Placer Employment Opportunities

Deputy County Counsel

Unclassified, Management

Recruitment #2014-19826-01

Introduction

This recruitment has been updated to close on Monday, March 31, 2014 at 5:00 PM.

Placer County's County Counsel Office is currently recruiting for a California licensed attorney to fill one position of Deputy County Counsel at either the I or II level. Salary and position placement will be determined at the time of employment offer with the hiring authority. Positions in the Deputy County Counsel series I-IV are designated as unclassified, and as such, are at-will employees serving at the pleasure of the department head.

Salary Information:
Deputy County Counsel - I
$39.89-$48.49 hourly / $6,914.27-$8,404.93 monthly / $82,971.20-$100,859.20 yearly

Deputy County Counsel - II
$44.06-$53.56 hourly / $7,637.07-$9,283.73 monthly / $91,644.80-$111,404.80 yearly 

POSITION INFORMATION

The County Counsel’s Office is a department of the County of Placer.  It consists of 22 employees, including 13 attorneys.  The Office of the Placer County Counsel is headed by the County Counsel, an attorney who is a direct appointment of the Board of Supervisors.  The office structure is similar to a traditional law office, providing in-house transactional and civil litigation services to its client population.  

Transactional legal services include legal research and analysis, advising County officers and employees regarding the County’s responsibilities, and drafting legal documents.  

Litigation services include the full range of civil litigation defense and prosecution activities, from investigation through appeal.  These services also include representation of county departments in child and adult protective proceedings.  Practice includes appearances in state court, federal court, the courts of appeal, and before administrative bodies.  

The successful candidate for this position will be assigned primarily to a general litigation assignment, which may include adult protective proceedings.  Applicants are encouraged to identify in their application materials all litigation experience.  

DEFINITION

To assist the County Counsel in providing legal advice and services to County and district officers and employees; to act for the County Counsel at his/her direction; and to act as trial advocate in civil litigation at all levels of court.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a multi-level class series in which incumbents may be assigned to any one of four levels, depending upon organizational needs, professional legal experience, individual expertise and skill, proficiency gained, and the complexity and sensitivity of assigned cases.  Progression from one level to the next is at the discretion of the appointing authority, provided the minimum qualifications are met.

Deputy County Counsel I is the entry level in the Deputy County Counsel series assigned to employees with no previous legal experience.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the higher levels.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Deputies County Counsel II - IV are full journey level classes within the Deputy County Counsel series.  These classes are distinguished from the Deputy County Counsel I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at these levels receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise. As employees progress through these levels they will be assigned more difficult and sensitive cases, will be required to be fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit, and may be required to prepare legal opinions on problems that are complex and have far-reaching implications.  Positions in these classes are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry Level.

These classes are distinguished from the Senior Deputy County Counsel in that the latter is responsible for providing lead direction to a functional area and presents the most complex and sensitive cases in court.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Deputy County Counsel I
Receives immediate supervision from management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from higher level Deputy County Counsels.

Deputy County Counsel II
Receives general supervision from a management staff and receives technical and functional supervision from higher level Deputy County Counsels.

Deputy County Counsel III
Receives direction from management staff. May exercise technical and functional supervision over legal staff.

Deputy County Counsel IV
Receives direction from management staff. May exercise technical and functional supervision over legal staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Confer with and advise County and district officers and employees on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions and obligations.
  • Attend meetings of boards and commissions.
  • As requested, act as legal advisor for County offices.
  • Prepare formal legislative measures, contracts, leases, conveyances and other legal documents.
  • Study, interpret and apply laws, court decisions and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions and trial briefs.
  • Prepare pleadings and other papers related to suits, trials, hearings and similar legal proceedings.
  • Make decisions concerning the advisability to prosecute, compromise or dismiss civil litigation subject to civil suits in all State and Federal courts.
  • Assemble and evaluate evidence and secure and interview witnesses.
  • Perform a wide variety of legal research.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, outside counsel and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Deputy County Counsel I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
None required.

Training:
Equivalent to a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.

License or Certificate:

  • Active membership in the California State Bar Association to be obtained prior to appointment.
  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

County Counsel II - IV

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Deputy County Counsel II

Experience:
One year of responsible professional legal experience performing duties similar to a Deputy County Counsel I with Placer County or one year of trial experience.

Training: Active membership in the California State Bar.

Deputy County Counsel III

Experience: One year of responsible professional legal experience performing duties similar to a Deputy County Counsel II with Placer County or two years of trial experience.

Training: Active membership in the California State Bar.

Deputy County Counsel IV

Experience:
One year of responsible professional legal experience performing duties similar to a Deputy County Counsel III with Placer County or three years of trial experience.

Training:
Active membership in the California State Bar.

License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Deputy County Counsel I

Knowledge of:

  • The principles of civil, constitutional and administrative law.
  • Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
  • Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research.

Ability to:

  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; and explain relevant policies, procedures and matters of law to County officers, employees, outside counsel and the general public.
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time or in meetings; intermittently, walk, stand and bend while going to/from other offices or court and taking files to/from meetings or court; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; hear sufficiently to communicate with clients and to understand actions in public meetings, hearings, or court proceedings; and lift light weight.
  • Analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents and present such material orally or in writing in clear and logical form; and analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments.
  • Draft legal instruments such as ordinances, resolutions, Board orders and contracts.
  • Learn to prepare and present legal cases; and perform legal research.
  • Learn to recommend investigative alternatives.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Learn to obtain information through interview; handle multiple cases; work with interruption; and deal firmly and courteously with the public.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
  • Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter, microfilm reader/printer and photocopy machine.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Adhere to ethical standards.

County Counsel II - IV

In addition to the qualifications for County Counsel I:

Knowledge of:

  • Responsibilities, powers and statutory limitations of the County Counsel's office.
  • Federal and State statutes and County ordinances and rules and regulations pertinent to assigned cases.
  • Policies and procedures of a County Counsel's office.
  • Principles and practices of case development and management.

Ability to:

  • Independently analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents and to present such material orally and in writing in clear and logical form; and analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments.
  • Independently draft legal instruments such as ordinances, resolutions, Board orders and contracts.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Application materials will be forwarded to the Department of County Counsel and will contact the most highly qualified applicants to schedule a hiring interview with department executive staff.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

BENEFITS

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for Management bargaining unit



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