Civil Attorney I-IV, County Counsel (Labor & Relations)



Job Details

Civil Attorney I-IV, County Counsel (Labor & Relations)
Employer

County of Tulare

Salary

$60,548.00 - $109,562.00 Annually

Location

Visalia, CA

Job Type

Full Time At-Will

Job Number

CT18-004842A

Department

County Counsel

Opening Date

05/17/2018

Closing Date

Continuous

This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies with the County Counsel for Tulare County.  This is a continuous recruitment and can be closed at anytime without notice.

NEXT REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:  June 15, 2018

ABOUT THE OFFICE:

The County Counsel's Office serves as the civil attorney for Tulare County government, the Tulare County Grand Jury, the Tulare County Association of Governments, the Tulare Local Agency Formation Commission, the Public Guardian, and most of the local Memorial Districts and Public Cemetery Districts.  The Office includes 22 Attorneys, plus a compliment of paralegals and support staff. The main office is located in the City of Visalia at the County Civic Center.  A position with the County Counsel's office provides a unique opportunity to study and practice a wide range of law in service to an established and stable client. 
 
The County provides a benefit package including health insurance, vacation, sick benefits, 1937 Act Retirement plan, life insurance and reimbursement for California Bar Dues.  

Applicants may be granted advanced step appointments based upon experience. 

 ANNUAL SALARY RANGES: I: $60,548-$73,792 II: $68,888 - $83,956  III: $79,167 - $96,484    IV: $89,898 - $109,562

Typical Duties

This is a general practice position concentrating on civil litigation including appearing in court and before administrative bodies; handling all aspects of litigation, including appeals, present oral arguments, research and analyze existing laws and regulations, court decisions, pending litigation, and variety of materials.  There may be opportunities to advise hearing officers or other decision makers in administrative proceedings in the areas of public nuisance abatement, code enforcement, business license appeals and tax assessment appeals and to represent the County in collections, and as a bankruptcy creditor.  Experience in a County Counsel's Office, a City Attorney's Office or in a private law firm representing public entities or in a transactions, labor or employment law practice would be a plus for this position.
 

Employment Standards

EXPERIENCE:

Active membership in the State Bar of California is required. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license is required. Newly hired Attorneys will serve At-Will and hold non-competitive status. The Attorney class is flexibly staffed to allow for promotional opportunities as professional experience is gained and demonstrated.

PERSONS APPLYING ABOVE THE I LEVEL MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN LITIGATION
  • Attorney  I:  No experience required. Some familiarity with practice of public law is desirable.
  • Attorney II: Two years in the full-time practice of public civil law or one year work experience in a public civil law agency.
  • Attorney III: Three years of full-time experience in the practice of public civil law or two years work experience in a public civil law agency.
  • Attorney IV: Four years of full-time experience with a public civil law agency or five years of full-time experience in the practice of public civil law.  Lead experience required supervisory experience highly desirable.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment:  Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

Student Loan Forgiveness: This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
 

Bargaining Unit 20

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability).  This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance:
A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
.

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 11 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:

2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 48 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave. Sick leave buy back after 3 years of service.

Group Term Life Insurance: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.


Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.


To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at http://co.tulare.ca.us/government/human/benefits/plans.asp.

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

01
Hiring Department Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application," are not qualifying responses to any of the following questions and will not be considered. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question. The minimum experience requirements for the Attorney I through IV levels are described as follows: ATTORNEY I: No experience required. Some experience demonstrating familiarity with the practice of public law is desirable. ATTORNEY II: Two years of full-time experience in the practice of civil law, preferably with one year of public civil law experience or one year of full-time experience with a public civil law agency. ATTORNEY III: Three years of full-time experience in the practice of public civil law; or two years of full-time experience with a public civil law agency. ATTORNEY IV: Four years of full-time experience with a public civil law agency; or five years of full-time experience in the practice of public civil law. Lead experience required supervisory experience highly desirable. PERSONS APPLYING ABOVE THE I LEVEL MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN LITIGATION Indicate below which level(s) of Attorney you wish to be considered for:
  • Attorney I
  • Attorney II
  • Attorney III
  • Attorney IV
02
PERSONS APPLYING ABOVE THE I LEVEL MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN LITIGATION Indicate below which level(s) of Attorney you wish to be considered for:
  • Attorney I
  • Attorney II
  • Attorney III
  • Attorney IV
03
Are you currently a member of the California State Bar?
  • Yes
  • No
04
QUALIFICATION INQUIRIES The following questions elicit information from you relevant to the position you seek. Please complete this supplement, based on your experience, and return it with your application. The information you provide will be reviewed to determine which candidates will be invited to participate in the Qualifications Appraisal Interviews. It is therefore important that your information provide a thorough and accurate description of your qualifications. Please write answers on separate pages. SECTION A The following inquiries apply to the Attorney I, II, III, and IV levels. Describe any pre-legal experience you have had that will enhance your effectiveness as an attorney.
05
Describe your experience, if any, in speaking in a public forum while presenting on a topic for training purposes. Please include information pertaining to any special training or instruction you may have had in effective public speaking or oral, legal advocacy.
06
Briefly relate why you want to be an Attorney for Tulare County Counsel.
07
Identify the areas of law in which you would like to work: Child and adult Protective Services, labor and employment, tort and writ litigation, or land use and public agency?
08
SECTION B The following inquiries apply to candidates for the Attorney II, III and IV levels. Describe your experience, if any, in providing oral or written legal advice to clients. Identify the most complex project you have performed in this area, and describe it.
09
Describe your practical experience, if any, in the following areas of law: a. Resource (Brown Act, contract or transactions, elections, taxation, real property, land use and planning law, public works law, general construction and or administrative law and code enforcement) b. Labor and Employment (the Public Records Act, administrative hearings, public employee discipline and due process, labor law, harassment or discrimination complaints, HIPAA and HITECH Act, the Peace Officer's Bill of Rights, and the Fire Firefighter's Bill of Rights) c. Litigation (civil litigation – torts, contracts, employment litigation, or real property- disability retirement hearings, assessment appeals hearings, mediation, arbitration, and appellate practice) d. Child and Adult Protective Services (dependency, writs and appeals, child abuse/neglect, conservatorships, and elder abuse)
10
Describe your experience, if any, in appellate practice. Relate the approximate number of appellate/writs in which you have been involved, the extent of your involvement/responsibility, and the nature of the litigation.
11
Describe your experience, if any, in the preparation or review of agreements or contracts, including grant agreements from federal or state agencies. Specify the approximate number and type of agreements you have prepared.
12
Describe your experience in drafting opinion letters or providing general legal advice in any of the areas of law listed above.
13
SECTION C The following inquiries apply to candidates for the Attorney III and IV levels. Describe your experience in the practice of public civil law. Include in your response the general nature of any litigation involved, opinions written, or legal documents produced identifying the specific areas in which you have practiced.
14
Describe your practical experience in the areas of client relations, billing for time worked, workload management, and prioritizing deadlines.
15
Describe your practical experience in the areas of management of, communications with, and supervision of employees.
16
Describe any training seminars or special courses you have attended which have enhanced your skills in the above areas. Indicate the approximate date[s] of attendance and the program sponsor.
17
SECTION D The following inquires apply to candidates for the Attorney IV level. List any areas of law in which you believe that you have achieved a significant level of expertise and describe your experience in those areas and how such expertise and experience could benefit the county.
18
Describe your experience in training or mentoring less experienced attorneys and in training paralegals and managing legal teams. Describe any formal training courses that you have given to groups of attorneys, paralegals or clients. Mention any sponsors for these group training courses.
19
REFERENCE INFORMATION, ALL APPLICANTS: Please list the employers who can confirm the above responses. Include Name, Address and Telephone Number.

* Required Question

Employer
County of Tulare
Address
2500 W Burrel Avenue

Visalia, California, 93291
Phone
(559) 636-4900

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