Deputy County Counsel I-IV

Please note: This is a continuous recruitment. Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time. 

DEFINITION 

Under general supervision, performs legal work of a routine to complex nature in representing the County and providing advice and counsel to the Board of Supervisors and County management staff and commissions and committees; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This is a multi-level class in which incumbents may be assigned to any of four levels, depending upon experience, proficiency gained, and the complexity of assigned projects. The work may be related to any of a number of legal specialty areas and normally includes providing legal services for one or more County departments and their associated elected officials and appointed boards and commissions. Involvement in formal litigation, discretionary powers, and direction of the work of other professional staff increase as incumbents progress through the various levels. Deputy County Counsel IV is considered to be the highest level non-supervisory class, fully capable of working independently in any number of specialist areas and provides direction and training to less experienced staff. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with legal matters in any area of county agency law. These classes are distinguished from Assistant County Counsel in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of County legal matters and may act as the County Counsel on a relief basis.

• Advises County departmental management concerning their respective duties, powers, functions and obligations.
• Performs a wide range of legal work in such areas as juvenile, child welfare, criminal, public guardian, special districts and mental health.
• Researches legal problems and prepares opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, permits and other legal documents.
• Prepares and tries routine to difficult cases, often involving a specialized body of law.
• Represents the County in administrative hearings before boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
• Assists other attorneys in all phases of legal work.
• Attends County departmental, board and commission meetings to provide legal advice on a variety of matters.
• Investigates and prepares reports regarding claims against the County.
• Reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents for legal sufficiency; recommends modifications as required.
• Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on County operations and recommends appropriate action.
• Directs the work of professional and support staff as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Civil and administrative law and procedures.
• Procedures and practices and effective techniques in presentation of court cases.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Principles, methods and techniques of legal research and investigation.
• State and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting County agencies' operation.
• Responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies.
• County governmental organization, structure and functional responsibilities.
• Rules of procedure governing the conduct of hearings before administrative bodies.

Skill in: 

• Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.
• Presenting statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
• Exercising sound, independent judgment within the general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
• Interpreting state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting County operations.
• Representing the County effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings with others. Preparing clear, concise and legally sufficient resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, permits, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements: 

Must possess a valid California driver's license. Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association.

Desirable Education and Experience: 

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

Deputy County Counsel I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university, plus an appropriate law degree.

Deputy County Counsel II: In addition to the above, one year of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting.

Deputy County Counsel III: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (a total of three years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting.

Deputy County Counsel IV: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (for a total of five years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting. Demonstrated increased ability to litigate a wide variety of civil lawsuits and to advise County agencies with a minimum of supervision is required for advancement to the level of Deputy County Counsel IV.

HOW TO APPLY
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applicants must apply online through the county’s automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca.
Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by Human Resources staff and may also be screened by additional subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.    
It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement.  Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.  
Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores.  The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.
 
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The county utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered most qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the 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.
 
CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM                                    
Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the County or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

 
If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you’d be in Tier III.

• 2% means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

 
EMPLOYEE PERKS
For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits.
For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-.
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?

• You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application. 

Can I change my application after submitting it?

• No. Once an application has been submitted, it is final. Applicants may submit a new application with updated information during the filing period if they wish. Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will not be considered.

How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?

• You may receive communications regarding your application at different stages of the selection process. Important updates will be sent to the email address listed in your governmentjobs.com account at the time of notification. To ensure you don't miss any critical information, we recommend keeping your email address current and regularly checking both your inbox and junk mail folders throughout the process. You can also log into your governmentjobs.com account at any time to check your application status. If you have any questions about your application's progress, feel free to contact the County of Humboldt Human Resources Personnel Division at 707-476-2349 or personnel@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview / Oral Exam?

• Yes, you will be informed via email if you are not selected for an interview / Oral Exam.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The county Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the county is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The county recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position.
If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
 
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.
 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
 
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A pre-employment medical examination provided by the county may be required upon offer of employment.
 
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
 
LICENSES
Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.
 
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Persons appointed to regular county positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
 
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY
It is the county’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States.  For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
 
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the county requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
 
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.  THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.

Salary : $65,770 - $137,571