SR. Deputy County Counsel

County of Shasta (CA)•Redding, CA

46d

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.

Requirements

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: 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 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: 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.
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: 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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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 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.

Responsibilities

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.

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.