logically in Written and Oral Form; and Deal Effectively and Tactfully with Those Contacted in The Course of Work.
Senior Deputy County Counsel:
Knowledge Of: Legal Principles and Practices, with Special Emphasis on The Rules of Evidence, Government Code and Civil Code Provisions Applicable to The Functions of County Government, and Civil, Constitutional, and Administrative Law and Procedures; Pre-Trial and Trial Procedures; and Legal Research Methods.
Ability To: Perform Legal Research Using Traditional and Computer-Assisted Resources; Analyze and Apply Legal Principles, Facts, Evidence, and Precedents to Complex Legal Problems; Present Law, Facts, Evidence, and Arguments Clearly and Concisely in Written and Oral Form; Effectively Represent County Employees, Departments and Special Districts in Legal Proceedings and Administrative Hearings; and Deal Effectively and Tactfully with Those Contacted in The Course of The Work.
Minimum Qualifications:
It Is the Responsibility of Applicants to Identify in Their Application Materials how They Meet the Minimum Qualifications Listed Below.
Deputy County Counsel Ii:
Either
Two (2) Years of Experience in The Practice of Law, Including at Least One (1) Year Representing Public Entities;
Or
One (1) Year of Experience as A Deputy County Counsel I with Shasta County.
Deputy County Counsel Iii:
Either
Three (3) Years of Experience as A Practicing Attorney Including at Least Two (2) Years Representing Public Entities;
