Deputy County Counsel I-II

Sutter County Human Resources•Yuba City, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Vacancies may fill at either level I, or II. Candidates need only to apply once; all applications will be screened for the minimum requirements at the highest level they are qualified for. In the case of higher-level vacancies, names from the eligible list will be referred based on qualifying level. For lower-level vacancies, higher level candidates on the eligible list may not be excluded from being referred. The salary for this position will increase by 2% on July 11th 2026. Under close direction, provides a wide range of legal services; advises county departments, officials, and special districts; represents the County in court proceedings; performs other related duties as required. Deputy County Counsel I: The Deputy County Counsel is the entry and trainee level in the class series for attorneys with or without previous legal experience. Assignments are generally limited in scope and are set within procedural frameworks established by higher level positions. As experience accrues, the incumbent performs with increasing independence. Work requires incumbents to exercise some judgment in selecting appropriate established guidelines to follow. Significant deviations require prior approval. Interpretation of general administrative or operational policies is sometimes necessary. Under supervision, incumbents are expected to handle a wide variety of assigned cases and assignments. Deputy County Counsel II: The Deputy County Counsel II is the journey level in the class series that is assigned all phases of legal work of average difficulty. The classification performs the full range of duties as assigned, working semi-independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Incumbents are expected to handle assigned cases and legal issues with only occasional guidance, instruction, or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

Requirements

General knowledge of the principles and application of civil law, legal principles and practices, and legal research methods
Knowledge of duties, powers, and authority of the County Counsel's office
Knowledge of trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence
Knowledge of statutory and constitutional laws of the United States and the State of California
Ability to research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems
Ability to present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form
Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with fellow staff members, departmental representative, county officials, members of policy making bodies, the courts, and the public
A Juris Doctorate from and accredited law school is required
Considerable knowledge of the principles and application of civil law, legal principles and practices, and legal research methods
Two years of experience in the practice of law or one year of experience practicing law for a public agency or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities (for Deputy County Counsel II)
Membership in the State Bar of California
Requires the ability to maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of exercising sound judgment and rational thinking under varied circumstances
Requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another
Ability to see
Ability to hear and communicate orally
Requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing, data entry or use of other office equipment or supplies
Ability to operate a motor vehicle

Nice To Haves

Previous legal experience (for Deputy County Counsel I)

Responsibilities

Provides a wide range of legal services
Advises county departments, officials, and special districts
Represents the County in court proceedings
Performs other related duties as required
Handle a wide variety of assigned cases and assignments
Handle assigned cases and legal issues with only occasional guidance, instruction, or assistance as new or unusual situations arise