Description:

Salary Information
Deputy County Counsel I: $7,889-$10,069 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $45.52-$58.09 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
Deputy County Counsel II: $8,913-$11,375 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $51.42-$65.63 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
Deputy County Counsel III: $10,419-$13,298 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $60.11-$76.72 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
Senior Deputy County Counsel: $11,887-$15,172 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $68.58 - $87.53 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Employee Benefits:

Holidays: 12 days per year and an additional floating holiday
Vacation: 10 days/year first 3 years; 15 days/year 4-9 years; 17 days/year 10-15 years; 20 days/year 16 years and thereafter.
Administrative Leave: 80 hours per calendar year.
Longevity: 3% increase after 10 years of continuous service with Shasta County. 5% stipend after 20 years of service.
Sick Leave: 12 days per year with a generous pro rata payoff at termination after at least 5 years
Retirement: CalPERS, coordinated with Social Security.
Insurance: Medical and dental plans, with the County paying for most of the employee and a portion of the dependent cost; a vision plan, a fully paid life insurance policy and long-term disability plan.
Other:

Deferred Compensation plan, IRC Section 125 plan
California State Bar Association dues are paid in full by the County.
A generous MCLE allowance and attendance at County Counsel Association conferences is provided at County expense.

Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous. and refer to the Shasta County Personnel Rules and the Unrepresented Management Cost of Living Increases for future salary increases.

About Shasta County
Shasta County offers all of the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

About the Department
The County Counsel provides most of the civil legal services required by the County. The County Counsel represents the County and its officers and employees in civil actions. The office drafts or reviews for legal sufficiency all proposed legislation, contracts, leases, deeds, ordinances, and resolutions. Statutory interpretation and the issuance of legal opinions in response to requests from County officials comprise another major area of responsibility. The County Counsel also identifies and explains legal trends to assist in program planning.

About the Position:
Deputy County Counsel I/II/III: 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.

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. This position is an unclassified, at will position.

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. This position is an unclassified, at will position.

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. This position is an unclassified, at will position.

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