8611 - Deputy County Counsel (County Counsel)

Jackson County Employment Opportunity!

The County Counsel is the chief legal officer for Jackson County and is ultimately responsible for all legal matters involving the Board of Commissioners, the County Administrator, elected officials, and County departments, offices, boards, commissions, and committees. Attorneys in the County Counsel’s Office provide advice and representation on a wide range of issues including labor and employment, land use, contracts, public meetings and records, taxation, litigation, and all other aspects of the County’s diverse operations.

We are looking to fill the newly created position of Deputy County Counsel. The Deputy County Counsel will assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities as well as manage attorneys within the Office of County Counsel. This position will also perform professional legal work including legal research, representation of the County, the preparation of legal documents, and drafting legal opinions. The Deputy County Counsel may act on behalf of County Counsel in their absence.

Jackson County strives to recruit, hire and retain the best employees!

• We are looking for an attorney with the interest and/or experience in providing supervisory support to current attorneys in Counsel’s office as well as day to day legal advice and representation to various County departments and offices on a wide range of legal matters.
• Previous experience working for a local government is preferred, but not required.
• Previous work in law school clinics, judicial clerkships or externships, summer clerkships, and a certified Rule 13 law student and similar activities will be considered as experience towards the minimal qualifications for this position. 
• Please list all activities and positions as part of your work history in your application if you would like them to be considered. 
• You must completely fill out the application to be considered for this position.
• You may submit a cover letter as an attachment to the application.
• You may also submit a resume. However, we will not consider your resume, along, as evidence of your education or experience if the application is not filled out completely. Statements in the application such as “See Resume” as a reference to your resume for education or work experience will not be considered as a complete application.
• If selected for this position, transcripts will be required to be submitted prior to beginning employment.
• This position includes a market adjustment to the salary. All County market adjustments are considered temporary and may be increased, decreased, or eliminated at any time depending on a change in triggering market event(s).
• Pass a criminal background check prior to hire. 
• Submit an acceptable DMV certified court print prior to hire. Click on the following link to review Jackson County's requirements for an acceptable driving record.  
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen, which includes screening for Marijuana. Click on the link to review Jackson County's Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
• The is a non-represented position. (Management/Confidential)

I. Position Summary

Plans, organizes, and manages the activities of attorneys in the County Counsel’s office; performs legal work including research, representation of the County, and legal counsel to various County departments, agencies and officials. Acts as the County Counsel in the absence of the County Counsel.

II. Examples of Essential Position Duties (The following duties represent some of the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.)

• Manages assigned functions to achieve goals with budgeted funds and available personnel; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments, monitors progress, and makes changes as needed to meet department goals and demands.
• Assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of staff; advises and trains subordinates as necessary. Conducts performance evaluations, and initiates and implements disciplinary actions as warranted.
• Assists with developing and implementing policy and procedure for the County Counsel’s office to assure efficient and effective operations in compliance with department goals and objectives.
• Assists with developing the annual and supplemental budgets for the County Counsel’s office.
• Provides legal counsel and representation regarding contracts and procurement, tort and civil rights liability, general civil law, and compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Reviews documents for assigned County departments; assists in developing contracts, ordinances, real property transactions, and other legal documentation for purposes of ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws and protecting the interests of the County.
• Represents the County in litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings. Collaborates with Department Directors/Elected Officials, where appropriate, regarding strategy.
• Attends various meetings and public hearings as assigned; provides legal advice as requested and assures meetings and hearings are in compliance with applicable laws.
• Evaluates, recommends, and implements improvements to operations in area of responsibility. Develops and maintains systems and records that provide for proper evaluations, control and documentation of assigned operations.
• Resolves inquiries, complaints, problems, or emergencies affecting the availability or quality of services. Coordinates assigned functions with other departments and agencies; provides advice and assistance as requested.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, County and departmental policies and procedures, required trainings, as well as safe work practices.
• Develops and maintains effective internal and external working relationships at all levels.
• Has regular and reliable attendance. Working irregular hours is required.

III. Minimum Requirements (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following requirements, physical demands and/or working conditions)

Education and Experience

Licenses, Certificates or Other

Member in good standing of the State Bar of Oregon OR must obtain admission to the State Bar of Oregon through within three months of hire. Must be admitted to practice before U.S. District Court of Oregon and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals OR able to obtain admission within three months of hire. Requires possession of a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

IV. Other Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state and local law applicable to County operations.
• Knowledge and ability concerning representation of government entities in litigation, appellate and administrative proceedings.
• Knowledge and ability to perform both thorough and effective legal research and analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of management and supervision.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues and formulate potential solutions regarding the same orally and in writing.
• Ability to draft ordinances, contracts and various legal instruments concerning the operations and interests of the County.
• Ability to interpret and explain case law, statutes, ordinances, and procedures.
• Ability to monitor work schedules and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with other staff, public officials, the general public, and representatives of other agencies.
• Ability to work by self on various matters as well as on a team within the County Counsel’s office.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Physical Demands (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands)

Typically requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Occasionally requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. Minimum physical effort is required. Requires driving and travel.

Working Conditions (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following working conditions)

Work is performed both in the office and in the field with exposure to varying weather conditions, traffic, and hazardous conditions at work sites. May include exposure to disruptive people. 

V. Additional Information

This classification description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, or requirements, as any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of these duties, in addition to other duties not explicitly listed here. The various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may be unevenly balanced and change from time to time based upon matters such as, but not limited to, variations in the shift, work demands, seasons, service levels and management’s decisions on how to best allocate department resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing of these assigned duties, responsibilities and/or assignments does not constitute a change in the job classification.

Jackson County does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. Women, minorities and the disabled are encouraged to apply. Upon request, special accommodations and/or assistance will be gladly provided for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory impairments.  Because of the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, persons hired by the County must be able to present acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.  For a copy of Jackson County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan, visit our web site at www.jacksoncountyor.gov or call 541-774-6036.