Deputy County Attorney

If you are a passionate individual with a dedication to providing exceptional legal services, we encourage you to apply to join our team at  Johnston County Government as the Deputy County Attorney.  This role requires experience and competence in handling high-level, complex legal work across a wide variety of disciplines. As Deputy County Attorney, you will support the County Attorney in the overall direction and management of the County Attorney’s Office and will acts on their behalf when necessary. This role requires the ability to rend legal opinions and conduct litigation concerning matters of significance to the County.   

Your work will be performed under the general direction of the County Attorney, offering you the opportunity to exercise considerable independent judgment and autonomy.  You will also supervise other County Attorney Staff, as assigned by the County Attorney. You will be responsible for developing plans and procedures to coordinate work assignments and effectively handle the heavy workload of the legal team, while developing the strengths of assigned staff.  This position presents a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community and utilize your legal skills to create a positive impact. 

• Handle high-level, complex legal work across a wide variety of disciplines

• Assist the County Attorney in the overall direction and management of the County Attorney’s Office

• Act on behalf of the County Attorney in their absence as requested by the County Attorney

• Delegate work assignments and serve in a supervisory capacity to other County Attorney staff as assigned by the County Attorney

• Keep the County Attorney apprised of significant cases and situations, including matters related to County Attorney staff, concerns of County Departmental leadership, and overall performance of County Attorney’s Office 

• Provide informed advice and legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners, County Manager, all County appointed boards and committees, and County departments as requested by the County Attorney

• Prepare and respond to legal claims involving the County and represent the County in civil and administrative claims/litigation at all levels of state and federal court

• Attends state and local meetings and serves on task forces, boards, and committees on behalf of the County Attorney.

• Review board agenda and documentation and/or attend meetings of various Boards; attend public hearings as assigned by the County Attorney

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County management, other departments, the media, government agencies, organizations, stakeholders, and the public;

• Performs duties as assigned, based on needs of the County.

• Strong negotiation, consultative, and facilitation skills with the ability to effectively interact with all internal and external business partners.

• Strong ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people. Strong business acumen. Ability to be persuasive and articulate when advising on legal concerns and proposed mitigation strategies.

• Ability to interpret complicated federal and statute statutes, case law, rules, regulations, and policies relating to local government.

• Excellent active listening, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Ability to resolve complaints, diffuse high-tension situations and conflicts, and counsel on difficult topics with tact and courtesy.

• Advanced critical thinking skills with the ability to prioritize.

• Strong sense of ethics, service, integrity, partnership, respect, and accountability with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Strong analytical, organizational, time management, and legal research skills.

• Requires comprehensive knowledge of local government laws and laws which have bearing upon the actions of counties;

• Ability to work with little or no supervision.

• Ability to plan, manage, and evaluate the work of others.

• Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibility and accountability. 

• Must be skilled at trial work. 

• Must be able to work as a member of a team.

Additional Duties

• Attend conferences and workshops to maintain a law license in accordance with North Carolina State Bar requirements. 

• Performs related duties as required. 

• Graduation from an accredited school of law with at least seven years of experience which includes the ability to prepare and try complex civil cases. 

• Considerable knowledge of constitutional, federal, state, and local laws affecting local government. 

• Administrative, management, and supervision experience. 

• Experience advising and representing administrative and quasi-judicial boards.

Special Requirements

• License to practice law and admission to the Bar in the State of North Carolina is required.   

• A valid North Carolina driver’s license is required. 

Salary : $113,067 - $192,215