Chief Deputy County Counsel

County of Monterey • Salinas, CA

3d

About The Position

The County of Monterey Office of the County Counsel is seeking a Chief Deputy County Counsel to represent the County in civil litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings. The role attends and argues court matters involving pleadings, motions, and discovery, and conducts legal research and prepares written and oral arguments. The Office serves as in-house counsel to the County, including the Board of Supervisors and County offices, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, and provides liaison and support to the Civil Grand Jury. It also represents the County in civil and special litigation, advises on legal matters, and coordinates outside legal counsel.

The Chief Deputy County Counsel assists in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising a major legal unit; supports policy coordination; and helps assign cases, manage workload, and supervise, train, and evaluate Deputy County Counsels. The position reviews legal work prepared by attorneys, advises County officials on complex issues, represents the County and other agencies in proceedings, drafts and reviews legal instruments, and advises boards and commissions. The recruitment is promotional only, open to current regular County of Monterey employees and former employees on an active Recall List. The eligible list may be used for current and future regular full-time, part-time, or temporary vacancies county-wide.

Requirements

• Current, valid membership in the California State Bar by date of hire.
• Valid California Class C driver license at appointment and a satisfactory driving record, or evidence of suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• Two years of experience as a Deputy County Counsel IV with Monterey County; or three years of increasingly responsible public-agency experience in an appropriate legal specialty at a level comparable to Monterey County Deputy County Counsel IV; or five years of increasingly responsible experience as a senior attorney in a county counsel’s office, city attorney’s office, or other civil public law office; or a combination thereof.
• Thorough knowledge of civil, constitutional, and administrative law; California and federal civil procedures, particularly as related to county government and public-agency law; legal research and writing; evidence, discovery, and appellate practice; laws affecting public entities and public officials and employees; and supervision and management principles.
• Working knowledge of federal and California labor, employment, and equal employment opportunity law; environmental quality control, land use planning, and zoning laws; public contract preparation and administration, including construction contracts; and County operations and practices.
• Ability to use a personal computer for case management, reports, and information entry and retrieval.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and present them clearly in oral or written legal form.
• Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments, provide sound legal advice, and devise an appropriate plan of action.
• Ability to draft legal instruments such as ordinances, resolutions, Board orders, Joint Powers Agreements, and contracts.
• Ability to establish and maintain confidential relationships with County department heads and members of the Board of Supervisors.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships within the County Counsel’s Office and with others contacted through the work.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies.
• Ability to independently manage a heavy caseload or workload that may require extra hours.
• Applicants must be current regular County of Monterey employees or former employees whose names are on an active Recall List.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the work of a major legal unit in the County Counsel’s office.
• Assist in coordinating policy application within the division and with other units or divisions.
• Assist with assigning cases and managing workload; supervise, train, and evaluate Deputy County Counsels and advise attorneys on complex legal issues.
• Review legal documents, briefs, pleadings, motions, legal opinions, contracts, leases, ordinances, research, and other legal instruments prepared by division attorneys.
• Advise County officials on complex legal issues and develop legal advice on matters of major significance to County programs and operations.
• Represent the County and other agencies in court and administrative proceedings, including pre-trial and settlement conferences.
• Attend and argue court matters related to pleadings, motions, and discovery.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions, motions, briefs, and written and oral arguments.
• Draft contracts, ordinances, leases, resolutions, and other legal instruments; study and interpret laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities.
• Attend meetings of boards and commissions and provide oral and written legal advice and counsel.
• Independently manage a heavy caseload or workload, which may require extra hours.
• Travel out of County to attend meetings and be available during emergencies or disasters.

Benefits

• The County offers an excellent benefits package; details are available in the Unit ZX Benefit Summary Sheet. Benefits are not available to employees hired into temporary positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed