Supervising Child Protective Services Counsel (#RL2085)
$77.92-$94.71 Hourly / $13,506.16-$16,416.83 Monthly / $162,074.00-$197,001.96 Yearly

Under direction, plans, organizes, supervises and reviews the work of assigned professional, paraprofessional and administrative staff within the Child Protective Services unit in the Office of the County Counsel; performs the full range of legal case management duties; ensures that assigned staff are in compliance with County policies and procedures, and mandated federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the Rules of Professional Conduct; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the full supervisory-level class in the Child Protective Services Counsel classification series. Positions at this level are responsible for the direct supervision of assigned staff, and their compliance with mandated rules and regulations, and County policies and procedures. Areas of responsibility include child protective services, and related fields of law. This position is also responsible for carrying a caseload and serves as a technical expert in the area of legal practice.

• Plans, organizes, supervises and reviews the work of assigned professional, paraprofessional and administrative staff within a legal practice in the Office of the County Counsel; areas of responsibility include child protective services and related fields of law.
• Evaluates employee performance and counsels them on areas of improvement; assists in the selection and promotion processes; recommends disciplinary action or termination.
• Ensures that staff remain current on new legislation or other matters which impact their work, and that staff are properly trained on aspects of mandated compliance.
• Serves as a technical expert in an assigned field of law, rendering advice and legal counsel to offices of San Joaquin County agencies and departments regarding civil matters related to child protective services and juvenile dependency matters.
• Manages a caseload of the most complex cases within assigned practice area; researches and analyzes existing laws and regulations, court decisions, pending legislation and a variety of other legal materials.
• Provides full litigation services; appears in court and before administrative bodies representing assigned departments or practice area; serves as an advocate for departments’ positions in legal matters; examines and cross-examines witnesses; presents oral arguments.
• Conducts depositions of witnesses in court cases; prepares clients for court including training on court processes, procedures and testimony practices.
• Prepares and reviews contracts, briefs, memoranda, opinions, resolutions and pleadings; drafts legislation for special projects.
• Works with management and staff in the development of policies, procedures and processes which are mandated through legislation, or which are best management practices; coordinates training with department staff and other stakeholders such as judges and their clerks, and attorneys for interested parties.
• Works with County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel and the Chief Deputy Counsel in the development of policies and procedures which ensure their own, and supervised staff compliance with County policies and procedures, and mandated federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Attends public agency meetings as legal representative; explains legal requirements and restrictions to meeting participants.
• Performs other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

Experience: Four years in the practice of civil law, with emphasis in representing child protective issues, including two years of related experience in a state or county legal office.

License: Membership in the California State Bar is required.

Legal principles and their applications to laws applicable to child protective services cases; administrative law and the conduct of proceedings before administrative bodies; principles and practices of employee supervision including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline and training of staff in work procedures; principles and practices of legal case management, rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in California courts; principles and practices of legal research; principles and practices of business and legal correspondence and/or document preparation; applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances; rules of professional conduct as determined by the California State Bar; County policies and procedures; techniques for providing optimal legal support to assigned departments; technology practices as it relates to the use of computerized equipment and supporting applications; and techniques for representing the County and its clients in legal proceedings.

Directly supervise the work of assigned staff; conduct extensive legal research; serve as a technical expert in assigned field of law; analyze legal principles and precedents and apply them to complex legal and administrative problems; litigate legal issues; present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; draft opinions, pleadings, rulings regulations and legislation; and independently present difficult and complex cases in court and before administrative agencies; use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines; and establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Mobility – operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods of time; driving; occasional pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; Lifting - frequently 5 pounds or less; occasional 5 to 30 pounds; Visual - constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity- reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; writing; Hearing/Talking- frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological – frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; public speaking; deal with emergency situations; Special Requirements –may require working weekends and nights; working alone; Environmental – occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.