*COUNTY COUNSEL
Salary Range GC30T

INTRODUCTION

This classification serves as Department Head of the County Counsel department and performs administrative duties in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating the functions of legal counsel provided Board of Commissioners and department heads and administrative staff.

EXAMPLES OF PRINCIPLE DUTIES

(Duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following examples.)

l. Develop, implement and evaluate programs for departmental operation; establish and maintain departmental policy and procedure.

2. Provide advice to Board of Commissioners, department heads and administrative staff on questions of the law or policy involved in operations of a department; answer questions; prepare recommended interpretation outlining facts and applicable law; attend Board of Commissioner and advisory bodies meetings; provide legal advice.

3. Prosecute and defend actions and proceedings in which the County is a party.

4. Draft, review, and approve ordinances, resolutions, formal orders, contracts, and other legal documents prepared for Board of Commissioners and other County officials signature. Ensure compliance to contract law.

5. Review County policies and develop procedures and regulations. Ensure policy, procedures, and regulations are administratively sound and consistent with intent of the law and.

6. Monitor and direct work performance of departmental employees; maintain standards of efficiency; ensure compliance with legal structure; exercises final approval on all new hires, transfers, promotions, layoffs, and terminations.

7. Prepare departmental budget and present for approval to the Board of Commissioners; monitor fiscal expenditures of department.

8. Work with private legal counsel retained by County.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Knowledge of: Thorough knowledge of legal principles, procedures, terminology, civil laws, municipal government law, forms, legal analysis and courtroom and trial procedures; thorough knowledge of civil including civil forfeiture laws, tax and bankruptcy laws, administrative regulations and case law; thorough knowledge of administrative hearings, courtroom and trial procedures including state, federal, trial and appellate courts and Oregon rules of evidence; considerable knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures for case preparation. Skill and ability in: Courtroom proceedings; writing clear and concise contracts, ordinances and legal documents. Ability to: Communicate effectively and persuasively in oral and written forms; conduct complex legal research and set forth findings of fact and decisions in concise and persuasive written form; analyze facts, evidence, and precedents to arrive at logical conclusions; adjust to priority changes, remain calm and use good judgment during confrontational or high pressure situations; effectively negotiate cases with other attorneys ; work independently, make decisions independently in accordance with established policy and procedures, establish new policies when applicable, and use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibility; courteously meet and deal effectively with Board of Commissioners, other employees, elected officials, department heads, other agency representatives, advisory boards, attorneys, courts, other professionals in the field and the public.

Education, experience and training: Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and four years progressively responsible work experience as an attorney. At time of appointment, must be a member of the Oregon Bar Association and U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS OVER THIS POSITION

This classification is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners.

GUIDELINES

Work is performed within established department policy and procedures; federal, state and county statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances; Rules of Professional Ethics; Court procedures and rules; Oregon Court of Appeals and Supreme Court case precedents; Oregon Bar Association reference material and accepted procedures within legal profession. Incumbent has to remain current on guidelines and uses seasoned judgment in interpreting guidelines and contributes to modifications of existing guidelines by recommending changes or adapting guidelines to problems encountered.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Regular and consistent attendance is required.  Work is performed in an office or courtroom setting; work is generally sedentary and requires hearing voice conversation and keyboarding.