Remote

Deputy County Counsel II/III

County of Santa Barbara
See Position Description
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, long term disability, retirement plan, relocation assistance
United States, California, Santa Barbara
1226 Anacapa Street (Show on map)
Dec 03, 2024
Description Notice of Change: This recruitment has been extended and will now be closing on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 by 4:59PM. Deputy County Counsel II Salary: $108,576.16 - $130,918.78 Annually Deputy County Counsel III Salary: $124,903.70 - $150,857.03 Annually Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Santa Barbara County! This is your chance to leverage your legal expertise and have a meaningful impact in one of California's most vibrant communities. The County of Santa Barbara is looking for a Deputy County Counsel II/III to join our team and play a pivotal role in serving the Board of Supervisors and County departments. The position is in Santa Barbara for the Office of County Counsel. The applicant may have the opportunity to discuss remote work schedule contingent upon the needs of the department. We are also establishing one employment list for future full-time, part-time and extra-help (temporary) vacancies in the Office of County Counsel. Please select all the job types and locations you're willing to consider for both current and future roles. The current vacancy is for a litigation attorney to handle, under general direction, professional legal work, including civil litigation. This would require the preparation of legal pleadings, providing legal counsel to departments, boards, and districts, and related work as required. BENEFITS OVERVIEW: Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment. Holidays: 12 days per year. Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement. Retirement: The County offers a Defined Benefit Plan. The County also contributes 0.24% of base salary to a 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan. There is voluntary participation in a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium. On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 5. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: Retirement reciprocity Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate For more information about the County's benefits, click HERE. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Deputy County Counsel I/II/III/IV/Senior is a flexibly staffed series. Deputy County Counsel I is the entry-level class in this professional series in which incumbents receive orientation and training and are expected to progress to the class of Deputy County Counsel II within a reasonable length of time. Incumbents in the Deputy County Counsel III class handle the more difficult legal tasks while Deputy County Counsel IV incumbents handle the most difficult and complex cases and assist with training. Candidates may be appointed at the II or III level depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department. Incumbents must be willing and able to travel throughout the County. About the Department : Santa Barbara County's Office of County Counsel offers a great career opportunity for attorneys seeking meaningful work in the public sector. Our work impacts a broad range of significant legal issues in beautiful Santa Barbara County. We support the County's elected and appointed decision-makers, its advisory boards and commissions, and the departments that implement the County's operations and programs. We also defend or prosecute all civil litigation in which the County, or its officers or employees in their official capacities, are parties. The Ideal Candidate will have: Strong legal research and analytical skills; Experience advising public entities; researching and writing legal opinions; and handling civil litigation; Ability to research, analyze, and present complex legal issues and arguments clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing; Ability to work efficiently and effectively as part of a team; Ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities; Good professional judgment in answering questions, releasing information, and anticipating consequences of decisions and recommendations; Ability to remain calm and act professionally, even under stress; and Adaptability, a positive attitude, impeccable character, and strong commitment to public service Examples of Duties Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs; Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, appeals, and judgments Represents the County in lawsuits by or against the County; Represents the County in administrative hearings before state and county agencies; engages in legal research; and performs related work Employment Standards Active membership in the State Bar of California; AND One year of experience as an attorney in the practice of public law or two years in the practice of general civil law; OR, One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy County Counsel I with the County of Santa Barbara; OR, 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: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required at time of appointment. Knowledge of: the organization, powers, and limitations of the county, the courts, special districts, and other public agencies; civil law codes and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law; code of Professional Conduct and Rules of Ethics. Ability to: appraise, interpret, and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal problems; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; engage in legal research; work effectively with others. Supplemental Information APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates. Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution. Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines. Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. Statement of Commitment The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential. We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances. We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members. We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity. APPLICATION DEADLINE AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 by 4:59 PM PST.** Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. Leza Patatanian Talent Acquisition Analyst II - LPatatanian@countyofsb.org