Deputy County Attorney Senior, Civil Division

The purpose of the Deputy County Attorney, Civil Division is to provide competent legal advice and representation to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and other County elected officials and to assist the County Attorney in all civil matters. This attorney stands as a gatekeeper for all legal actions taken by the BOS and helps further County goals and helps minimize the risk of litigation against the County as well as the personal liability of County elected officials for their official actions.

This position provides legal advice and representation for assigned County bodies as well as legal revision and approval of the County's legal contracts.

This position does not supervise other employees.

• Provides legal advice and representation for Board of Supervisors, other County elected officials, County department heads, and boards of Gila Community College District and other special taxing districts. Prosecutes all civil actions involving the County and defends the County in all civil actions not covered by the County insurance risk pool.
  Time: 50%
• Provides legal review, revision and approval of legal contracts entered into by County.
  Time: 20%
• Assists County Attorney in other assigned tasks and acting for County Attorney in assigned adjudicative proceedings.
  Time: 20%
• Provides consultation to newer attorneys within County Attorney’s Office.
  Time: 10%
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  Time: 0%

This position has no responsibility over any types of budget.

Provides legal review of project contracts involving organizational development; process improvement; capital development; human resources projects; employee training and development projects.

This position trains colleagues, explains County procedures or processes, responds to public inquiries, participates in meetings, speaks with the media, negotiates or persuades, conducts meetings and provides advocacy before the courts.

This position creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails, procedures, formal letters, proposals and grants, reports and court pleadings and motions. Provides contract reviews and approvals from the legal standpoint.

Interacts extensively with employees, the public, Board of Supervisors, regulatory bodies, and other Institutions over the telephone, by email, and/or in person.

Regularly (More than 55% but less than 70% in a year)

Juris Doctorate Degree

Five (5) years of senior legal capacity experience in a public sector environment.

State Bar of Arizona--Admission to the State Bar.
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License if position duties require.

Business law; law and government; law enforcement and contract preparation.

Because this position provides legal advice and approves contracts for all positions in County government, individuals in the position should have a broad understanding of all County functions or at least an ability to quickly learn about all County functions.

Knowledge of the operation of the Arizona State Legislature;
Arizona Revised Statues Annotated as they relate to Counties, unincorporated communities, employment, planning and zoning, County Ordinances, and other pertinent laws affecting Gila County.

Analytical thinking; analytical writing; communicating diplomatically; public speaking (large groups); persuading and influencing; negotiating; problem solving and developing alternative solutions.

Speak clearly and sensibly; maintain oratory ability under stressful situations; imagine outcomes of particular actions; consider options, risks, and benefits; read and write at professional level,

• Regularly stands to present.
• Regularly sits to operate computers.
• May be required to lift work related materials or equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Incumbents in this position may be required to walk or drive to and from work sites, to attend meetings and/or other gatherings.

Incumbents in this position regularly spends time in office environment, in lobby environment and in library; occasionally spends time in automobile.

Incumbents in this position may become exposed to telephone verbal abuse by customers or citizens and/or individuals with high level of emotional distress; may be exposed to physical danger and mechanical hazards.

Incumbents in this position are required to constantly follow written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department.

Potential errors can have legal ramifications, loss of funding, loss of organization’s credibility.