County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to assist in the administration of the County Counsel Department; to perform specialized legal work in connection with the most controversial legal problems; to supervise an assigned departmental operation; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a legal/administrative class with incumbents reporting to the Chief Assistant County Counsel. Assistant County Counsels assist in the development of departmental policies, long-range plans, procedures, budget preparation, and personnel administration. They are also assigned responsibility for a functional or organizational unit in the department and act as senior attorneys in handling extremely serious or controversial legal matters.

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. Directs legal representation for a program area; personally handles more complex legal matters related to County operations; supervises attorneys handling less complex legal matters or assisting in preparation of legal documents of cases for litigation.

2. Handles day-to-day administration of office operations; acts as office resource on policies and procedures, budget and personnel matters; acts as legal representative for County courts and other agencies that may be assigned; personally handles the most critical litigation and directs the litigation work of others.

3. Assists in developing office procedures, setting standards and policies, and in selecting new employees; assigns work and projects to attorneys, reviews and evaluates work performance and recommends on retention; reviews correspondence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of five years’ full-time experience in the class of Deputy County Counsel or the equivalent of one-year full-time experience in the class of Senior Deputy County Counsel in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

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

License:

Current 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:

· Legal research.
· Trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
· Principles and practice of constitutional, civil and administrative law and procedure, California statutory and constitutional law.
· Law in relation to authority, responsibilities and obligations of public officials, administrative boards and agencies.
· California civil and appellate procedures.
· County administrative law.
· Provisions of law and rules of procedures governing the conduct of hearings before administrative bodies.
· Principles of administration (budget preparation, personnel, and office procedures).

Ability to:

· Direct legal preparation in difficult and complex matters.
· Perform legal research.
· Present oral and written statements of fact, law and argument in a clear and logical manner.
· Exercise good judgement, make sound decisions on legal casework and in dealing with people.
· 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.
· Assist in the planning, organization and supervision of a County Counsel's office.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:dg
Revised: 2/7
Old document: 0376H
JGS:sw
Revised 9/23/93
DF:jc/Updated 3/95
TTsang:jc
Updated 7/95
New document: Jobspecs/3245
ys/4/01
CSC Date: 5/31/95

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.