What are the responsibilities and job description for the Litigation Deputy County Counsel IV position at County of Santa Barbara?
** NOTICE OF CHANGE: Position will remain open until filled. 1st considerations begin April 10, 2025 **
Are you an experienced litigator with a commitment to justice and public service? We are currently accepting applications to fill one vacancy for a Litigation Deputy County Counsel IV in Santa Barbara for the Office of County Counsel. The job classification for this position is Deputy County Counsel IV.
As part of a dynamic team, you will work on complex cases that make a real impact in our community. This position offers flexibility, including remote and hybrid work options. If you're ready to take on challenging legal issues, foster collaboration, and make a difference, we want to hear from you!
THE POSITION: Under general direction, the selected candidate will perform professional legal work, including civil litigation; prepare legal pleadings and give legal counsel to assigned departments, boards, and districts; and do related work as required.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: Santa Barbara County's Office of County Counsel offers a great career opportunity for attorneys seeking meaningful work in the public sector. Our work impacts a broad range of significant legal issues in beautiful Santa Barbara County. We support the County's elected and appointed decision-makers, its advisory boards and commissions, and the departments that implement the County's operations and programs.
BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. For information click here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
- Retirement reciprocity
- Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate
The Ideal Candidate will possess:
- Strong legal research and analytical skills
- At least three years of experience handling civil matters, land use matters, or in an appellate practice
- Ability to research, analyze, and present complex legal issues and arguments clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively as part of a team
- Ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences
- Good professional judgment in answering questions, releasing information, and anticipating consequences of decisions and recommendations
- Ability to remain calm and act professionally, especially under stressful conditions
- Ability to adapt to change and adjust to fluid work environment
- Positive attitude, impeccable character, and strong commitment to public service
- Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs
- Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, appeals, and judgments
- Represents the county in lawsuits by or against the county
- Conducts administrative hearings before state and county agencies; engages in legal research
- Performs related work such as preparing petitions, legal instruments, reports, and correspondence
Active membership in the State Bar of California; AND
- Three years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or six years in the practice of general civil law; or,
- one year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy County Counsel III with Santa Barbara County; or,
- a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at time of appointment. Incumbents must be willing and able to travel throughout the County on a regular basis.
Knowledge of: the organization, powers, and limitations of the county, the courts, school and special districts, and other public agencies; civil law codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law; code of Professional Conduct and Rules of Ethics.
Ability to: appraise, interpret, and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; engage in legal research; work effectively with others.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
- Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
- Application Ranking: Candidates that meet the employment standards will have their application evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their application that demonstrates the skillset outlined in the ideal candidate section. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.
Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of 12 months.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Application & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Leza Patatanian, Talent Acquisition Analyst - LPatatanian@countyofsb.org
Salary : $141,538 - $199,066
