Chief Deputy County Counsel - Land Use Practice Group

The Chief Deputy County Counsel – Land Use Practice Group is a Division Chief under the Assistant County Counsel. Using considerable independent judgment and discretion in staff supervision, the Chief Deputy is responsible for the overall day-to-day administration and management of the functions of the division. The Land Use Practice Group regularly consults on matters of interest to the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator and advises an array of County departments.  The Land Use Practice Group may also be responsible for defending the County's land use decisions and enforcing County Code in State and Federal court.  Ideal candidates for the position will possess:

The Sonoma County Counsel's Office

The Sonoma County Counsel's Office is committed to providing the highest quality legal representation and advice, in a timely and responsive manner, to assist the County, its governing Board of Supervisors, and other clients. The County Counsel's Office works to promote the public interest, achieve programmatic and strategic goals, and protect financial resources.  County Counsel is the primary provider of legal services to the Board of Supervisors, County departments, the Grand Jury, and over 25 special districts.  County Counsel attorneys regularly appear in court on behalf of County departments on such matters as juvenile dependency cases, code enforcement actions, bail recovery, and mental health competency hearings. County Counsel either directly handles or coordinates outside counsel in the defense of all claims filed against the County, and proactively works with departments to minimize risk and assist in policy development and implementation.

It is structured into four practice groups: Health and Human Services; Infrastructure and Public Resources; Land Use; and Litigation. Each Group is supervised by a Chief Deputy County Counsel and overall office supervision functions through the Assistant County Counsel and County Counsel. All staff is relied upon to work independently, meet client needs, and exercise sound judgment.

Choose Sonoma County
 

• An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $1,500
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 11 holidays per year
• County paid premium contribution to several health plan options
• County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• A retirement plan fully integrated with Social Security
• Eligibility for a 5% salary increase after 1040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a 5% salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range

The Civil Service title for this position is Chief Deputy County Counsel.

Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the opportunity
to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, five years of responsible legal
experience with emphasis on practicing civil law as a licensed attorney, at least two years of
which should be at the level of Deputy County Counsel IV. Coursework, training, or supervisory
and administrative experience in a public agency law office is highly desirable.
 
License: Current active membership in the State Bar of California. Possession of a valid
driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State
of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job
functions of the position.

Extensive knowledge and proficiency, in: the interpretation and application of the law as it
relates to a general law county government; legal research methods and judicial procedures;
the principles and application of civil law; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of
California.
 
Thorough knowledge of: organization, powers, and limitations of local government functions;
trial and hearing procedures, and of rules of evidence.
 
Considerable knowledge of: modern public personnel and finance administration; effective
supervisory techniques; written and oral communications, including language mechanics, syntax
and English composition; the principles and application of civil law; legal research methods; the duties, powers, limitations and authorities of the Office of the County Counsel; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; the organization, powers, and limitations of local governmental functions; the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of California.
 
Ability to: analyze and present legal considerations related to the policies, programs, and
operations of the County; further County policies, programs, and operations through creative
interpretation and application of the law; assist in the management of a government law office,
and to administer the office budget; explain complex principles to lay County officers in simple
concise written and oral form; research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and
precedence to complex legal problems; orient, train, supervise, and evaluate subordinate legal
and office support staff; consistently prepare and present statements of law, fact, and argument
clearly, logically, and persuasively in written and oral form, including the most complex legal
matters; effectively communicate an understanding of the legal aspects of Affirmative Action to
lay County officers and employees; establish and maintain effective relationships with fellow
staff members, departmental representatives, County officials, members of advisory and policymaking bodies, legislative representatives, the courts, and the public; understand and accept differences in human behavior and cultural and ethnic backgrounds; analyze and draft ordinances and other regulations.