Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV/V

Responsibilities

• Serves as legal counsel and attends meetings of boards and commissions.
• May act as legal advisor to County offices and departments.
• Prepares formal legislative measures, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, leases, and other legal instruments.
• Prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the County and special districts in federal and state court, appellate courts, and various administrative bodies.
• Confers with and advises officers of County departments and representatives of special districts on questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions, and obligations.
• May provide lead direction and act as a legal resource to other professional staff.
• Assists the County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel, and Chief Deputy County Counsels as needed.

Qualifications

• Level II: One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil, criminal, or administrative law; or an equivalent combination of legal training and experience such as judicial clerkship, externship, internship, or contracts/legal compliance management providing substantial exposure to public agency or court operations.
• Level III: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of civil law.
• Level IV: One (1) year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel III with Merced County. OR Four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil law.
• Level V: Three (3) years of experience as a Deputy Counsel IV with Merced County. OR Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of civil law.
• Active membership in the State Bar of California at time of appointment.

Skills

• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations; develop appropriate conclusions.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; complete multiple projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
• Maintain confidential information according to legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.
• Knowledge of the Government Code and other California statutes, and their application to governmental subdivisions.
• Knowledge of the principle of civil, constitutional, and administrative laws.
• Knowledge of legal research methods.
• Knowledge of principles of staff training and project coordination.
• Ability to perform difficult legal research.
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to specific local government problems.
• Ability to develop legal issues and present clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law.
• Ability to draft ordinances, contracts, and legal instruments.
• Ability to train subordinate staff.