Assistant County Counsel – Land Use, Groundwater Management​/Public Works Contracting

Assistant County Counsel – Land Use, Groundwater Management, and/or Public Works Contracting

5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

• Annual Leave – The candidate selected for this position will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption – Ability to reimburse up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave within the previous 12 months.
• Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. Up to 3% match on contributions. After 5 years, an additional 2% non‑elective contribution.
• Health Plans – Flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from authorized plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Reimbursement of pre‑tax dollars for approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan – County and employee contributions to the Retirement Plan and Social Security; possible reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
• Holidays – 12 paid days per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits – Professional Memberships, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Program.

The County Counsel’s Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in civil law matters. The Office has about 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel. Assistants are classified as Civil Attorney I/II/III or Senior Civil Attorney.

An Assistant County Counsel position is available at the Civil Attorney III or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending upon candidate experience. The role advises and represents the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees regarding land use, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting matters.

• Civil Attorney III: $ – $
• Senior Civil Attorney: $ – $

• OPENING DATE:
  November 12, 2025
• CLOSING DATE:
  Continuous
• FIRST REVIEW COMPLETE: on or about December 1, 2025
• EXAMINATION DATE:
  To be determined

• Advises County officers, departments, and staff regarding land use matters, interpretation and application of county zoning ordinances, plans and policies, groundwater management, and public works contracting and construction disputes.
• Prepares and reviews staff reports, contracts, permits, real property instruments, and other documents for legal sufficiency; corresponds with other entities and attorneys regarding same.
• Acts as legal adviser to County officers, departments, boards, and commissions, including at public meetings and hearings.
• Drafts ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative measures.
• Monitors legal developments, evaluates impact on County operations, and recommends appropriate action.
• Prepares formal written legal opinions.
• Prepares and reviews litigation documents such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and appellate briefs.
• Represents client agencies in court trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings, and appeals.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Entrance requirements to the recruitment process: graduation from law school and active membership in the State Bar of California.

• Civil Attorney III – Minimum of four (4) years of professional legal experience.
• Senior Civil Attorney – Minimum of six (6) years of professional legal experience.

• Knowledge of and experience in at least one of the following specialties:
  Land Use, Groundwater Management, Public Works Contracting.

• County attorneys prohibited from engaging in private practice of law for compensation.
• Accept political reform act disclosure filing within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

Comprehensive knowledge of land use law, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting; legal principles and application; rules of professional conduct; rules of evidence; legal research…