Date Posted:

February 18, 2015

Salary:

$90,455.78 – $109,949.48 Annually (Dep II) and $104,042.93 - $126,479.47 Annually (Dep III)

Description:

Sonoma County Counsel is seeking a highly motivated, career-oriented attorney, with excellent research and writing skills, the ability to think strategically and creatively, and the desire to assume responsibility and work cooperatively on complex and fast-moving projects. The Deputy County Counsel position represents a great opportunity to work in the beautiful Sonoma wine country and join a collegial team of attorneys and staff committed to public service and quality of life.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill one full-time Deputy County Counsel III vacancy in the Sonoma County Counsel’s Office. The current vacancy will be filled at either the II or III level. Note: If you are interested in applying at the II level, you will need to apply to the separate, concurrent recruitment being conducted for that classification. The employment list established by this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list.

The Deputy County Counsel III provides legal counsel to assigned County departments and agencies. This position will be assigned to the Office’s Litigation Practice Group and requires a strong litigation background including demonstrated experience in preparing and presenting civil cases before the court and administrative bodies. This position may handle a wide range of county legal matters, including tort litigation, section 1983 civil rights actions, ADA issues, contamination issues, land use litigation, including code enforcement, contract litigation, condemnation, and employment law. Experience in eminent domain is desirable.

Qualifications:

Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, two years of legal experience practicing civil law as a licensed attorney, at least one year of which was with a public agency performing duties comparable to a Deputy County Counsel II; or comparable experience in private practice.

Professional License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California.

License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of: written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax and English composition; the principles and application of civil law; legal research methods; the duties, powers, limitations and authorities of the Office of the County Counsel; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; the organization, powers, and limitations of local governmental functions; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California.

Ability to: research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems; prepare, present and conduct cases of law in court; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; develop and maintain effective relationships with other staff members, departmental representatives, county officials, members of advisory and policy-making bodies, the courts and the public; analyze and draft ordinances and regulations.

For more detailed information about examination steps and the hiring process, you are encouraged to go to http://hr.sonoma-county.org/content.aspx?sid=1024&id=1464 and review the Hiring Process Overview.

How to Apply:

Applications are accepted on-line at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma is committed to a policy and actively pursues a program of equal employment and non-discrimination. More information can be found at: http://hr.sonoma-county.org/content.aspx?sid=1024&id=1256

Filing Deadline:

03/04/15