County Counsel Attorney I, II, III

Job Description:

County Counsel Attorney I, II, III

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

COUNTY COUNSEL ATTORNEY I, II, and III

Salary may be negotiable within the applicable range of the classification, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

Salary Information:

Attorney I - $44.70 up to $54.04 hourly

Attorney II - $52.28 up to $58.27 hourly

Attorney III - $59.83 up to $82.86 hourly

Effective June 27, 2025, the salary schedule will be increased by 4.0%

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill current and future Attorney I, Attorney II, and Attorney III positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will close on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

COUNTY COUNSEL

The Office of County Counsel is charged with providing civil legal services to County government, e.g., defending and prosecuting litigation, advising the Board of Supervisors, and providing opinions to the County and district officers on matters pertaining to their duties. The Office, as provided by the Government Code, was created on September 16, 1941, by Ordinance No. 432. Most of County Counsel's functions are defined and mandated by California statutes, County ordinances, Board resolutions, Board policy and case law.

County Counsel acts as in-house counsel. The primary client is the Board of Supervisors, but all County officers and employees receive County Counsel's services. Legal services are also provided to some independent local public entities such as the Grand Jury and the Orange County Flood Control District. Legal services are not provided to individual citizens.

Click here for more information about the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Office of the County Counsel has opportunities for County Counsel Attorney I, II, and IIIs who will contribute to our mission of making Orange County a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work and play. We hire qualified candidates demonstrating a great attitude, absolute integrity, remarkable talent, stellar credentials, grit, and a passion for public service.

The Office of County Counsel is seeking attorneys with an interest or experience in civil, criminal and/or government law who are prepared to conduct hearings, try cases, examine witnesses, lodge evidentiary objections, and deliver oral arguments. Strong analytical skills and expansive collaborative abilities are prerequisites. The immediate vacancy is for a trial deputy for Child Protection Team, which requires daily appearance in Juvenile Dependency Court to handle all aspects of the Social Services Agency (SSA) cases where abused and neglected children need immediate protection. Prior experience specifically in Child Dependency law, though helpful, is not a pre-requisite.

Future opportunities may be available in the office’s various civil advisory and litigation services. Advisory attorneys provide legal guidance about government operations. Advisory teams cover broad practice areas such as environmental, constitutional, contract, privacy, real estate, child abuse, tax, election, transparency, and probate laws. The office has a general litigation team that defends and prosecutes civil matters on behalf of the County of Orange and its officers in both Federal and State courts, both at the trial level and on appeal. The office also has litigation teams that focus on specific areas of the law such as juvenile dependency, mental health conservatorship, and probate proceedings.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal professional with extensive knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following core competencies:

TECHNICAL | TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Understanding of civil legal procedure, including writs and appeals in State and Federal courts.
• Understanding and application of California public law, including the Government Code, Penal Code, and Welfare & Institutions Code.
• Preparing formal opinions; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, conveyances; preparing pleadings; conducting legal litigation.
• Representing clients in criminal or civil court proceedings, jury trials, depositions, and/or administrative hearings.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING | INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Working collaboratively with team members to achieve objectives.
• Thriving in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

JUDGMENT | PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

• Identifying, evaluating, and resolving issues as they arise, using decision-making abilities and technical expertise.
• Developing solutions, proposing solutions, achieving measurable results, and implementing best business practices.
• Receiving complaints, evaluating evidence, and determining the justification for taking legal action.
• Exercising discretion and independent judgment in performing job duties.

COMMUNICATION | ORAL AND WRITTEN SKILLS

• Interacting effectively and tactfully with client agencies/departments, judges, and opposing counsel.
• Maintaining strong oral advocacy skills in court proceedings, public meetings, and professional engagements.
• Possessing strong writing skills and background in preparing briefs and other legal memoranda
• Writing formal opinions as to the legality of actions; drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, conveyances, and other legal documents.
• Composing pleadings and other written communication in connection with lawsuits, trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click on the links below to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Attorney I and Attorney II classifications.

Attorney I :

License Required : Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in the state of California and eligible to practice law in the state of California. OR

• Applicants awaiting most recent California Bar Examination results may apply. An active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the state of California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment. AND
• Possession of a California Class C Drivers License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation to carry out the essential functions of the job.

Experience : None Required

There is no permanent status in this classification. Incumbents who do not promote to Attorney II within one year from the date of appointment will be subject to termination of their Attorney I status and/or County employment.

Attorney II :

License Required : Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in the state of California and eligible to practice law in the state of California. OR

• Members in good standing of California State Bar and have been assigned a license number, but have inactive membership status are also welcome to apply. A n active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the state of California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment. AND
• Possession of a California Class C Drivers License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation to carry out the essential functions of the job.

Experience : Twelve (12) months of experience as an attorney in the practice of civil, governmental, criminal or child support enforcement law or comparable experience that would demonstrate the application of knowledge and abilities listed.
There is no permanent status in this classification. Incumbents who do not promote to Attorney II within one year from the date of appointment will be subject to termination of their Attorney I status and/or County employment.

Attorney II I :

License Required: Active membership in the State Bar of California and eligible to practice law in the State of California. OR

• Members in good standing of California State Bar and have been assigned a license number, but have inactive membership status are also welcome to apply. A n active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in the state of California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment. AND
• Possession of a California Class C Drivers License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation to carry out the essential functions of the job.

Experience : Two (2) years of experience as an attorney in the practice of civil, governmental, criminal or child support establishment and enforcement law or comparable experience that would demonstrate the application of the knowledge and abilities listed.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials for minimum qualifications. After the initial screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step of the selection process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application-Appraisal Panel Assessment (Weighted 100%)

An Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) of job knowledge experts will thoroughly screen and evaluate the application and supplemental questionnaire for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to military veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Emmanuel Tamayo at (714)834-4633 or e mmanuel.tamayo@ocgov.com

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 1/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

See Position Description