Chief Deputy County Counsel

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY COUNSEL’S OFFICE

SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION REGARDING 

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: MARCH 12, 2026

SALARY INFORMATION

$12,982-$16,569 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $74.90-$95.59 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

BENEFITS

• Sign on Bonus: Bonuses are paid in three equal installments: the first will be paid with first payroll check or soon as reasonably practicable, the second after the first six-month evaluation period, the final after completion of the initial one-year evaluation period. (The employee may choose to defer receipt of the $30,000 to the end of the fully served retention period without any repayment obligation). Please see Chapter 15 of the Shasta County Personnel Rules for complete sign on bonus information.
• Holidays: 12 days per year plus one additional floating holiday.
• Vacation: 10 days first 3 years; 15 days 4-9 years; 17 days 10-15 years; 20 days 16 years and thereafter.
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year with a generous pro rata payoff at termination after at least 5 years.
• Administrative Leave: 80 hours per calendar year.
• Retirement: CalPERS, coordinated with Social Security.
• Insurance: Medical and dental plan, 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 and IRC Section 125 plan

This position is an Unrepresented Management position. Please refer to the Shasta County Personnel Rules Chapter 15 and the Unrepresented Management Cost of Living Increases for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements

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

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

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

There is substantial similarity in the scope and level of work assignments handled by the Chief Deputy County Counsel, the Assistant County Counsel and a Deputy County Counsel Ill or a Senior Deputy County Counsel. However, the incumbent has, in addition, regular responsibility for acting for or representing the Assistant County Counsel and County Counsel in that person's absence, for participating in the direction of professional and clerical staff, and for assisting with assigned administrative tasks. Handles complex legal cases in the County Counsel's Office; 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 public agency representation and/or other governmental practice.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Confers with and advises officers and employees of County departments and special districts on complex legal matters affecting their powers and functions; attends meetings of boards and commissions to give legal counsel and advice; drafts ordinances, resolutions and other legislative measures; drafts and approves as to legal sufficiency various contracts, leases, conveyances or other agreements to be entered into by the County; defends the County, County agencies or County employees in actions brought 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; prepares correspondence and reports; acts for the Assistant County Counsel and County Counsel in the their absence.

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

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 and sensitive 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; deal effectively and tactfully with those contacted in the course of the work; train and direct the work of staff; and assist in the formulation of policy and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience representing a California county, city or public agency for five (5) years, including at least one year equivalent to a Senior Deputy County Counsel  with Shasta county

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Active membership in the State Bar of California.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with completed application.

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 Chief Deputy County Counsel?

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 regularly 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 12:00 p.m., on March 12, 2026. 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.comor 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