Job Description

Posting number: 2026-02232

Department: County Counsel's Office

Division: County Counsel

Job classification: Attorney IV - Confidential

Posting type: Open

Categories: Attorney

For exact salary information please refer to the current salary schedule, County website

Definition

Under general direction, to perform a variety of complex professional legal work and legal research; to represent the County Counsel on assigned cases; to plan and coordinate investigation for legal cases; and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced journey level in the professional Attorney class series. Incumbents are expected to perform the more complex professional legal work and research with minimal guidance and supervision. In addition, they may have administrative responsibility for coordinating legal services for an assigned area. This class differs from Attorney III in that Attorney IV's perform the most broad range of the more complex legal services and trial work. Attorney IV's should perform the full range of legal services for the County Counsel.

Reports to

County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel.

Classifications Supervised

Incumbents may provide work direction and coordination for professional legal staff and legal support staff.

Examples of duties

Essential Functions:

• Performs a wide variety of the more complex professional legal assignments and research; has demonstrable ability to work on these most complete tasks in an independent manner; and shows an understanding and ability to perform the full range of legal services which are provided by the County Counsel’s Office; may be assigned responsibility for an area of specialized legal services; attend meetings of boards and commissions, as requested; drafts ordinances, resolutions, and regulations; assists County departments in formulating policies and procedures; prepares pleadings and motions and other legal documents for civil actions in state and federal courts as assigned; may appear in court, preparing and presenting cases at hearings and trials, and also at administrative proceedings; reviews and drafts contracts, leases, conveyances, and other legal documents; confers with and advises County and special district officers and employees on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions, programs, and potential liability exposure; establishes and maintains effective relationships with County departments and other County Counsel clients; represents the County in proceedings involving dependent children, termination of parental rights, guardianship, conservatorship, and probate; study, interpret, and apply the law, court decision and other legal authorities to provide formal written legal opinions; prepare correspondence and reports.

Knowledge of:

• The principles and applications of civil and public law and procedure
• Legal research methods and writing skills
• Trial and hearing procedures and the rules of evidence
• Advanced knowledge of the principles of civil, public and administrative law
• Thorough understanding of the responsibilities, powers and statutory limitations of county and local government
• Comprehensive understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the County Counsel's office and the operations of County government
• Advanced knowledge of civil and public law
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the work of the County Counsel's office and the governance structure and operations of Siskiyou County and other Districts and agencies represented by the County Counsel's office
• Advanced research and writing skills
• Advanced understanding of client needs, priorities, and strategies to achieve client objectives

Ability to:

• Perform professional legal and legal research work.
• Maintain administrative responsibility for an assigned area of legal services.
• Analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned cases.
• Suggest sound legal approaches and solutions to clients’ legal concerns.
• Prepare and present civil cases at all levels of the court system.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prepare and present a variety of special reports.
• Review and draft contracts, conveyances, ordinances, regulations, and other civil legal documents.
• Maintain quality legal work while under the pressure of deadlines.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and harmonious relationships with fellow staff members, the judiciary, departmental representatives, and the public.
• Provide satisfactory journeyman service in carrying out the duties of the County Counsel’s Office, without significant oversight or direction.
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work.
• Effectively represent the County Counsel's office with the public, courts, law enforcement agencies, and other government jurisdictions.

Qualifications

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training or experience that would provide the knowledge and skills listed above and the ability to successfully perform the listed duties is qualifying.

Eight years of full-time professional work experience in the relevant area of law, including one year of experience in the County Counsel's Office as an Attorney III.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a current and appropriate driver's license.

Current membership in the State Bar of California.

Supplemental information

Typical Physical Requirements

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

Typical Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office environment; occasionally works outside; continuous contact with other staff.