Deputy County Counsel I/II/III/IV

Vacancies may fill at either level I, II, III or level IV. Candidates need only to apply once; all applications will be screened for the minimum requirements at the highest level they are qualified for. In the case of higher-level vacancies, names from the eligible list will be referred based on qualifying level. For lower-level vacancies, higher level candidates on the eligible list may not be excluded from being referred.

To view the specific job descriptions for each level, please follow the links below:
Deputy County Counsel I
Salary: $40.82 - $54.98 Hourly; $84,901 - $114,356 Annually
Deputy County Counsel II
Salary: $44.89 - $60.75 Hourly; $93,377 - $126,351 Annually
Deputy County Counsel III
Salary: $49.80 - $66.96 Hourly; $103,586 - $139,271 Annually
Deputy County Counsel IV
Salary: $55.00 - $73.86 Hourly; $114,395 - $153,631 Annually

Under close direction, provides a wide range of legal services; advises county departments, officials, and special districts; represents the County in court proceedings; performs other related duties as required.

Deputy County Counsel I:
The Deputy County Counselis the entry and trainee level in the class series for attorneys with or without previous legal experience. Assignments are generally limited in scope and are set within procedural frameworks established by higher level positions. As experience accrues, the incumbent performs with increasing independence. Work requires incumbents to exercise some judgment in selecting appropriate established guidelines to follow. Significant deviations require prior approval. Interpretation of general administrative or operational policies is sometimes necessary. Under supervision, incumbents are expected to handle a wide variety of assigned cases and assignments.

Deputy County Counsel II:
The Deputy County Counsel II is the journey level in the class series that is assigned all phases of legal work of average difficulty. The classification performs the full range of duties as assigned, working semi-independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Incumbents are expected to handle assigned cases and legal issues with only occasional guidance, instruction, or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.

Deputy County Counsel III:
Incumbents in the Deputy County Counsel classification possess a significantly higher level of specialized, technical, and functional expertise then those in lower classifications. Those serving in this position require highly specialized knowledge, abilities, skills, and experience and often exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties. Work is judged primarily on overall results, with great latitude in determining work methods, and entails difficult and complex civil cases and other civil legal work. Incumbents develop recommendations consistent with county policies and regulations and have greater authority over assignments and decisions than those in lower level classifications.

Deputy County Counsel IV:
The Deputy County Counsel IV is the most advanced level classification in the Deputy County Counsel series. Work is performed within a broad framework of general objectives applying concepts, plans and strategies, which may deviate from traditional methods and practices, emphasizing high level expertise and skills required in the performance of complex legal assignments. This classification is distinguished from the next lower level of Deputy County Counsel III by the broader scope and complexity of assignments on a regular and continuing basis that may have far reaching implications, the unique and/or controversial nature of decisions, and providing technical supervision over other Deputy County Counsel positions.

NOTICE: All correspondences, notices and invitations to test and/or interview will be via e-mail through Governmentjobs.com/NEOGOV. Please be sure to set-up your inbox to receive them or check your junk-mail to make sure you are receiving Sutter County's recruitment communications.

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Examples of duties for each position can be found at the links provided above.
The following are the minimum qualifications for this position. Possession of these qualifications does not ensure that an applicant will be interviewed. Applications will be reviewed in comparison with all other applications received.

Deputy County Counsel I:
Knowledge of: General knowledge of the principles and application of civil law, legal principles and practices, and legal research methods; duties, powers, and authority of the County Counsel's office; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; statutory and constitutional laws of the United States and the State of California.

Ability to: Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with fellow staff members, departmental representative, county officials, members of policy making bodies, the courts, and the public.

Education and Experience: A Juris Doctorate from and accredited law school is required.

Deputy County Counsel II:
Knowledge of:Considerable knowledge of the principles and application of civil law, legal principles and practices, and legal research methods; duties, powers, and authority of the County Counsel's office; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; statutory and constitutional laws of the United States and the State of California.

Ability to:Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems; present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with fellow staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, members of policy making bodies, the courts, and the public.

Education and Experience:A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and two years of experience in the practice of law or one year of experience practicing law for a public agency or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Deputy County Counsel III:
Knowledge of:Substantial knowledge of the principles and application of civil law, legal principles and practices, and legal research methods; duties, powers, and authority of the County Counsel's office; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; statutory and constitutional laws of the United States and the State of California.

Ability to:Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems; present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with fellow staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, members of policy making bodies, the courts, and the public.

Education and Experience:A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and three years of experience in the practice of law or two years of experience practicing law for a public agency or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Deputy County Counsel IV:
Knowledge of:Substantial and specialized knowledge of the principles and application of civil law, legal principles and practices, and legal research methods as they relate to providing legal advice and representation to local public agencies; duties, powers, and authority of the County Counsel's office; specialized knowledge of those areas of civil law particularly germane to advising and representing local public agencies, including the Ralph M. Brown Act, conflict of interest laws and regulations, local administrative practice and procedure; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence, particularly as they relate to complex, usual and unique legal problems; statutory and constitutional laws of the United States and the State of California.

Ability to:Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex legal problems of an exacting, demanding or policy making nature; present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with fellow staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, members of policy making bodies, the courts, and the public.

Education and Experience:A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and four years of experience in the practice of law or three years of experience practicing law for a public agency or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Essential Duties require the following physical skills and work requirements:
Requires the ability to maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of exercising sound judgment and rational thinking under varied circumstances; the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; ability to see; ability to hear and communicate orally requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as using a computer or use of other office equipment or supplies; ability to operate a motor vehicle.

License or Certificate:Membership in the State Bar of California. May require the possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver's License.

Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for this position includes completing an application and participating in oral interview(s). Please notify the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date for this position if you believe you have a disability, which would make it difficult to participate in any portion of the recruitment process and would require reasonable accommodation. Sutter County reserves the right to require medical documentation concerning the need for accommodation. Offers of employment are contingent upon investigation of employment history, references, drug testing, medical review/exam and fingerprinting in addition to other appropriate requirements of the position.

NOTE: Sutter County utilizes E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.

The County of Sutter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Sutter County encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.