Assistant County Counsel - Municipal Civil Litigation

What We Offer

• Annual Leave: 208 hours per year, increasing to 304.20 hours after 15 years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption: Ability to redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year, increasing to 200 hours in 2027.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan.
• Health Plans: Flexible credit allowance for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Reimbursable for dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Contributions to the County's Retirement Plan and Social Security.
• Life Insurance: Term life insurance policy in the amount of $50,000 during County employment.
• Professional Memberships, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, and Wellness Program: Additional benefits offered.

The Department

The County Counsel’s Office employs approximately 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel. The working title for line-assigned attorneys is Assistant County Counsel, while the formal Civil Service classifications are Civil Attorney I/II/III and Senior Civil Attorney. Five attorney positions are managed by the County Counsel.

The Position

An Assistant County Counsel position is available in the Civil Attorney II, Civil Attorney III, or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending on the candidate's experience. This is a municipal civil litigation position representing the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees in various civil and administrative courts and proceedings. The position handles matters such as employment law, dangerous conditions of public property, constitutional law, civil rights, probate, conservatorship, and Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) matters, CARE court matters, writs of mandate, Public Records Act, inverse condemnation, code enforcement, and public works and contracting.

Payroll Titles and Approximate Annual Salaries

• Civil Attorney II: $124,538.38 - $174,353.73
• Civil Attorney III: $153,234.00 - $214,527.63
• Senior Civil Attorney: $178,096.92 - $249,360.11

Typical Qualifications

• Education and Licensing: Graduation from law school and active membership in the State Bar of California.
• Experience:
  • Civil Attorney II: At least two (2) years of professional legal experience.
  • Civil Attorney III: At least four (4) years of professional legal experience.
  • Senior Civil Attorney: At least six (6) years of professional legal experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Comprehensive knowledge of common municipal laws, state and federal rules of civil procedure, discovery, evidence, professional conduct, and legal research and writing methods. Comprehensive skill and ability to analyze complex legal claims and defenses, utilize legal research, develop litigation strategies, present statements of fact and argument, and draft legal pleadings.

Special Restrictions and Requirements

• The County of Ventura Personnel Rules and Regulations prohibit County attorneys from engaging in the private practice of law for compensation.
• Pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974, Assistant County Counsels must file a financial disclosure statement within thirty (30) days of appointment, and annually thereafter.

Recruitment Process

• Final Filing Date: Continuous.
• Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
• Review Date: Beginning Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
• Application Submission: Apply online or submit a paper application.
• Supplemental Questionnaire: Required for all applicants.
• Training and Experience Evaluation: Structured evaluation of job application materials.
• Oral Examination: Invited applicants may be required to bring transcripts and a writing sample.
• Eligibility List: Candidates scoring seventy percent (70%) or higher on the oral examination will be placed on an eligible list for one year.