Assistant County Counsel- Employment and Labor Law

WHAT WE OFFER The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package which includes the following:

• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Annual Leave - The candidate selected for this position will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption - The ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave within the previous 12 months. (Management Resolution, § 1205)
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions. Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan. 
• Health Plans – You are afforded a flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans. 
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Employees may also participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase their spending power by reimbursing them with pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Both the County and you contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security.  If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.  
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits: Professional Memberships, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Program.

The County Counsel’s Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in all civil law matters. The County Counsel's Office is distinguished from the District Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office, which handle criminal matters.

The County Counsel’s Office employs approximately 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel. The working title for line-assigned attorneys is Assistant County Counsel, although the formal Civil Service classifications for the Assistant County Counsel positions are Civil Attorney I, II, III, and Senior Civil Attorney. Five attorney positions are assigned to management of the Office, including the County Counsel. The individual assignments of Assistant County Counsels are varied, reflecting the breadth of functions performed by the County, and can include litigation, advisory and transactional duties.

An Assistant County Counsel- Employment and Labor Law position is available in the Civil Attorney II, Civil Attorney III or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending upon candidate experience. The position will primarily advise and represent the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees in all aspects of employment and labor law but may be assigned other municipal law matters related to County government. The ideal candidate will have experience representing public or private sector clients regarding a wide array of employment and labor matters including compliance with California and federal labor, employment, and equal opportunity laws; the hiring, training and disciplining employees; reasonably accommodating employees and complying with leave laws and policies; and negotiating and drafting employment contracts and personnel rules and policies. The ideal candidate will also have experience litigating wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and failure to accommodate cases in California and federal court and representing the County in workplace investigations and matters before the Public Employment Relations Board.

Civil Attorney II: $119,135.58 - $166,789.81

Civil Attorney III: $146,586.31 - $205,220.86

Senior Civil Attorney: $170,370.62 - $238,542.22

Civil Attorneys receive management benefits and are exempt from overtime compensation.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advise client agencies regarding compliance with all aspects of California and federal employment and labor laws, as well as other municipal law matters related to County government;

• Represent client agencies, officials, and employees in California and federal employment cases at hearings and trials, appellate hearings, administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, and other civil litigation;

• Prepare litigation documents including complaints, answers, demurrers/motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment and other motions, appellate briefs, stipulations, discovery requests and responses, trial and arbitration briefs, motions in limine, jury instructions, and settlement agreements;

• Represent client agencies in investigations related to workplace issues such as discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and compliance with labor laws;

• Negotiate and draft employment and labor contracts and County personnel policies and rules;

• Review and prepare County agreements and contracts; represent the County in negotiations with private parties and attorneys;

• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other legal documents, instruments and legislative measures;

• Prepare legal opinions and memoranda regarding a wide variety of employment advisory and litigation matters, as well as other municipal law matters related to County government;

• Formulate and collaborate with County Counsel management and County officials regarding employment- and labor-related objectives and strategy in advisory and litigation contexts;

• Perform other related duties as required.

These are entrance requirements to the recruitment process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

All levels require graduation from law school and active membership in the State Bar of California.

Civil Attorney II - A minimum of two (2) years of professional legal experience.

Civil Attorney III - A minimum of four (4) years of professional legal experience.

Senior Civil Attorney – A minimum of six (6) years of professional legal experience.

• Demonstrated experience advising public or private clients regarding California and federal employment laws such as the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

• Demonstrated experience representing public or private clients in cases in California or federal court involving employment claims such as wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and failure to accommodate.

General knowledge of: California and federal rules of civil procedure, discovery, evidence, professional conduct, and legal research and writing methods.

Comprehensive knowledge of: California and federal employment laws such as Fair Employment and Housing Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Comprehensive skill and ability to: Analyze complex employment issues, claims and defenses; utilize legal research to find principles of law, statutes and cases on point; clearly communicate, verbally and in writing, employment law requirements and principles to client agencies and public officials; develop strategies to accomplish client objectives in employment advisory and litigation contexts; clearly present statements of fact and argument, verbally and in writing, to triers of fact; develop discovery plan and conduct all aspects of discovery; draft legal pleadings, briefs and advisory memoranda; and obtain the confidence and respect of members of the legal profession, public officials and other persons.

• The County of Ventura Personnel Rules and Regulations prohibit County attorneys from engaging in the private practice of law for compensation.

• Pursuant to the Political Reform Act of 1974, the Assistant County Counsels must file a financial disclosure statement within thirty (30) days of appointment, and annually thereafter.

Salary : $119,136 - $238,542