Job Details

Deputy County Counsel Position

The County of Shasta is offering a position for Deputy County Counsel I/II/III and Senior Deputy County Counsel. The salary is $94,668.00 - $120,828.00 annually. The location is 96001, CA, and the position is full-time regular.

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.

Deputy County Counsel II: At this level, professionally qualified persons normally have gained experience in the practice of law.

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.

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.

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.

Examples of essential duties:

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:

Deputy County Counsel I: Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

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.

Deputy County Counsel II: Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices with special emphasis on the rules of evidence, administrative law and procedures, and sections of the Civil and Government Codes directly pertinent to county government; Trial procedures; 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.

Deputy County Counsel III: 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.

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:

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; or one (1) year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel II with Shasta County.

Senior Deputy County Counsel: Either have been employed as a counsel for a California county or city for five (5) years; or have equivalent experience in civil and/or other governmental practice.

Supplemental questions:

1. Describe any experience you have as a practicing attorney in which you acted as a legal advisor to or before governmental agencies. If none, please type 'N/A.'
2. Approximately what percentage of your practice has been devoted to the representation of a county, city, or other governmental agency? If none, please type 'N/A.'
3. Describe any experience, training, or education (in addition to basic law school classes) in general public agency law. In connection with training and education, please give specific dates, institutions, and a detailed description of your participation. If none, please type 'N/A.'
4. Describe any aspects of your background or experience that you feel demonstrate a substantial interest in or motivation toward public service. Which special attributes, skills or characteristics would you bring to the role of Deputy or Senior Deputy County Counsel?
5. Please provide your California Bar Number. If none, please type 'N/A.

Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands