County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION:

Under the direction and Supervision of the General Counsel, ACERA provides legal assistance to General Counsel, ACERA and staff of the Alameda County Employee’s Retirement Association (ACERA) in civil law, retirement law and related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

This single position class is found in ACERA. The incumbent reports to the General Counsel, ACERA and is responsible for conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda to the General Counsel, ACERA. The incumbent must have knowledge of legal principles in trust law, family law, employment law and must be proficient in civil law generally. The incumbent carries out special assignments as directed by the General Counsel, ACERA. Associate Counsel, ACERA differs from the class of General Counsel, ACERA in that the latter performs a broader scope of duties such as providing direct legal assistance and advice to the General Manager, and to Board of Retirement, on such matters as fiduciary duties, the open meeting laws, public records act, drafting of resolutions, preparation and review of all contracts with all third party vendor and supervision of outside legal counsel, and the Associate Counsel, ACERA primarily performs legal research and provides advice to ACERA staff on community property matters and other issues as assigned by the General Counsel, ACERA.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following duties are among the principal duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

1. Conducts legal research and provides legal memoranda to the General Counsel, ACERA in the areas of pension and trust law, benefits law, and the provisions of the County Employees’ Retirement Law relating to the Board of Retirement and ACERA.

2. Provides legal memoranda to General Counsel, ACERA and staff concerning legal rights, remedies, alternatives and consequences.

3. Provides assistance to the General Counsel, ACERA as directed in representing ACERA in legal proceedings to which the Board or ACERA is party.

4. Provides the General Counsel, ACERA and legal division with updates regarding new laws which impose requirements on the Board, including the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board and its members, open meetings law, public records law, administrative law, Roberts Rules of Order, Proposition 162 and the legal relationship between the County and the Board.

5. Under the direct supervision of General Counsel, ACERA researches and writes legal memoranda and letters to ACERA members and staff.

6. Under direct supervision of General Counsel, ACERA drafts legal documents including: pleadings, motions, contracts, resolutions and ordinances.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of two (2) years full-time experience in the class of Deputy County Counsel in the Alameda County Service.

Or II

The equivalent of three (3) years full-time increasingly responsible experience as and attorney in the practice of civil law.

Education:

Graduation from an ABA accredited law school

Licenses:

Current Membership in the California State Bar
California Class “C” Driver’s License

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Legal research
• Principles and practices of constitutional , civil and administrative law and procedures
• Principles and practices of contract law, public pensions, trusts, employee benefits, investments, corporate governance, probate and family and/or government law
• Provisions of law and rules of procedure governing the conduct of hearings before administrative bodies
• California statutory and constitutional law
• Providing legal services for a local, State or Federal public agency (preferably a public pension plan)

Ability to:

• Perform legal research
• Analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems
• Analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action
• Present oral and written statements of fact, law and argument in a clear, logical and persuasive manner
• Prepare correspondence and reports
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions on legal casework and in dealing with people
• Work effectively with hearing officers, outside Counsel, elected officials and ACERA staff in a sensitive and diplomatic manner
• Establish and maintain professional relationships in a team environment with members of the Retirement Board, ACERA staff, members of the Retirement Association, other government agencies, legal, medical and investment professionals and consultants

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

DF:jc
9/30/99
jobspecs/1342

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.