County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction of an Assistant or Chief Assistant County Counsel, performs difficult or complex civil legal matters and represents clients of the Office of the County Counsel that are either complex or are independent from the County with unique legal needs; to mentor, train or assist in the supervision and training on a project basis of the Associate Deputy County Counsels; to handle the duties of the Assistant or Chief Assistant while they are unavailable; and to perform related work as required. Senior Deputy County Counsel is intended to be promotional from within the Office of the Alameda County Counsel, but may be opened to external candidates if the County Counsel determines that the needs of the office cannot be met by a promotional appointment.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

There shall be one Senior Deputy County Counsel per division, unless the County Counsel directs otherwise due to identified office needs. Senior Deputy County Counsel will be expected to regularly handle the more complex matters, perform limited supervisory and administrative functions in the absence of his/her divisional Assistant or Chief Assistant, and will promote the professional development of the office, including mentoring and training Associate Deputy County Counsels. Incumbents report to an Assistant or Chief Assistant County Counsel. This class is distinguished from Deputy County Counsel, in that the Deputy position does not have any regular supervisory or administrative responsibilities and is not required to mentor or train Associate Deputy County Counsels as part of its normal job duties.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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

1. Performs legal research on a wide variety of legal problems; interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in preparing memoranda, notes, briefs, pleadings, and opinions in relation to State and federal law.

2. Represents, confers with, and advises clients of the Office of the County Counsel with respect to all aspects of civil law, including litigation in the area of probate, police powers, zoning, planning, social services, health care, child welfare, disciplinary appeals and grievances, real and personal property, assessment and taxation, and other civil areas of public law.

3. Represents, confers with and advises officers, employees and clients of the Office of the County Counsel on legal questions pertaining to their duties, powers, functions, and obligations.

4. Attends meetings of boards and commissions to render legal advice.

5. Drafts or reviews resolutions, ordinances and proposed State legislation.

6. Promotes the professional development of the office, including advising, training and mentoring and supervision of Associate Deputy Counsels on a project by project basis in researching, preparing, and presenting briefs, arguments, memoranda and other legal documents and in developing professional skills in general.

7. Directly participates in the preparation and presentation of litigation involving specialized or particularly complex bodies of law.

8. Acts as principal legal adviser to one or more County or non-County departments or agencies that require sophisticated or complex legal representation on a routine basis.

9. Assists the Assistant or Chief Assistant in the operation of the division when the Assistant or Chief Assistant is unavailable.

10. At all times comply with the Code of Professional Responsibilities, the County Administrative Code and the County Charter.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of five years’ of full-time service in the class of Deputy County Counsel in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II

The equivalent of six years’ of full-time, increasingly responsible experience as an attorney in the practice of civil law.

Licenses:

Current active membership in the California State Bar.
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator'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 the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Methods of legal research involving issues arising from California and federal statutory and constitutional law.
• Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
• Principles and practice of constitutional, civil and administrative law and procedure, California civil and appellate procedures.
• California statutory and constitutional law.
• Law in relation to authority, responsibilities and obligations of public officials, administrative boards and agencies.
• County administrative procedures, ordinances and rules.
• Conducting hearings before administrative tribunals.

Ability to:

• Perform legal research.
• Analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems.
• Present oral and written statements of fact, law and argument in a clear and logical manner.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Prepare legal correspondence, reports and budgets.
• Supervise mentor and train less experienced attorneys.
• Exercise good judgment, make sound decisions on legal casework and in dealing with people.
• Work effectively with executive staff of the Office of the County Counsel in carrying out duties.
• Listen for the sensitive and political issues/considerations underlying requests for legal assistance from clients.
• Respond to various interpersonal reactions of clients, judges and attorneys in a sensitive and tactful manner.
• Frame oral and written comments or argument appropriately within a sensitive and political environment.
• Provide direction, mentoring and training to less experienced attorneys in a positive and effective manner.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:sw Revised 2/79
Old doc: 0379h
JGS:bb Revised 8/19/93
DF:jc Updated 3/95
TTsang:jc Updated 7/95
New doc: /3240.doc
ys/4/01
CSC Date: 5/31/95
MH:po Revised 9/25/06
CSC Date: 7/18/2007

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.