County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to assist in the administration of the County Counsel's 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 class represents the first level of administration in the County Counsel's Department. Chief Assistant County Counsels assist in the development of departmental policies, long-range plans, procedures, budget preparation, and personnel/administration. They may also be 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. Acts as County Counsel in his absence and has full responsibility for the department as assigned by County Counsel.

2. Personally handles most complex legal matters related to County schools operations; supervises attorneys handling less complex legal matters or assisting in preparation of legal documents or cases for litigation.

3. Handles day-to-day administration of office operations; acts as office resource on policies and procedures, budget, and personnel matters; personally handles important litigation or directs work of others on matters of litigation.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of three years’ full-time experience in the class of Deputy County Counsel or the equivalent of two years of experience in the class of Senior Deputy County Counsel or Assistant 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 four 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.
• California statutory and constitutional law, including the law relating to the authority, responsibilities, and obligations of public officials and administrative boards and agencies.
• California civil and appellate procedures
• County administrative law and the provisions of law and rules of procedure governing the conduct of hearings before administrative bodies.
• Principles of administration, including budget preparation, personnel, and office procedures.

Ability to:

• Direct legal preparation in difficult and complex matters.
• Do legal research.
• Present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Assist in the planning, organization, and supervision of a County Counsel's Office.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

GAC:pb
7/1968
Retitled 8/78
TT:lh
Old document: 0377h
JGS:bb:08/19/93
New document: Jobspecs/3250
ys/4/01

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.