About us
York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.
Mission Statement - York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.
Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.
About our opportunity
We invite you to apply to join our team as a full-time (40 hours per week), exempt Assistant County Attorney. The essential functions of this position will be to assist and provide legal advice and counsel for the County in all phases of County representation and in civil litigation in State and Federal courts, to assist and report to the Deputy County Attorney and County Attorney in advising and assisting County Council, County Boards and Commissions, Elected Officials, and as circumstances require to assist County Departments with legal questions, issues and problems. Additionally, this position will require you to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County Management and Departments, Elected Officials, Judges within the County, other court personnel, law enforcement agencies, County personnel, the general public and other related legal authorities. You may also be required to attend meetings scheduled by County Management or County Departments, as approved by the Deputy County Attorney or County Attorney.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm; required to attend board and commission meetings on a regular basis outside of the standard hours. Overnight travel may be needed on an occasional basis.
Compensation: Salary is determined based on education and experience.
Benefits: participation in the State Retirement system, comprehensive medical benefits, sick, vacation and holiday pay.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: - Provides professional legal advice and counsel for the County in all phases of County operations and in litigation in both civil and criminal courts, including appearing in trial and appellate courts, conducting mediations, and engaging in settlement conferences.
- Reviews assigned cases, researches and briefs the legal issues, and develops effective legal strategies.
- Through appropriate legal action, enforces various County Ordinances including, but not limited to animal control, zoning, stormwater management, utility regulatory matters, public nuisances, and littering.
- Represents the County in various litigation actions including, but not limited to, road closure hearings, quiet title actions, stormwater actions, appeals from commission and/or board decisions, and eminent domain proceedings.
- Performs legal research in many areas of the law, including the interpretation and applicability of local, state, and federal laws and judicial procedures.
- Attends County Council meetings and various County committee meetings as a legal advisor.
- Advises various departments and agencies on general county procedures and specific job-related matters, and in matters involving governmental services provided to citizens by internal County departments.
- Drives to and attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions using personal or County vehicle.
- Reviews materials to maintain licensure and to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
- Performs related work as assigned.
About you
Required Experience and Education: - Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree from an accredited institution.
- License to practice law in the State of South Carolina required.
- Completion of Rule 403 Requirements or within 90 days of hire.
Preferred Experience and Education: - Five (5) years of experience in the practice of law preferred.
- Public Utilities legal experience preferred.
Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer
Physical Demands: Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
- Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
Standard Clauses:May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Essential Safety Functions:It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.
Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.
Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.
Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation.Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits seriesprovides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)
Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.
Longevity AllowanceFull-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.
Longevity AllowanceYears of Continuous ServiceMonthly Longevity Amount10-14 Years$20.0015-19 Years$25.0020-24 Years$30.0025-29 Years$35.0030-34 Years$40.0035-39 Years$45.0040+ Years$50.00Annual LeaveProbationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.
Earning Rate for Full-Time EmployeesFull-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve months period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.
Sick LeaveFull-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.
Earning Rate of Sick LeaveFull time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.
Paid Holiday’s The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees: January - December:3 Optional Holidays per Calendar YearJanuary:New Year’s Day andMartin Luther King Day
May:Memorial Day
June:Juneteenth Day
July:Independence Day
September:Labor Day
November:Veteran’s Day,Thanksgiving Day, andFriday after Thanksgiving
December:Christmas Eve,Christmas Day
Training:Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.
