Deputy County Counsel II​/III​/IV

Overview

The County of Riverside’s Office of the County Counsel has multiple opportunities for a Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV to support the Child Welfare Division. The immediate opening is in Murrieta, but there is a possibility that this recruitment will be used to fill future vacancies throughout the County.

The Child Welfare Division handles cases involving allegations of child abuse and/or neglect. The Deputy County Counsel will manage a large number of cases and work on a team with other Deputy County Counsels. Responsibilities include daily court appearances, case preparation, legal research and writing, and advising clients on a variety of matters related to Child Welfare.

The most competitive candidates will be great team players who are adaptable and have prior child welfare experience, and who are highly motivated, detail-oriented, and have experience providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies and departments.

• Provide guidance and advice to Deputy County Counsel attorneys, Supervisors, and Chief Deputies in matters of law and trial tactics, legal research, preparation of legal briefs and opinions, completing mediations, and trial and appellate practices.
• Provide responsive, high‑quality service to County employees and representatives of outside agencies by giving accurate, complete, and up‑to‑date information in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.
• Consult with subordinate Deputies and Paralegals on points of law, evidence, legal procedures and policies, and practices of the County Counsel's Office; counsel and provide recommendations on difficult and complex legal problems.
• Represent the County in all state and federal courts and before administrative hearing bodies.
• Study and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances, and other legal authorities.
• Draft written opinions, render informal opinions on legal questions, prepare regular Risk Management case reports, correspondence and pleadings; handle witness and expert depositions; prepare written discovery; prepare pretrial motions and settlement conferences; chair trials as needed.
• Analyze, research and resolve difficult and complex legal problems.
• Prepare, present and manage complex trial and appellate cases under minimal to moderate supervision, depending on level of experience.
• May be required to perform the functions of lower‑level Deputy County Counsel classifications.

• Graduated from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Prior law experience with a government entity or providing professional legal counsel to governmental agencies and departments.
• Prior experience with social work, probation, family law, probate litigation, or immigration law is highly desired.
• Great team players who are adaptable and have prior child welfare experience.
• Highly motivated and detail‑oriented.

• License:
  Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required.
• Membership:
  Active member in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Job
  
  Competencies:
  • Make sound and accurate decisions under pressure.
  • Maintain an environment of teamwork and collaboration conducive to expanding knowledge and expertise.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.
  • Persuasively communicate findings and recommendations to a of audiences.
  • Possess superior negotiation skills.
  • Manage time effectively.
  • Effectively maintain expertise in all areas of responsibility and seek opportunities to increase personal knowledge.
  • Take independent actions after carefully analyzing and interpreting associated risks.
  • Customer focus, meeting obligations and commitments.
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior and integrity even when challenged with highly stressful or crisis situations.
  • Skillfully gain and maintain credibility with superiors, co‑workers, public, and managers.
  • Exhibit values and respect of others in all undertakings.
  • Encourage creative problem solving, collaboration, and analysis techniques.
  • Drive to excel, supportive of change, and seek continuous learning.

Option I: One year at the Deputy County…