Deputy County Counsel I​/II​/III​/IV​/V

Salary : $7,007.00 - $15,465.34 Monthly
Location : Bakersfield, CA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 9954
Department: COUNTY COUNSEL
Opening Date: 01/14/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Position Information

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice.

Salary (paid bi-weekly):
Level I: $3,234.00 - $3,864.93
Level II: $3,718.71 - $4,444.20
Level III: $4,297.41 - $5,135.80
Level IV: $5,325.32 - $6,364.25
Level V: $5,972.63 - $7,137.85

Appraisal (Weight 100%):
Will be conducted for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position. Appraisal can be based on any combination of the following:
Investigation, oral exam, and/or rating of the application.

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards:
Levels I/II/III/IV/V:

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• Admitted, or eligible for admission, to the United States District Court for Eastern California.
• Incumbents must have the ability to travel to remote locations within Kern County for the performance of job duties.

In addition to the Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards listed above:

Level II: One (1) year of progressively responsible experience in the private or public practice of law as an attorney, preferably with experience emphasizing municipal law, trial practice or administrative law. A post-doctoral degree in law may be substituted for up to one (1) year of experience as a practitioner.
Level III: Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the private or public practice of law as an attorney. One (1) year of experience emphasizing governmental, trial practice or administrative law is preferred. A post-doctoral degree in law may be substituted for up to one (1) year of experience as a practitioner.

Level IV: Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the private or public practice of law as an attorney. Two (2) years of experience emphasizing governmental, trial practice or administrative law is preferred. A post-doctoral degree in law may be substituted for up to one (1) year of experience as a practitioner.

Level V: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the private or public practice of law as an attorney. Three (3) years of experience emphasizing governmental, trial practice or administrative law is preferred. A post-doctoral degree in law may be substituted for up to one (1) year of experience as a practitioner.
A writing sample of no more than 5 pages may be requested by the hiring department at or after the time of interview.
Applicants must submit all applicable diplomas, transcripts, licenses and/or certificates with their application to the Kern County Human Resources Division by the final filing date.

Please ensure applicable materials are attached to your application. If you are unable to attach application materials to your application, you may deliver a copy to the Human Resources Division at 1115 Truxtun Ave. First Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301 or send your application materials by email to:

This position works within The County Council Department of Kern. For more information about the department, please visit their website here.

Full Job Description s for:
About Kern County
Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.
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Growth Mindset

We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.

Additional Information
This examination will establish an eligible list from which an immediate appointment will be made. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.
Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Kern County Employee Benefits

* As a regular or provisional employee of Kern County, working twenty (20) hours or more per week, you are presently eligible for the following benefits as described below:

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