Deputy County Counsel III - Litigation

County of Sonoma (CA)•Santa Rosa, CA

57d•$204,976•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our team of attorneys and staff committed to improving our communities and the quality of life in Sonoma County. Advance your legal career in public service as a Deputy County Counsel III - Litigation! Starting salary up to $98.21/hourly ($204,976/annually) and a competitive total compensation package! The County Counsel department is currently recruiting to fill a Deputy County Counsel position at either the II or III level. If you are interested in being considered at the II level, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment being conducted at that level. Become a Valued Member of the County Counsel Team Sonoma County Counsel, Robert Pittman, and his dedicated team work collaboratively with one another, both in the office and remotely, to provide the highest quality legal counsel and guidance to the County's various departments and agencies. County Counsel's highly motivated, collegial team of attorneys and staff are committed to providing excellent public services, improving and enriching the quality of life for all Sonoma County residents. Please visit County Counsel's website to learn more about the valuable public law-related services they provide which promote the public interest, protect financial resources, and achieve the County's programmatic and strategic goals. The Office of County Counsel is currently recruiting for a skilled litigation attorney for its Litigation Practice Group, which handles the majority of the County's litigation work, both defense and affirmative litigation. They primarily advise the following departments: Human Resources/Risk Sheriff's Office Probation District Attorney Public Defender This position will be exposed to a variety of County Counsel's practice areas, such as County Operations, Resources, and Environment (CORE), and Health and Human Services. Our team members are innovative problem-solvers that work effectively together and independently to prepare and present civil cases before various administrative bodies, as well as state and federal courts. This position is for governmental civil legal practice, with an expected focus on civil or public law litigation defense, including discovery, trial, writ, appellate work, Public Records Act compliance, and general public law. Experience with or having a demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas is highly beneficial: civil litigation generally from pre-trial through appeals, employment and labor law, writs, probate law, land use law, including code enforcement, environmental law, administrative law, legislative drafting, contracts, housing law, real property law, Brown Act, federal Indian law, FOIA/PRA, water law, cannabis/agricultural/timber regulation, taxes and fees, and/or constitutional law. As a career-oriented attorney and the ideal candidate to join our County Counsel team, you will bring your excellent research and writing skills, the ability to think strategically and creatively, a desire to assume responsibility and work cooperatively on complex cases, and the ability to work on fast-moving projects. Additionally, you will possess many of the following: Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills Highly effective research, writing, and oral communication skills Initiative, high standards, and the drive to set and achieve goals A proven interest in continuous learning and professional growth Values that promote and support advancing the same motivations and qualities in others Commitment to upholding ethical standards and identifying and eliminating bias

Requirements

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of legal experience practicing civil law as a licensed attorney, at least one year of which was with a public agency performing duties comparable to a Deputy County Counsel II; or comparable experience in private practice.
Current active membership in the State Bar of California.
Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Considerable knowledge of: written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition; the principles and application of civil law; legal research methods; the duties, powers, limitations and authorities of the Office of the County Counsel; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; the organization, powers, and limitations of local governmental functions; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California.
Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; prepare, present and conduct cases of law in court; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with other staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, members of advisory and policy-making bodies, the courts and the public; analyze and draft ordinances and regulations.

Nice To Haves

civil litigation generally from pre-trial through appeals
employment and labor law
writs
probate law
land use law, including code enforcement
environmental law
administrative law
legislative drafting
contracts
housing law
real property law
Brown Act
federal Indian law
FOIA/PRA
water law
cannabis/agricultural/timber regulation
taxes and fees
constitutional law
Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills
Highly effective research, writing, and oral communication skills
Initiative, high standards, and the drive to set and achieve goals
A proven interest in continuous learning and professional growth
Values that promote and support advancing the same motivations and qualities in others
Commitment to upholding ethical standards and identifying and eliminating bias

Benefits

Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Deputy County Counsel IV ($90.62 - $110.16/hour)
Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3%/1.9% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education