Chief Deputy County Counsel
Salary: N/A
DEFINITION: Under general direction, supervises and directs the
work of a division of attorney’s in the County Counsel’s office;
provides legal advice and guidance to the Board of Supervisors,
other county departments, school districts and special districts;
performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a single position management
classification that serves under the direction of the Chief
Assistant County Counsel. It is distinguished from the latter
classification, which is at the assistant department head level
where incumbents relieve the department head of many legal and
administrative duties and act for the department head during
absences or as directed. The Chief Assistant County Counsel is
further distinguished from the class of Deputy County Counsel Senior
by the Chief Assistant’s administrative and supervisory role in the
division.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
1. Supervises a division of attorneys in the County Counsel’s
office; assigns and monitors work; coordinates the provision of
services to clients of the County Counsel.
2. Participates in the selection of professional and
paraprofessional staff; provides training to staff; identifies areas
for employee development, and provides or ensures needed training;
establishes standards and evaluates performance; recommends a
variety of personnel actions, such as merit increases, disciplinary
actions, and promotions for attorneys in the division.
3. Directly or through subordinates provides legal advice to County
departments by providing written or oral opinions on complex legal
issues.
4. Litigates cases in various courts as necessary.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
1. Five years of broad and progressively responsible experience as
an attorney giving legal counsel to governmental agencies or
departments, including two years of administrative responsibilities
and leadworker duties in a public agency legal office; or,
2. two years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class
of Deputy County Counsel Senior; or,
3. a combination of training, education, and experience that is
equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that
provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Additional Qualifications: Active membership in the State Bar of
California. Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Knowledge of: duties, powers, limitations, and authority of the
County Counsel; organization, powers, and limitations of Federal,
State, County and other local governmental functions;
interpretations of applicable laws as they relate to county
government; principles and application of civil law; research
methods and judicial procedures; statutory and constitutional laws
of the State of California; administrative law and procedures;
management principles and practices; operations and management of a
legal office; human resources administration, and effective
supervisory techniques.
Ability to: demonstrate an extremely high degree of legal ability
and skill in trying cases, writing opinions, interpreting the law,
and advising clients; provide effective orientation and training for
subordinate staff; assign, direct, coordinate, and supervise the
work of deputies; help deputies appraise, interpret, and apply legal
principles and precedents to difficult problems; keep abreast of
important new legal developments; effectively and concisely
communicate an understanding of complex legal aspects of government
to County officials and employees without legal training; establish
and maintain effective working relationships with other office staff
members, departmental representatives, elected County officials,
members of advisory and policy-making bodies, legislative
representatives, the courts, and the public.
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