Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV/V - Merced County (Merced)

SJCL; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 188,000; Full time

Job summary

Merced County in Merced, CA seeks Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV/V to serve as legal counsel for boards and commissions and to advise County offices and departments. The role includes drafting ordinances, contracts, and other legal instruments, and defending civil actions in multiple courts.

Positions range across levels II–V with increasing responsibilities. Salary ranges from $98,404.80 to $188,156.80 annually, reflecting experience and level within the Merced County legal team.

Qualifications

• Level II requires 1 year of civil, criminal, or administrative law experience.
• Level III requires 2 years of increasingly responsible civil law experience.
• Level IV requires 1 year as Deputy County Counsel III or 4 years of civil law experience.
• Level V requires 3 years as Deputy County Counsel IV or 7 years of civil law experience.

Responsibilities

• Serves as legal counsel and attends meetings of boards and commissions.
• May act as legal advisor to County offices and departments.
• Prepares formal legislative measures, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, leases, and other legal instruments.
• Prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the County and special districts in federal and state court, appellate courts, and various administrative bodies.
• Confers with and advises officers of County departments and representatives of special districts on questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions, and obligations.
• May provide lead direction and act as a legal resource to other professional staff.
• Assists the County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel, and Chief Deputy County Counsels as needed.

Skills

Civil law experience

Job description

Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV/V - Merced County (Merced)

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as legal counsel and attends meetings of boards and commissions.
• May act as legal advisor to County offices and departments.
• Prepares formal legislative measures, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, leases, and other legal instruments.
• Prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the County and special districts in federal and state court, appellate courts, and various administrative bodies.
• Confers with and advises officers of County departments and representatives of special districts on questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions, and obligations.
• May provide lead direction and act as a legal resource to other professional staff.
• Assists the County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel, and Chief Deputy County Counsels as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Level II - One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil, criminal, or administrative law; or an equivalent combination of legal training and experience such as judicial clerkship, externship, internship, or contracts/legal compliance management providing substantial exposure to public agency or court operations.
• Level III - Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of civil law.
• Level IV - One (1) year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel III with Merced County. OR Four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil law.
• Level V - Three (3) years of experience as a Deputy Counsel IV with Merced County. OR Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of civil law.

Salary Range: $98,404.80 - $188,156.80 Annually