Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV

For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.

About the role

The County of Riverside’s Office of the County Counsel has an opportunity for a Deputy County Counsel (I – IV) to support their Health & Adult Welfare Division (HAWD). As a team member working under general supervision, the Attorney will offer litigation and general advisory services, representing RUHS Behavioral Health-Public Guardian. The ideal candidate will possess relevant experience with laws involving mental health, California, and Federal privacy and confidentiality rights governing health information and public social services. A proven ability to perform litigation and provide legal advice in a collaborative environment is necessary. The level at which this position is offered is at the department's discretion. Advancement to the Deputy County Counsel II, III, and IV levels is through a non-competitive process and based on demonstrated ability, satisfaction of the experience requirement, and an overall meets expectation rating on the annual performance evaluation.

Meet the team

The Office of County Counsel is a full-service law office that provides advisory and litigation support on issues of vital concern to the County and its residents such as health care, public safety, child welfare, land development, environmental protection, public finance, taxation, and elections.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and advice to Deputy County Counsel attorneys, Supervisors, and Chief Deputies in matters of law and trial tactics, legal research, preparation of legal briefs and opinions, completing mediations, and trial and appellate practices.
• Provide responsive, high-quality service to County employees and representatives of RUHS Behavioral Health – Public Guardian by providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in a courteous, efficient, and timely manner, and may interact with members of the public.
• Consult with subordinate Deputies and Paralegals on points of law, evidence, legal procedures and policies, and practices of the County Counsel's Office; counsel and provide recommendations to subordinate Deputies and Paralegals on more difficult and complex legal problems.
• Represent the County in all state and federal courts and before administrative hearing bodies.
• Study and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances, and other legal authorities.
• Draft written opinions and render informal opinions on legal questions; prepare correspondence and pleadings; handle percipient witness and expert testimony; prepare written discovery; prepare pretrial motions and settlement conferences; first or second chair trials as needed.
• Analyze, research, and resolve difficult and complex legal problems.
• Prepare, present, and manage difficult to complex trial and appellate cases under minimal to moderate supervision depending upon level of experience.

Requirements

Applicants must be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar.

• Deputy County Counsel II: $107,048.00 - $143,106.00 Annually
  • Option I: One year at the Deputy County Counsel I level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city.
  • Option II: Two years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments.
  • Option III: Two years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities.
  • Option IV: Two years in the practice of criminal law.
• Deputy County Counsel III: $137,000.00 - $184,966.00 Annually
  • Option I: One year at the Deputy County Counsel II level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city.
  • Option II: Three years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments.
  • Option III: Three years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities.
  • Option IV: Three years in the practice of criminal law.
• Deputy County Counsel IV: $144,125.00 - $221,413.00 Annually
  • Option I: One year at the Deputy County Counsel III level with the County of Riverside's Office of County Counsel, or as a county counsel attorney or city attorney at an equivalent level with another California county or city.
  • Option II: Four years in the practice of civil law providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies or departments.
  • Option III: Four years in the practice of civil law in one of the following areas: eminent domain; labor and employment; civil litigation; business transactional; environmental; finance; healthcare; probate and conservatorships; bankruptcy; juvenile dependency or delinquency; land use; Native American gaming and land use; public works; real estate; or utilities.
  • Option IV: Four years in the practice of criminal law.

All levels require possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Skills

• Make sound and accurate decisions under pressure.
• Maintain an environment of teamwork and collaboration conducive to expanding knowledge and expertise.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.
• Persuasively communicate findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences.
• Possess superior negotiation skills.
• Effective time management.
• Effectively maintain expertise in all areas of responsibility and seek opportunities to increase personal knowledge in areas of responsibility.
• Take independent actions after carefully analyzing and interpreting the associated risks.
• Customer-focused, meeting obligations and commitments.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior and integrity even when challenged with highly stressful or crisis situations.
• Skillfully gain and maintain credibility with superiors, co-workers, public, and managers.
• Exhibit values and respect of others in all undertakings.
• Encourage creative problem-solving, collaboration, and analysis techniques.
• Driven to excel, supportive of change, and seeks continuous learning.

Schedule

A 9/80 schedule with hybrid options after the training period and at the department's discretion.

Pay

• Deputy County Counsel II: $51.47 - $68.80 hourly
• Deputy County Counsel III: $65.87 - $88.93 hourly
• Deputy County Counsel IV: $69.29 - $106.45 hourly