Deputy County Counsel IV

The Deputy County Counsel IV, under general direction, performs the most difficult and complex legal work involved in the provision of legal counsel for County officials, agents, departments, and special districts, and in the defense of the County; may supervise or advise subordinate attorneys; to perform highly responsible professional and administrative legal work and act as a principal legal advisor to large County departments and/or special districts in specialized areas of business; and to perform related work as required
This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

• Study and interpret laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities
• Conduct discovery, examine and interpret evidence; and prosecute on behalf of or defend the County, its officers and employees in the most complex and important civil cases
• Prepare legal briefs; drafts contracts, deeds, leases, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal instruments
• Prepare briefs and pleadings in both trial court and appellate matters; dictate legal briefs and correspondence
• Develop and give legal advice regarding resolution of problems that may have far-reaching implications on County operations and programs
• Acts as legal advisor to a large County department or special district, supervising and participating in the resolution of difficult legal questions regarding powers, duties, procedures and operations
• Attend meetings of boards and commissions as requested and give both oral and written legal advice and counsel
• Handle pretrial and settlement conferences
• Confer with and advise County and special district officers and employees on complex legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions and obligations
• Perform related work as assigned.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Deputy County Counsel IV (Download PDF reader)

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles of civil, constitutional and administrative law and of California and federal civil procedures, particularly as it relates to county government, and other public agency law
• Principles, methods and materials of legal research
• The rules of evidence, discovery practice and appellate practice
• Those areas of law directly affecting public entities and their operation, and public officials and employees and their rights, duties and responsibilities

Working knowledge of:

• Administration of governmental tort claims, public liability and/or Workers’ Compensation claims
• Federal and California labor, employment and equal employment opportunity law
• Public contract preparation and administration, including construction contracts
• State and federal laws relating to County housing authorities, flood control, air pollution and/or other special districts
• County operations and practices, including the Sheriff’s department, the County hospital, Health department, Social Services, the Registrar of Voters, and the administration of Courts
• Knowledge of parliamentary procedures.

Skill and Ability to:

• Draft legal instruments such as ordinances, resolutions, Board orders, Joint Powers Agreements, and contracts
• Analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents and present such materials clearly and concisely either in oral or in written, legal form
• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments and give sound legal advice or devise appropriate plan of action based thereon
• Establish and maintain confidential relationships with County department heads and members of the Board of Supervisors
• Develop and maintain cooperative work relationships both within the County Counsel’s Office and with those contacted within the course and scope of work.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience:

Two years experience as Deputy County Counsel III with Monterey County; or three years of increasingly responsible experience with a public agency in the appropriate legal specialty at a level comparable to a Deputy County Counsel III in Monterey County;

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in a county counsel’s office, city attorney or other civil public law office as a second level journeyman; A combination of both.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• 
  Possess an active membership in the State Bar of California
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the G Unit Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

COVID-19:
On July 30, 2021 the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors took action to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all employees to include new hires. The vaccination requirement is in accordance with Section 25 of the County of Monterey Emergency Response Manual and COVID-19 Prevention Program Link. Applicants who accept employment with the County of Monterey, will be required to be fully vaccinated. However, individuals may request medical or religious exemptions and will be required to complete the appropriate request and certification forms for review and approval no later than their start date. Medical /Religion.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Channelle Ceralde, Senior Personnel Analyst, at (831) 755-5162, or ceraldec@co.monterey.ca.us.