*Deadline Extended* Deputy County Counsel I - IV (Child Welfare Services)

Please note: The filing deadline for this recruitment has been extended to run continuously. Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time. 

DEFINITION 

Under general supervision, performs legal work of a routine to complex nature in representing the County and providing advice and counsel to the Board of Supervisors and County management staff and commissions and committees; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This is a multi-level class in which incumbents may be assigned to any of four levels, depending upon experience, proficiency gained, and the complexity of assigned projects. The work may be related to any of a number of legal specialty areas and normally includes providing legal services for one or more County departments and their associated elected officials and appointed boards and commissions. Involvement in formal litigation, discretionary powers, and direction of the work of other professional staff increase as incumbents progress through the various levels. Deputy County Counsel IV is considered to be the highest level non-supervisory class, fully capable of working independently in any number of specialist areas and provides direction and training to less experienced staff. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with legal matters in any area of county agency law. These classes are distinguished from Assistant County Counsel in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of County legal matters and may act as the County Counsel on a relief basis.

• Advises County departmental management concerning their respective duties, powers, functions and obligations.
• Performs a wide range of legal work in such areas as juvenile, child welfare, criminal, public guardian, special districts and mental health.
• Researches legal problems and prepares opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, permits and other legal documents.
• Prepares and tries routine to difficult cases, often involving a specialized body of law.
• Represents the County in administrative hearings before boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
• Assists other attorneys in all phases of legal work.
• Attends County departmental, board and commission meetings to provide legal advice on a variety of matters.
• Investigates and prepares reports regarding claims against the County.
• Reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents for legal sufficiency; recommends modifications as required.
• Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on County operations and recommends appropriate action.
• Directs the work of professional and support staff as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Civil and administrative law and procedures.
• Procedures and practices and effective techniques in presentation of court cases.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Principles, methods and techniques of legal research and investigation.
• State and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting County agencies' operation.
• Responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies.
• County governmental organization, structure and functional responsibilities.
• Rules of procedure governing the conduct of hearings before administrative bodies.

Skill in: 

• Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.
• Presenting statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
• Exercising sound, independent judgment within the general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
• Interpreting state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting County operations.
• Representing the County effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings with others. Preparing clear, concise and legally sufficient resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, permits, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements: 

Must possess a valid California driver's license. Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association.

Desirable Education and Experience: 

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

Deputy County Counsel I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university, plus an appropriate law degree.

Deputy County Counsel II: In addition to the above, one year of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting.

Deputy County Counsel III: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (a total of three years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting.

Deputy County Counsel IV: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (for a total of five years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting. Demonstrated increased ability to litigate a wide variety of civil lawsuits and to advise County agencies with a minimum of supervision is required for advancement to the level of Deputy County Counsel IV.

EMPLOYEE PERKS 

CalPERS health insurance program, providing several options to employees; the County pays most of the employee premium and a portion of dependent coverage.

Dental and vision plan with premiums for the employee and dependents paid by the County.

At hire, earn 12 vacation days per year. Upon 3 years of service, increases to 15 days per year. Upon 10 years of service, increases to 20 days per year. Upon 15 years of service, increases to 25 days per year. Upon 20 years of services, increases to 30 days per year.

15 paid holidays per year, including 2 personal holidays.


12 sick days per year with an unlimited cap on sick day accumulation.


The County participates in the CalPERS retirement system, with both the County and the employee making contributions toward the employee’s retirement.


A Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer.

Other benefits like life insurance, longevity pay, educational reimbursement, deferred compensation, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary benefits may also be purchased, including supplemental life insurance, pet insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Please Note: Extra Help positions are non-benefitted but may be eligible to purchase health insurance upon meeting the hours worked requirement under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits.
For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-.

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application.

• You may only submit one application per day. 
• You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.
• Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will be archived.

• You can expect to hear back from Human Resources about 3 – 4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

• You can log into your Government Jobs account and review current information regarding any application you have submitted.

• Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

• 2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.