Deputy County Counsel IV

About the role

The current vacancy is in Ukiah, CA. At-Will position; exempt from Civil Service. Primary responsibility is to provide legal counsel to the County, its boards, commissions and department heads and joint powers, authorities and commissions independent of the County and special districts. Attends board and commission meetings in capacity of legal advisor.

Responsibilities

• Researches and prepares written and verbal legal opinions for clients upon request.
• Directs support staff regarding preparation of contracts, ordinances and resolutions, legal opinions and litigation.
• Assists in the negotiation and drafting of contracts; advises client with respect to legal ramifications of contracting.
• Conducts legal research by interpreting and applying state, federal and local laws and regulations, relevant case law and other legal sources.
• Directs complex and controversial cases; provides technical expertise and work direction to other attorneys as assigned.
• Reviews legal actions filed against County Counsel clients to determine appropriate response and responds as appropriate.
• Represents clients in state and federal court and before administrative tribunals.
• Represents clients in appellate matters before the state and federal courts.
• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
• Conducts client workshops with respect to legal topics.

Requirements

• Required Education and Experience: Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school; AND, current active membership in the State Bar of California; AND, At least three years of full time experience as an attorney practicing governmental or civil law; OR, Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Licenses And Certifications: Licensed to practice law in the State of California.

Skills

• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Benefits

Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range. Covered Under Social Security And The 1937 Act; Both Employees And The County Pay Into The Retirement Fund. For The Most Current Information Regarding County Retirement Please Go To https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement.

Holidays and Personal Leave: Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 – 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

Vacation: Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

Sick Leave: Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance: The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

Employee Assistance Program: For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap.

Employee Wellness Program: For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow.

Labor Contracts: For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor.