Deputy County Counsel IV

County of Monterey • Salinas, CA

7d • $201,017 - $274,547

About The Position

The County of Monterey Office of the County Counsel serves as in-house legal counsel to the County, Board of Supervisors, County officers, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. The Office also supports the Civil Grand Jury, represents the County in civil and special litigation, and coordinates outside legal counsel. Its divisions are General Government, Litigation, Land Use, and Risk Management.

Under general direction, the Deputy County Counsel IV conducts litigation and performs complex legal work providing counsel to County officials, agents, departments, and special districts, and defending the County. The position also performs highly responsible professional and administrative legal work and acts as a principal legal advisor to large County departments and/or special districts in specialized areas of business. This role focuses on advising Human Resources staff and department management on complex personnel matters, policy development, contract interpretation, and compliance with employment laws. It represents the County in employment litigation and administrative proceedings, and provides advanced legal counsel on labor and employment issues.

The position is part of a flexible career series. Incumbents appointed at lower levels may be promoted to the highest level in the series if they meet its employment standards and the appointing authority recommends promotion. The eligible list may be used to fill current and future regular full-time, part-time, or temporary vacancies. A temporary appointment in this classification is paid hourly and does not qualify for the benefits listed in the summary.

Requirements

• Current, valid membership in the California State Bar at the time of appointment.
• A valid California Class C driver license at appointment and a satisfactory driving record, or suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• One of the following experience pathways: two years as a Deputy County Counsel III with Monterey County; three years of increasingly responsible experience with a public agency or private law firm in the appropriate legal specialty at a level comparable to Deputy County Counsel III; five years of increasingly responsible experience in a county counsel’s office, city attorney’s office, private law firm, or other civil public law office; or a combination of qualifying experience.
• Thorough knowledge of civil, constitutional, and administrative law; California and federal civil procedure and litigation, particularly as related to county government; and public agency law.
• Thorough knowledge of legal research principles, methods, and materials; rules of evidence; discovery practice; and appellate practice.
• Thorough knowledge of areas of law affecting public entities and their operations, and public officials and employees and their rights, duties, and responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of federal and California labor, employment, and equal employment opportunity law.
• Ability to draft legal instruments such as ordinances, resolutions, Board Orders, and contracts.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and present them clearly and concisely in oral or written legal form.
• Ability to evaluate legal documents and instruments, provide sound legal advice or devise an appropriate course of action, and defend the County in litigation.
• 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 encountered in the course of work.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies, and to travel outside the County to attend meetings.
• Prospective employees may be required to undergo a background review, which may include present or prior employment, driving record, and criminal conviction information.
• Employment is contingent on acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex laws, regulations, contracts, and policies and apply them to varied factual scenarios.
• Experience advising management and Human Resources staff on sensitive and complex personnel matters involving performance management, investigations, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation.
• Experience representing a public entity before administrative agencies such as the Civil Service Commission, PERB, EEOC, and DFEH.

Responsibilities

• Develop and provide legal advice on resolving problems with potentially far-reaching implications for County operations and programs.
• Serve as legal advisor to a large County department or special district, supervising and participating in the resolution of difficult legal questions about powers, duties, procedures, and operations.
• Advise Human Resources staff and department management on complex personnel matters, policy development, contract interpretation, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Represent the County throughout employment-related litigation, including case assessment, discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, mediation, trial, and administrative hearings.
• Handle matters before administrative bodies, including the Civil Service Commission, PERB, EEOC, and DFEH; prepare briefs, present evidence, and examine witnesses.
• Provide advanced legal counsel to County departments, boards, and commissions on employment and labor matters, including discipline, grievances, leave laws, disability accommodation, wage and hour issues, and discrimination or harassment claims.
• Prepare legal opinions, briefs, pleadings, and motions; draft contracts, deeds, leases, ordinances, resolutions, Board Orders, and other legal instruments.
• Attend meetings of boards and commissions as requested and provide oral and written legal advice.
• Study and interpret laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities.
• Conduct discovery; examine and interpret evidence; and prosecute or defend the County, its officers, and employees in complex and important civil cases.
• Handle pretrial and settlement conferences and prepare trial court and appellate briefs.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Benefits

• The County offers an excellent benefits package; details are available in the Unit G Benefit Summary Sheet. Benefits are governed by the applicable Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding.

What This Job Offers

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