Chief Deputy County Counsel

CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL

$16654 $22746 Monthly

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

• Assists in the planning organization direction and supervision of the work of a major legal unit in the County Counsels office; assists in the coordination of policy application within the division and coordinates with other units/divisions as necessary.
• Assists in the assignment of cases managing workload supervision training and evaluation of the work of Deputy County Counsels; provides guidance and advice to attorneys on complex legal issues.
• Reviews legal documents briefs pleadings legal opinions contracts leases ordinances research work and other legal instruments prepared by attorneys in the division.
• Acts as legal advisor to County officials on complex legal issues; develops and gives legal advice on issues of major significance on County programs and operations.
• Represents the County and other agencies in court and administrative proceedings; handles pre-trial and settlement conferences.
• Prepares legal opinions and briefs; drafts contracts ordinances leases resolutions and other legal instruments; study and interprets laws court decisions and other legal authorities.
• Attends meetings of boards and commissions and gives oral and written legal advice and counsel.

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles and application of civil constitutional and administrative law and of California and federal civil procedures particularly as it relates to county government and other public agency law.
• Principles methods and materials of legal research and writing.
• Those areas of law directly affecting public entities and their operation and public officials and employees and their rights duties and responsibilities.

Working Knowledge of:

• State and federal laws relating to environmental quality control land use planning zoning LAFCO and redevelopment.
• Public contract preparation and administration including construction contracts.
• County operations and practices including the Sheriffs Department the County hospital Health department Social Services the Registrar of Voters and the administration of Courts.

Skill and Ability to:

• Use a personal computer for case management to prepare reports and enter and retrieve information.
• Analyze appraise and organize facts evidence and precedents and present such materials clearly and concisely either in oral or in written legal form.
• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments and give sound legal advice or devise an appropriate plan of action.
• Draft legal instruments such as ordinances resolutions Board orders Joint Powers Agreements and contracts.
• Establish and maintain confidential relationships with County department heads and members of the Board of Supervisors.
• Develop and maintain cooperative work relationships both within the County Counsels Office and with those contacted within the course and scope of work.

Any combination of training education and/or experience which provides the knowledge skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience

Two years experience as Deputy County Counsel IV with Monterey County; or three years of increasingly responsible experience with a public agency in the appropriate legal specialty at a level comparable to a Deputy County Counsel IV in Monterey County; or five years of increasingly responsible experience in a county counsels office city attorney or other civil public law office as a senior attorney; or a combination thereof.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include but are not limited to the following:

• Possess a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record or provide evidence of suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule including evenings weekends holidays and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings.
• Independently manage a heavy caseload/workload which may require extra hours of work.
• Pursuant to Section 6060 of the Business and Professions Code current valid membership in the California State Bar is required by date of hire.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit X Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment driving record and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position your rate of pay will be hourly and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Human Resources Department

Attn: Gabriela Munoz

168 W. Alisal Street

Salinas CA 93901

Phone:

The selection process is tentative and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants possession of required qualifications the examination process may include an oral examination pre-examination exercises performance examination and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

All application materials must be received by the final filing date of May 29 2026 for a guaranteed review. Resumes cover letters letters of interest and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e. surviving spouses of veterans spouses of totally disabled veterans and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link:Click Here to View theVeterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans preference points veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibilityby the final filing deadlineto

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Monterey is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. The County is committed to providing access equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment its services programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation please contact Gabriela Munoz Human Resources Analyst at or .