Deputy County Counsel II/III/Senior Deputy County Counsel

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY

COUNTY COUNSEL’S OFFICE

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: *CONTINOUS*

SALARY INFORMATION

Deputy County Counsel II: $8,738 - $11,152 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $50.41 - $64.34 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Deputy County Counsel III: $10,125 - $13,037 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $58.93 - $75.21 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Senior Deputy County Counsel: $11,654 - $14,874 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $67.23 - $85.81 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Employee Benefits

• Holidays: 12 days per year and an additional floating holiday
• Vacation: 10 days/year first 3 years; 15 days/year 4-9 years; 17 days/year 10-15 years; 20 days/year 16 years and thereafter.
• Administrative Leave: 80 hours per calendar year.
• Longevity: 3% increase after 10 years of continuous service with Shasta County. 5% stipend after 20 years of service.
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year with a generous pro rata payoff at termination after at least 5 years
• Retirement: CalPERS, coordinated with Social Security.
• Insurance: Medical and dental plans, with the County paying for most of the employee and a portion of the dependent cost; a vision plan, a fully paid life insurance policy and long-term disability plan.
• Other:
  • Deferred Compensation plan, IRC Section 125 plan
  • California State Bar Association dues are paid in full by the County.
  • A generous MCLE allowance and attendance at County Counsel Association conferences is provided at County expense.

Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous. and refer to the Shasta County Personnel Rules and the Unrepresented Management Cost of Living Increases for future salary increases.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all of the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The County Counsel provides most of the civil legal services required by the County. The County Counsel represents the County and its officers and employees in civil actions. The office drafts or reviews for legal sufficiency all proposed legislation, contracts, leases, deeds, ordinances, and resolutions. Statutory interpretation and the issuance of legal opinions in response to requests from County officials comprise another major area of responsibility. The County Counsel also identifies and explains legal trends to assist in program planning.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Deputy County Counsel II and III: Under supervision, to provide a variety of professional legal services to the County through the County Counsel's office; and to do related work as required.

Senior Deputy County Counsel: Under minimum direction, to provide a variety of professional legal services to the County through the County Counsel's Office; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Deputy County Counsel II: At this level, professionally qualified persons normally have gained experience in the practice of law. Incumbents are expected to perform responsible legal work in civil matters and to complete regular assignments with limited supervision or assistance.  This position is an unclassified, at will position.

Deputy County Counsel III: At this level, professionally qualified and experienced persons perform specialized legal work for the County in civil matters, in a relatively independent manner. This class differs from that of Deputy County Counsel II in that the civil matters handled generally are more varied, complex and sensitive.  This position is an unclassified, at will position.

Senior Deputy County Counsel: This is a senior journey level position. At this level, professionally qualified and experienced persons perform specialized legal work for the County in civil matters, in a highly independent manner. This class differs from that of Deputy County Counsel III in that the civil matters handled generally are more varied, complex and sensitive. In addition, this level recognizes long-term experience with an understanding of County legal problems and challenges; it is only available to attorneys who have been employed as a counsel for a California county or city for five years, or have equivalent experience in civil and/or other governmental practice. This position is an unclassified, at will position.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidates will have at least two years of experience in providing legal representation and counsel to a California county or city (preferably as a deputy county counsel or deputy city attorney).  The particular areas of law within the County Counsel’s Office to which a successful candidate might be assigned will depend on the individual’s experience, interests, and the needs of the office.  The ideal candidate will have a strong public service orientation.   They will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to identify problems, research and develop solutions, and facilitate agreements between conflicting parties.   While the ideal candidate will have experience as described above, the office will consider any applicant with substantial civil experience, preferably in representing a California county or city.

Deputy County Counsel II: Confers with and advises officers and employees of County departments and representatives of dependent special districts on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions and obligations; attends meetings of boards or commissions as requested to give legal counsel and advice; drafts or approves as to legal sufficiency ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents and instruments; prepares pleadings and other papers in connection with suits, trials, hearings and similar legal proceedings; appears on behalf of clients in administrative and special proceedings; makes tentative decisions concerning advisability to prosecute, compromise, or dismiss civil litigation and discusses these matters with superiors; performs legal research and issues opinions on civil legal matters; and prepares correspondence and reports.

Deputy County Counsel III: Confers with and advises officers and employees of County departments and special districts on complex legal matters affecting their powers, duties and functions; attends meetings of boards and commissions as requested to give legal counsel and advice; drafts ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents and drafts or approves as to legal sufficiency various contracts, leases, conveyances and other agreements to be entered into by the County; represents the County, County agencies and County employees in actions brought by or against them, including preparation and trial of cases before courts and administrative agencies; participates in the settlement of claims for or against the County; provides legal counsel on matters of prosecution, compromise or dismissal of civil litigation; performs legal research and issues opinions on civil legal matters; and prepares correspondence and reports.

Senior Deputy County Counsel: Confers with and advises officers and employees of County departments and special districts on complex legal matters affecting their powers, duties and functions; attends meetings of boards and commissions as requested to give legal counsel and advice; drafts ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents and drafts or approves as to legal sufficiency various contracts, leases, conveyances and other agreements to be entered into by the County; represents the County, County agencies and County employees in actions brought by or against them, including preparation and trial of cases before courts and administrative agencies; participates in the settlement of claims for or against the County; provides legal counsel on matters of prosecution, defense, compromise or dismissal of civil litigation; performs legal research and issues opinions on civil legal matters; prepares correspondence and reports; and performs other legal services as needed.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Deputy County Counsel II:

Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices with special emphasis on the rules of evidence, administrative law and procedures, and sections of the Civil and Government Codes directly pertinent to county government; Trial procedures; and Legal research methods.

Ability to: Perform legal research using traditional and computer-assisted resources; Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems; Present laws, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; and Deal effectively and tactfully with those contacted in the course of work.

These standards are typically attained with two years of experience in the practice of law, including at least one year representing public entities or one year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel I in Shasta County.

Deputy County Counsel III:

Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices, with special emphasis on the rules of evidence, Government Code and Civil Code provisions applicable to the functions of County government, and civil, constitutional and administrative law and procedures; pre-trial and trial procedures; and legal research methods.

Ability to: Perform legal research using traditional and computer-assisted resources; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to complex legal problems; present law, facts, evidence and arguments clearly and concisely in written and oral form; effectively represent County employees, departments and special districts in legal proceedings and administrative hearings; and deal effectively and tactfully with those contacted in the course of the work.

These standards are typically attained with three years of experience as a practicing attorney including at least two years representing public entities or one year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel II in Shasta County.

Senior Deputy County Counsel:

Knowledge of: Legal principles and practices, with special emphasis on the rules of evidence, Government Code and Civil Code provisions applicable to the functions of County government, and civil, constitutional and administrative law and procedures; pre-trial and trial procedures; and legal research methods.

Ability to: Perform legal research using traditional and computer-assisted resources; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to complex legal problems; present law, facts, evidence and arguments clearly and concisely in written and oral form; effectively represent County employees, departments and special districts in legal proceedings and administrative hearings; and deal effectively and tactfully with those contacted in the course of the work.

In order to qualify for this position, an attorney must have been employed as a counsel for a California county or city for five years, or have equivalent experience in civil and/or other governmental practice.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Describe any experience you have as a practicing attorney in which you acted as a legal advisor to or before governmental agencies.  If none, please type ‘N/A.'
2. Approximately what percentage of your practice has been devoted to the representation of a county, city, or other governmental agency?   If none, please type ‘N/A.’
3. Describe any experience, training, or education (in addition to basic law school classes) in general public agency law.  In connection with training and education, please give specific dates, institutions, and a detailed description of your participation.  If none, please type ‘N/A.’
4. Describe any aspects of your background or experience that you feel demonstrate a substantial interest in or motivation toward public service.  Which special attributes, skills or characteristics would you bring to the role of Deputy or Senior Deputy County Counsel
5. Please provide your California Bar Number.  If none, please type ‘N/A.’

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position.  The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. 
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until the position is filled. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at  www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515