Deputy County Counsel IV

The Position

Mendocino County Counsel’s Office seeks an experienced attorney with experience as a civil law generalist and litigator to provide legal representation, advice and counsel under the direction of the County Counsel to the County, its departments, officers, boards and commissions.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have significant experience as a general civil and/or public law litigator. Additionally, the candidate must have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, a commitment to public service, and excellent legal research, writing and trial advocacy skills. Experience in the areas of employment/labor law, public resources, land use, and tort litigation is desirable.

The Position
Primary responsibility is to provide legal counsel to the County, its boards, commissions, department heads, and officers as assigned; work consists of varied and complex professional duties. This is an advanced-level position in the Deputy County Counsel series.

At-Will position; exempt from Civil Service.

Telework Option: County policy recognizes teleworking as a viable option for qualifying employees and County Counsel generally supports a mix of in-office and remote work depending on the particular departmental assignments.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600 .

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents:

• Provides legal counsel and representation to the County, its boards, commissions and department heads and joint powers, authorities and commissions independent of the County and special districts.
• Attends board and commission meetings in capacity of legal advisor.
• Researches and prepares written and verbal legal opinions for clients upon request.
• Directs support staff regarding preparation of contracts, ordinances and resolutions, legal opinions and litigation.
• Assists in the negotiation and drafting of contracts; advises client with respect to legal ramifications of contracting.
• Conducts legal research by interpreting and applying state, federal and local laws and regulations, relevant case law and other legal sources.
• Directs complex and controversial cases; provides technical expertise and work direction to other attorneys as assigned.
• Reviews legal actions filed against County Counsel clients to determine appropriate response and responds as appropriate.
• Represents clients in state and federal court and before administrative tribunals.
• Represents clients in appellate matters before the state and federal courts.
• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
• Conducts client workshops with respect to legal topics.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school; AND, current active membership in the State Bar of California; AND, At least three years of full time experience as an attorney practicing governmental or civil law; OR, Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
Licensed to practice law in the State of California
Valid Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices regarding the practice of law in the State of California.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Budgetary principles and practices.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.

Skill in:

• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Ability to provide direction and training to staff as assigned.
• Ability to write reports, briefs, contracts, opinions and/or other documents.
• Ability to analyze situations effectively, interpret and apply laws and regulations and recommend effective courses of action.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups and respond to questions.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, and speak and hear.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to lift and carry books, files and other materials weighing up to 25 lbs.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted by the final filing date will be reviewed with those judged most qualified progressing further in the selection process. Based on the number of qualified candidates, a Qualifications Appraisal may be administered.

Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request .

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

• 

• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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