POSITION INFORMATION
The ideal candidate will meet the minimum qualifications as described below, but will also have at least four years of experience practicing law within a public entity.
BENEFITS
Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.
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For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.
DEFINITION
(Unclassified)
To assist the County Counsel in managing and directing the overall operations of the Office of County Counsel; to plan, organize and direct the activities of the office; to provide highly complex staff assistance to the County Counsel; to act for the County Counsel in the absence of or at the direction of the County Counsel; and to supervise the work of assigned subordinate staff.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Chief Assistant County Counsel serves as full-line assistant to the County Counsel; assumes responsibility for a major division; performs general administrative tasks for the County Counsel; and acts of behalf of the County Counsel in the absence of or at the direction of the County Counsel.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the County Counsel.
Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- In the absence of the County Counsel, assume the responsibility for the County Counsel’s Office.
- Advise the County Counsel on issues concerning all County departments or district offices; meet with and advise the Board of Supervisors, County Executive Officer, other County boards, commissions, district officers and County departments with respect to both legal advice and litigation.
- Prepare complex legal reports, opinions, briefs, and appeals.
- Perform research, investigations, and detailed legal preparation for the trial or defense of the County and/or direct civil litigation involving State and Federal courts, including, but not limited to, jury or court trials, law and motion, discovery, and appeals.
- Prepare or reply to correspondence concerning civil matters.
- Review and prepare proposed State legislative matters.
- Advise subordinates on the interpretation and application of statutes and decisional law ordinances and office policies and procedures.
- Assist the County Counsel in managing and directing the office.
- Assist in developing goals and objectives for the office.
- Develop and implement the County Counsel’s work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review, evaluate, and recommend changes; work with and assist subordinates with problems and recommend course of action.
- Oversee preparation of the office budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administer the approved budget.
- Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as requested; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the County Counsel’s Office.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
- Represent the Office to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance, as necessary.
- Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
- Perform a variety of special assignments and related duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions. Position may require travel to and from other locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions and work odd or unusual hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Ten years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of law with substantial experience in civil, constitutional, and administrative legal work and litigation including four years of administrative and management responsibility in a senior or executive leadership role. At least two years of the total required experience must have been with a County Counsel’s Office preferably performing duties similar to a Supervising Deputy County Counsel in Placer County.
Training: A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Required License or Certificate:
- Admission to practice before State and Federal courts.
- Active membership in good standing in the California State Bar Association.
- May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge:
- All aspects of legal administration, including appropriate methods, procedures, and technical expertise.
- Principles and practices of civil, constitutional, and administrative law; judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
- Responsibilities, powers, and statutory limitations of the County Counsel's office.
- Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.
- Powers and limitations of County governmental functions and of the California Constitution.
- Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
- Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
- Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
- Budget preparation and administration.
- Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
- Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
- Modern office procedures and computer equipment.
Ability to:
- On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical information; research and analyze case law, regulations, policies, and procedures; complete a high volume of tasks at once with unscheduled and frequent changes; recall and utilize a variety of information; make high-impact decisions; work under time pressure; and focus on a single task for long periods of time.
- On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; occasionally walk and stand for long periods of time; intermittently twist, stoop, kneel, squat, and reach to access equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, write, or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient visual acuity to perform essential job functions and interpret nonverbal behavior; hear to receive complex and detailed information; talk to communicate and present information to court, boards and commissions, and community groups; and lift light weight.
- Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the County Counsel's Office.
- Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems.
- Exercise initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment to solve difficult administrative, technical, and personnel problems.
- Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments.
- Draft legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, statues, and contracts.
- Prepare and present concise and logical statements of fact, law, argument, and technical and administrative reports.
- Develop and implement policies, systems, and procedures to improve operations.
- Interpret, analyze, explain, and apply complex laws, legal documents, rules, and regulations.
- Prepare and administer a budget.
- Assign, train, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
- Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The County Counsel's Office will receive all application materials and contact the most qualified applicants to schedule a hiring interview.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Length of Probation
This classification serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority and has no specific term and no right to continuous employment.
Bargaining Unit
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.