Chief Deputy County Counsel

County of Monterey • Salinas, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The County of Monterey Office of the County Counsel is seeking an organized, dependable, and self-directed individual with prior civil legal experience who can perform a wide variety of specialized legal secretarial and administrative support functions for attorneys and other staff. The Office of the County Counsel serves as the in-house counsel for the County of Monterey, including the Board of Supervisors (BOS), and all County offices, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions as well as liaison and support to the Civil Grand Jury. In addition to providing legal advice, the Office also represents the County in civil and special litigation in state and federal courts, various administrative proceedings, and coordinates the services of outside legal counsel. The County Counsel's Office consists of four divisions; General Government, Litigation, Land Use and Risk Management. The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis County-wide.

Requirements

• Thorough Knowledge of: Principles and application of civil, constitutional, and administrative law and of California and federal civil procedures, particularly as it relates to county government, and other public agency law.
• Principles, methods, and materials of legal research and writing.
• Those areas of law directly affecting public entities and their operation, and public officials and employees and their rights, duties, and responsibilities.
• Working Knowledge of: State and federal laws relating to environmental quality control, land use planning, zoning, LAFCO, and redevelopment.
• Public contract preparation and administration, including construction contracts.
• County operations and practices, including the Sheriff’s Department, the County hospital, Health department, Social Services, the Registrar of Voters, and the administration of Courts.
• Skill and Ability to: Use a personal computer for case management, to prepare reports and enter and retrieve information.
• Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and present such materials clearly and concisely either in oral or in written, legal form.
• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments and give sound legal advice or devise an appropriate plan of action.
• Draft legal instruments such as ordinances, resolutions, Board orders, Joint Powers Agreements, and contracts.
• Establish and maintain confidential relationships with County department heads and members of the Board of Supervisors.
• Develop and maintain cooperative work relationships both within the County Counsel’s Office and with those contacted within the course and scope of work.
• Possess a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record or provide evidence of suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings.
• Independently manage a heavy caseload/workload which may require extra hours of work.
• Pursuant to Section 6060 of the Business and Professions Code, current, valid membership in the California State Bar is required by date of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Two years experience as Deputy County Counsel IV with Monterey County; or three years of increasingly responsible experience with a public agency in the appropriate legal specialty at a level comparable to a Deputy County Counsel IV in Monterey County; or five years of increasingly responsible experience in a county counsel’s office, city attorney or other civil public law office as a senior attorney; or a combination thereof.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the planning, organization, direction, and supervision of the work of a major legal unit in the County Counsel’s office; assists in the coordination of policy application within the division and coordinates with other units/divisions as necessary.
• Assists in the assignment of cases, managing workload, supervision, training, and evaluation of the work of Deputy County Counsels; provides guidance and advice to attorneys on complex legal issues.
• Reviews legal documents, briefs, pleadings, legal opinions, contracts, leases, ordinances, research work, and other legal instruments prepared by attorneys in the division.
• Acts as legal advisor to County officials on complex legal issues; develops and gives legal advice on issues of major significance on County programs and operations.
• Represents the County and other agencies in court and administrative proceedings; handles pre-trial and settlement conferences.
• Prepares legal opinions and briefs; drafts contracts, ordinances, leases, resolutions, and other legal instruments; study and interprets laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities.
• Attends meetings of boards and commissions and gives oral and written legal advice and counsel.

Benefits

• The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit X Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

What This Job Offers

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