ATTORNEY IV - COUNTY COUNSEL

THE JOB: The County of Santa Cruz is seeking an experienced land use and public infrastructure attorney. Competitive candidates will have demonstrated expertise handling legal issues in planning and zoning, CEQA, public works, transportation, flood prevention, sanitation, public contracting, and experience working with local land use ordinances and programs (e.g., affordable housing restrictions, vacation rentals, etc.) Experience with issues surrounding the Subdivision Map Act, LAFCO, drainage and flood control, and the Coastal Act would be helpful. This attorney may represent a combination of County departments and commissions that could include the Planning Department, the Planning Commission, the Department of Public Works and the local Sanitation Districts. The majority of work is oriented towards advice and counsel, but the attorney will occasionally be called upon the defend the County in litigation on land use decisions. Previous experience representing boards or commissions in public meetings is desired (e.g., familiarity and comfort with the Brown Act.) Strong oral and written communication skills are important for this position.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these would be:

Attorney IV: Three years of experience* as an attorney practicing civil law for a public agency or four years of experience* as an attorney practicing general civil law. *Qualifying experience must be gained after admission to a State Bar.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Membership in the California State Bar.

Knowledge: Attorney IV: Thorough knowledge of the principles of civil, constitutional and administrative law; judicial procedures and the rules of evidence; principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research; statutes and codes applicable to civil procedures; County ordinances and rules; and precedent decisions impacting County operations.

Ability to: Research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments; draft legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, statutes, and contracts; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with County and governmental officials and the general public.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
VACATION - 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years of service. Available after 1 year of service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accrued each year; can be taken in cash or time off.
HOLIDAYS - 13 paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE - Six days per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - The County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $50,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN - Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay for qualifying child or dependent care expenses may elect this pre-tax program.
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax pro-gram to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. 

WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THAT WOULD REQUIRE TEST ACCOMMODATION, CALL (831) 454-2600. 

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require Fingerprinting and/or Background Investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer

County of Santa Cruz 
                       www.santacruzcountyjobs.com                          
LIVE Here            WORK Here            PLAY Here