Deputy County Counsel II/III/Senior Deputy Coun...

Description:

About the Position:
The County Counsel's Office is seeking attorneys with two or more years of experience in providing legal representation and counsel to a California county or city or two or more years of experience in civil practice. Experience in a County Counsel or City Attorney Office is preferable.

Deputy County Counsel II and 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. This position is an unclassified, at will position.

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. This position is an unclassified, at will position.

Distinguishing Characteristics
Deputy County Counsel II: 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: 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. 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.

All of the above positions are considered unclassified, at will positions.

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 needs of the office. The ideal candidate will have a strong public service orientation. He or she 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
Deputy County Counsel II: Confers with and advises officers and employees of County departments and special districts, or their representatives, on complex legal matters affecting their powers, duties, functions, and obligations; attends meetings of boards and commissions as requested to give legal counsel and advice; drafts ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents and instruments; drafts or approves as to legal sufficiency various contracts, leases, conveyances and other agreements to be entered into by the County; performs legal research and issues opinions on civil legal matters; prepares correspondence and reports; and performs other legal services as needed.

Deputy County Counsel III/Senior Deputy County Counsel: In addition to the above, also 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; and provides legal counsel on matters of prosecution, defense, compromise or dismissal of civil litigation.

Typical Qualifications:

These standards are typically attained with two years of experience in the practice of law, including at least one year representing public entities or one year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel I in A Government Entity.

Deputy County Counsel III/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.

These standards are typically attained with three years of experience as a practicing attorney including at least two years representing public entities or one year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel II in A Government Entity. In order to qualify for the Senior Deputy County Counsel position, an attorney must 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.

Special Requirement:
Active membership in the State Bar of California.

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