Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV
Apply NowCompany: Napa County, CA
Location: Napa, CA 94558
Description:
Salary : $140,670.40 - $228,009.60 Annually
Location : Napa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 6114-2025-02-20
Department: County Counsel
Opening Date: 02/19/2025
Closing Date: 3/28/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
The Napa Valley
Internationally known for its fine wines exciting restaurants and world-class resorts, is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage. Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities. The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.
Napa County as an Employer
As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. or by viewing the video below!
The Position
This recruitment is being conducted to fill two (2) full-time vacancies for the position of Deputy County Counsel II, Deputy County Counsel III, or Deputy County Counsel IV, which may be filled at any of these levels depending on the qualifications, for Office of the County Counsel at Napa County. The eligibility list established by this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year.
Note: All Deputy County Counsels are at-will classifications.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Primary responsibilities all attorneys in the County Counsel office are expected to handle multiple areas of the law and various departments in order to meet operational needs. Successful candidates should have a broad range of legal skills, with significant experience in representing public entities in transactions and/or litigation matters involving significant and sensitive issues of public policy and regulation.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE:
It is anticipated that one attorney will be assigned to the litigation team, and the other attorney will be assigned to the transactional/advice team.
Salary & Benefits:
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:The Office of the County Counsel's mission is dedicated to providing the highest-quality legal service to the County and other public agencies in a manner that promotes Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Stewardship. We are responsible for providing civil legal services to the Board of Supervisors, County Executive Office and departments, commissions, special districts, and various joint powers authorities. The core tenets of the Office are to provide accessible and timely services, accurate, objective and direct legal advice, thoughtful and practical solutions, zealous and effective advocacy and collaborative working relationships. The Office also defends and prosecutes civil actions on behalf of the County and its officers, acts as the attorney for the Public Administrator, represents the Public Guardian in conservatorship matters, and represents the County in mental health, human services, and child welfare cases, as well as other duties as assigned. The Office has a budget of approximately $5 million and a staff of 22 (16 attorneys, 4 paralegals, an office manager, and a legal secretary).POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
Experience:
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Online Application Deadline
By Friday, March 28, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time
Application Screening
Tentatively the week of March 31, 2025
Supplemental Question Scoring
Tentatively the week of March 31, 2025
Supplemental questions will be scored by Subject Matter Experts. Only the most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.
Oral Panel Exam
Tentatively the week of April 14, 2025
Establish Eligibility List
Tentatively the week of April 14, 2025
Only the most qualified candidates from the oral panel exam will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.
Example of Duties
View the full job description including the example of duties for these classifications below. Note: Deputy County Counsel IV is a single classification and not a part of a the flexibly staffed Deputy County Counsel series (I, II, III).Deputy County Counsel III Job Description HERE.Deputy County Counsel IV Job Description HERE.
Disaster Service Workers
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency. (Cal. Gov. Code 3102.)
ADA Accommodation
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.
Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Non-Classified - Other
01
Instructions for Supplemental Application Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best qualified candidates to continue in the selection process for this position. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate back to your application, your application and or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.
02
Please provide your California State Bar number.
03
Please select the number of years of experience you possess in a setting equivalent to that of the Napa County Counsel's Office, in a position equivalent to our Deputy County Counsel II, III, or IV.
04
The Office is recruiting for up to two full-time attorneys. It is anticipated that one attorney will be assigned to the litigation team and the other attorney will be assigned to the transactional/advice team. Please describe your work experience as a government lawyer including a) litigation experience; b) departments or areas of law and number of years representing each one.
05
Describe the most complex litigation matter or transactional matter you have worked on and why you consider it the most complex.
06
Please explain your philosophical approach in providing legal representation within the context of a public entity.
07
Please explain what interests you about a position as an attorney for Napa County Counsel.
08
Please explain what other areas of law you have experience in that you believe relate to the position, and why.
09
Do you have a preference for the litigation position or the transactional/advice position? This question isn't required, and the answer will not be a part of the scored supplemental questionnaire review.
Required Question
Location : Napa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 6114-2025-02-20
Department: County Counsel
Opening Date: 02/19/2025
Closing Date: 3/28/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
The Napa Valley
Internationally known for its fine wines exciting restaurants and world-class resorts, is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage. Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, cultural and recreational opportunities. The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small town living and big city amenities.
Napa County as an Employer
As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity and Innovation. or by viewing the video below!
The Position
This recruitment is being conducted to fill two (2) full-time vacancies for the position of Deputy County Counsel II, Deputy County Counsel III, or Deputy County Counsel IV, which may be filled at any of these levels depending on the qualifications, for Office of the County Counsel at Napa County. The eligibility list established by this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra help vacancies for up to one year.
Note: All Deputy County Counsels are at-will classifications.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Primary responsibilities all attorneys in the County Counsel office are expected to handle multiple areas of the law and various departments in order to meet operational needs. Successful candidates should have a broad range of legal skills, with significant experience in representing public entities in transactions and/or litigation matters involving significant and sensitive issues of public policy and regulation.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE:
It is anticipated that one attorney will be assigned to the litigation team, and the other attorney will be assigned to the transactional/advice team.
- Substantial experience representing or advising a county, state, or local government agency in California.
- Significant experience in either civil litigation or public entity transactional matters.
- Strong ethical and moral compass, including a commitment to the principles of good government and desire to serve the public good.
- Familiarity with multiple government law practice areas - the transactional/advice position may potentially represent the Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Airport, Parks and client departments involving public contracting and real property.
- Familiarity with public entity litigation - the litigation position will be assigned to general litigation matters which include tort defense, risk management, overseeing outside counsel, code enforcement, juvenile dependency. The litigation position may also be assigned to represent the Environmental Health division, the Local Enforcement Agency and one or two special districts.
- Intellectual curiosity, acumen, and confidence when addressing new issues or learning unfamiliar subject matters.
- Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and superior oral and written communication skills.
- Dedication to providing timely, high-quality legal services and earning client confidence.
- Proven ability to negotiate competing interests in sensitive or challenging matters.
- Emotional intelligence and ability to create strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
Salary & Benefits:
- Deputy County Counsel II: $67.63 (Step 1) - $82.01 (Step 5)
- Deputy County Counsel III: $78.16 (Step 1) - $94.82 (Step 5)
- Deputy County Counsel IV: $90.36 (Step 1) - $109.62 (Step 5)
- 3.5% COLA increase effective 7/01/2025
- 3.5% COLA increase effective 7/01/2026
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:The Office of the County Counsel's mission is dedicated to providing the highest-quality legal service to the County and other public agencies in a manner that promotes Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Stewardship. We are responsible for providing civil legal services to the Board of Supervisors, County Executive Office and departments, commissions, special districts, and various joint powers authorities. The core tenets of the Office are to provide accessible and timely services, accurate, objective and direct legal advice, thoughtful and practical solutions, zealous and effective advocacy and collaborative working relationships. The Office also defends and prosecutes civil actions on behalf of the County and its officers, acts as the attorney for the Public Administrator, represents the Public Guardian in conservatorship matters, and represents the County in mental health, human services, and child welfare cases, as well as other duties as assigned. The Office has a budget of approximately $5 million and a staff of 22 (16 attorneys, 4 paralegals, an office manager, and a legal secretary).POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
- Education: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctor degree.
- License or Certificate:* Possession of a valid California driver's license. Active membership in the California State Bar.
*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.
Experience:
- Deputy County Counsel II: Two years of experience in the practice of law equivalent to that of a Deputy County Counsel I in the Napa County Counsel's Office.
- Deputy County Counsel III: Three years of experience in the practice of law, or two years of experience equivalent to that of a Deputy County Counsel II in the Napa County Counsel's Office.
- Deputy County Counsel IV: Four years of experience in the practice of law, including three years of experience equivalent to that of a Deputy County Counsel III in the Napa County Counsel's Office.
THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Online Application Deadline
By Friday, March 28, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time
Application Screening
Tentatively the week of March 31, 2025
Supplemental Question Scoring
Tentatively the week of March 31, 2025
Supplemental questions will be scored by Subject Matter Experts. Only the most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.
Oral Panel Exam
Tentatively the week of April 14, 2025
Establish Eligibility List
Tentatively the week of April 14, 2025
Only the most qualified candidates from the oral panel exam will be placed on the eligibility list and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.
Example of Duties
View the full job description including the example of duties for these classifications below. Note: Deputy County Counsel IV is a single classification and not a part of a the flexibly staffed Deputy County Counsel series (I, II, III).Deputy County Counsel III Job Description HERE.Deputy County Counsel IV Job Description HERE.
Disaster Service Workers
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency. (Cal. Gov. Code 3102.)
ADA Accommodation
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.
Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Non-Classified - Other
01
Instructions for Supplemental Application Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best qualified candidates to continue in the selection process for this position. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate back to your application, your application and or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.
- Yes
- No
02
Please provide your California State Bar number.
03
Please select the number of years of experience you possess in a setting equivalent to that of the Napa County Counsel's Office, in a position equivalent to our Deputy County Counsel II, III, or IV.
- Less than two years of experience.
- At least two years of experience, but less than three years.
- At least three years of experience, but less than four years.
- At least four years of experience.
04
The Office is recruiting for up to two full-time attorneys. It is anticipated that one attorney will be assigned to the litigation team and the other attorney will be assigned to the transactional/advice team. Please describe your work experience as a government lawyer including a) litigation experience; b) departments or areas of law and number of years representing each one.
05
Describe the most complex litigation matter or transactional matter you have worked on and why you consider it the most complex.
06
Please explain your philosophical approach in providing legal representation within the context of a public entity.
07
Please explain what interests you about a position as an attorney for Napa County Counsel.
08
Please explain what other areas of law you have experience in that you believe relate to the position, and why.
09
Do you have a preference for the litigation position or the transactional/advice position? This question isn't required, and the answer will not be a part of the scored supplemental questionnaire review.
Required Question