County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of an Assistant or Chief Assistant County Counsel, performs moderate to complex legal work in representing clients of the Office of the County Counsel in civil cases and advises them in matters of civil law; and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Deputy County Counsel performs all phases and types of legal work involved in representing clients of the Office of the County Counsel, including County agencies, boards and commissions, special districts and authorities and independent agencies served by the Office of the County Counsel. Persons in this classification have a working knowledge of legal principles, and may be expert in one or more specialized practice area. They report to and are supervised by an Assistant County Counsel or a Chief Assistant County Counsel, who in contrast to this classification, have supervisory and administrative responsibilities. Deputy County Counsel may also provide occasional mentoring and oversight of Associate County Counsel on particular tasks as requested by a Senior Deputy County Counsel or an Assistant or Chief Assistant County Counsel.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
1. Performs legal research on a wide variety of legal problems; interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in preparing memoranda, notes, briefs, pleadings, and opinions in relation to State and federal law.
2. Represents, confers with, and advises clients of the Office of the County Counsel with respect to all aspects of civil law, including litigation in the area of probate, police powers, zoning, planning, social services, health care, child welfare, disciplinary appeals and grievances, real and personal property, assessment and taxation, and other civil areas of public law.
3. Represents, confers with and advises officers and employees of clients of the Office of the County Counsel on legal questions pertaining to their duties, powers, functions, and obligations.
4. Attends meetings of boards and commissions to render legal advice.
5. May assist other attorneys involved in legal research and case preparation and may act as lead attorney in training a backup attorney or in working with a less experienced attorney in performing assignments.
6. Drafts or reviews resolutions, ordinances, and proposed State legislation.
7. At all times complies with the Code of Professional Responsibilities, the County Administrative Code and the County Charter.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of experience in the class of Associate Deputy County Counsel or in an equivalent or higher level class as an attorney in the Alameda County classified service. Additionally, each month of service in the classification of Associate Deputy County Counsel in the Office of the County Counsel will be counted as two months experience of the practice of law for purposes of meeting the five year requirement, below.

Or II
Experience:

A minimum of five years of relevant experience practicing law as an attorney.

Licenses:

Current active membership in the California State Bar.
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Methods of legal research involving issues arising from California and federal statutory and constitutional law.
• Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
• Principles and practice of constitutional, civil and administrative law and procedure, California civil and appellate procedures.
• California statutory and constitutional law.
• Law in relation to authority, responsibilities and obligations of public officials, administrative boards and agencies.
• County administrative procedures, ordinances and rules.
• Conducting hearings before administrative tribunals.

Ability to:

• Perform legal research.
• Analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Present oral and written statements of fact, law and argument in a clear and logical manner.
• Prepare correspondence and reports.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions on legal casework and in dealing with people.
• Listen for the sensitive and political issues/considerations underlying requests for legal assistance from clients.
• Respond to various interpersonal reactions of clients, judges and attorneys in a sensitive and tactful manner.
• Frame oral and written comments or argument appropriately within a sensitive and political environment.
• Effectively and positively take direction from Senior, Assistant, Chief Assistant and/or County Counsel.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

PB:tw : 6/4/74
Retyped 2-4-77
TT:sw Revised 2/7/79
Old doc: 0375h.doc
JGS:sw 9/23/93
DF:jc Revised: 3/95
TTsang:jc Revised: 7/95
New doc: 3230.doc
ys/4/01
CSC Date: 5/31/95
MH:po Revised 9/25/06
CSC Date: 7/18/2007
Admin Change 12/3/2007

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.