Deputy County Counsel I-IV - Child Welfare Services

County Of Humboldt; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Humboldt seeks a Deputy County Counsel to provide legal services and advice to the Board of Supervisors, County management staff, and commissions. The Deputy County Counsel may handle juvenile, child welfare, criminal, and other matters, with increasing responsibility across levels.

The role involves research, drafting, and representation in hearings, with opportunities to lead and mentor staff. A California Bar member and a valid driver's license are required.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid California driver's license.
• Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association.

Responsibilities

• Advise County departmental management concerning duties, powers, functions and obligations.
• Perform a wide range of legal work in juvenile, child welfare, criminal, public guardian, special districts and mental health.
• Research legal problems and prepares opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, permits and other legal documents.
• Prepare and try routine to difficult cases, often involving a specialized body of law.
• Represent the County in administrative hearings before boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
• Assist other attorneys in all phases of legal work.
• Attend County departmental, board and commission meetings to provide legal advice on a variety of matters.
• Investigate and prepare reports regarding claims against the County.
• Review ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents for legal sufficiency; recommends modifications as required.
• Maintain accurate records and files and compile reports of work performed.
• Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluate their impact on County operations and recommends action.
• Direct the work of professional and support staff as assigned.

Skills

Civil law

Administrative law

Evidence rules

Legal research

Constitutional law

Public official duties

County government structure

Hearing procedures

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Please Note:

• The assignment for this position will be representing Child Welfare Services.
  

• This recruitment is open until filled. County Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.
• Applications will be collected and forwarded to the department on a weekly basis.

Under general supervision, performs legal work of a routine to complex nature in representing the County and providing advice and counsel to the Board of Supervisors and County management staff and commissions and committees; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a multi-level class in which incumbents may be assigned to any of four levels, depending upon experience, proficiency gained, and the complexity of assigned projects. The work may be related to any of a number of legal specialty areas and normally includes providing legal services for one or more County departments and their associated elected officials and appointed boards and commissions. Involvement in formal litigation, discretionary powers, and direction of the work of other professional staff increase as incumbents progress through the various levels. Deputy County Counsel IV is considered to be the highest level non-supervisory class, fully capable of working independently in any number of specialist areas and provides direction and training to less experienced staff. While expertise may be gained in a specialized area, incumbents may direct or assist with legal matters in any area of county agency law. These classes are distinguished from Assistant County Counsel in that the latter is a full supervisory class with responsibility for a major area of County legal matters and may act as the County Counsel on a relief basis.

• Advises County departmental management concerning their respective duties, powers, functions and obligations.
• Performs a wide range of legal work in such areas as juvenile, child welfare, criminal, public guardian, special districts and mental health.
• Researches legal problems and prepares opinions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, permits and other legal documents.
• Prepares and tries routine to difficult cases, often involving a specialized body of law.
• Represents the County in administrative hearings before boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
• Assists other attorneys in all phases of legal work.
• Attends County departmental, board and commission meetings to provide legal advice on a variety of matters.
• Investigates and prepares reports regarding claims against the County.
• Reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents for legal sufficiency; recommends modifications as required.
• Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
• Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on County operations and recommends appropriate action.
• Directs the work of professional and support staff as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Civil and administrative law and procedures.
• Procedures and practices and effective techniques in presentation of court cases.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Principles, methods and techniques of legal research and investigation.
• State and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting County agencies' operation.
• Responsibilities and obligations of public officials and administrative agencies.
• County governmental organization, structure and functional responsibilities.
• Rules of procedure governing the conduct of hearings before administrative bodies.

Skill in:

• Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.
• Presenting statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
• Exercising sound, independent judgment within the general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
• Interpreting state and federal laws and constitutional provisions affecting County operations.
• Representing the County effectively in hearings, courts of law and meetings with others. Preparing clear, concise and legally sufficient resolutions, ordinances, contracts, leases, permits, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements:

Must possess a valid California driver's license. Must be a current member of the California State Bar Association.

Desirable Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

• Deputy County Counsel I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university, plus an appropriate law degree.
• Deputy County Counsel II: In addition to the above, one year of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting.
• Deputy County Counsel III: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (a total of three years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting.
• Deputy County Counsel IV: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience (for a total of five years) as an attorney engaged in the practice of law in the State of California, preferably in a county government setting. Demonstrated increased ability to litigate a wide variety of civil lawsuits and to advise County agencies with a minimum of supervision is required for advancement to the level of Deputy County Counsel IV.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The County utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position.

If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access and opportunities in its programs, activities, and employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disabilities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. If invited to an examination and you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Human Resources immediately at [phone] so arrangements can be made.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES

Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.