Deputy County Counsel II-V

About the OpportunityLocation: Modesto, California, United StatesAbout the DepartmentThe County Counsel's Office serves as the chief legal counsel for the Board of Supervisors and all County offices, departments, and commissions. It provides legal advice and written opinions on matters that impact county government operations, represents the County in litigation, and prepares agreements, contracts, resolutions, and ordinances for the Board of Supervisors.The Office handles personnel matters, election matters, bond issues, trial and appellate litigation concerning child welfare practice, public social services, condemnation proceedings, Public Administrator matters, and other legal issues affecting County government.Recruitment ScheduleApplication deadline: August 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.Oral examination: week of September 7, 2026The PositionThe General Legal Services section provides legal advice to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, and various County departments and agencies. Attorneys research and analyze many areas of law, craft ordinances and policies, negotiate contracts, comment on legislation, and solve problems for County departments and officials. The section's practice focuses on public law areas including the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, and the Political Reform Act.Typical TasksRepresents, advises, and prepares legal documents for County departments, special boards, commissions, or other governmental bodies.Represents the County in litigation.Works with County departments to draft and pursue legislation, ordinances, and amendments to state and county code.Minimum QualificationsKnowledgeLegal principles and their applicationLegal research methodsPrinciples of administrative and public lawDuties, powers, limitations, and authority of the County Counsel's OfficeSkills/AbilitiesPerform highly complex legal research workAnalyze and apply legal principles and precedents to legal problemsPresent statements of fact, law, and arguments clearly and logicallyDraft ordinances, resolutions, and regulationsPropose legislative measuresMake appearances at local, state, and federal courtsEducation/ExperienceDeputy County Counsel IIMinimum one (1) year of experience in general practice of law. Participation in the State Bar of California's Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) Program may satisfy this requirement.Deputy County Counsel IIIPattern IMinimum one (1) year's experience as a Deputy County Counsel II for Stanislaus County or another California public agency in an equivalent position.Pattern IIMinimum three (3) years' experience in the practice of public agency law, or civil law experience in areas such as civil litigation, probate, contracts, healthcare, employment, workers' compensation, real property, environmental, land use, or child dependency proceedings; ORMinimum four (4) years' experience in the practice of law in California.Deputy County Counsel IVPattern IMinimum one (1) year's experience as a Deputy County Counsel III for Stanislaus County or another California public agency in an equivalent position.Pattern IIMinimum four (4) years' experience in the practice of public agency law, or civil law experience in areas such as civil litigation, probate, contracts, healthcare, employment, workers' compensation, real property, environmental, land use, or child dependency proceedings.Deputy County Counsel VPattern IFour years of experience as a Deputy County Counsel II‑IV for the County of Stanislaus or another California public agency in an equivalent position.Pattern IIFive years of experience in the practice of public agency law, or civil law experience in areas such as civil litigation, probate, contracts, healthcare, employment, workers' compensation, real property, environmental, land use, or child dependency proceedings.LicenseThe selected individual must be an active member of the California State Bar at the time of appointment.Applicants must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License and remain free from repeated preventable accidents.Application and Selection ProceduresApplications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date.Resumes and cover letters are optional and do not replace required application fields.Examination ProcessApplication review and screening.Written examination.Oral examination.Eligible lists for six to eighteen months.General InformationPosition is part of the Unclassified Service of the County and is at-will.Participates in the Stanislaus County Pay-for-Performance program and receives additional benefits.Recruitment AccommodationsArrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations must submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form before the test date.General QualificationsPass County-paid pre-employment background investigation.Perform job duties in a safe working environment.Maintain confidentiality according to legal standards or County regulations.Possess a valid California Driver's License if required.Appeal RightsApplication and examination results may be appealed in writing within seven (7) days of the results email.DisclaimerThe information in this bulletin is a general summary and is not legally binding. Benefits and other information are found in the Stanislaus County Code, Personnel Policies Manual, or applicable Memorandum of Understanding.BenefitsBenefits associated with this position are summarized in the benefits summary.Closing Date8/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific.#J-18808-Ljbffr

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