Description

Assistant County Counsel

Yamhill County has one regular, full-time position for an Assistant County Counsel.  In this role you will Advise and represent the various boards, commissions, officers, employees and agents of Yamhill County on various legal matters of county concern. Assists the County Counsel on civil matters to which the County is a party, including, but not limited to, litigation, real property transactions, property tax appeals, personnel grievances, labor negotiations, land use appeals, environmental complaints, and other legal matters. Performs a variety of increasingly independent professional legal work for assigned County departments/divisions, including, but not limited to, court appearances, administrative hearings, public contracting, public records requests, parliamentary conferrals, and related transactional work. Performs related legal work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 
Works under supervision of the County Counsel who assigns work, checks performance and provides professional consultation. Work is reviewed for conformance with state statutes, case law, legal ethics, other professional practices, standards, department policies, procedures, and overall results obtained.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: 
Supervision of other employees is not generally a responsibility of the position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITIONS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. DEPENDING ON ASSIGNMENT, THE EMPLOYEE MAY PERFORM A COMBINATION OF SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:
A person employed in this classification must possess the capability to perform the following duties to be considered for and remain in this position:

• Provides legal counsel to Board of Commissioners, County officers, County departments, and various other boards and commissions, advising on legal rights and responsibilities and other legal matters. 
• Prepares legal opinions for questions referred by the County Counsel, Elected Officials, or Department Heads.
• Assists in preparation of memoranda and pleadings, and when directed, appears on behalf of the County in court actions and in front of other administrative agencies, including the Oregon Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Oregon, the Oregon Employment Relations Board, Oregon Tax Court, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry, and other administrative agencies as directed by County Counsel.
• As directed by the County Counsel, prepares and presents oral argument in any appeals the County is a party to before the Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court.
• Attends meetings of various County boards and commissions assigned by County Counsel, which may include Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Fair Board, Park Board, among others. 
• Assists in review or revision of the Yamhill County Code and/or Yamhill County Policies and Procedures as required by law and referred by the County Counsel.
• Advises the County on legal matters relating to public contracts and intergovernmental agreements.
• As directed by the County Counsel, supervises and assists in preparation of annual tax foreclosure proceedings, including the sale tax foreclosed properties, in conjunction with the County Treasurer and County Assessor.
• Drafts board orders, ordinances and resolutions.
• Reviews and prepares deeds and other real property transactional documents.
• Enforces or assists in enforcement of any law pursuant to direction of County Counsel or Elected Official.
• Investigates all potential claims for money damages or injunctive relief made against the County and submits the investigation results to the County Administrator, or delegate, for action.
• Attend training necessary for minimum continuing legal education. 
• Keeps abreast of Court decisions and existing and pending legislation affecting the County. 
• Maintains effective, harmonious and reasonable work relationships with others. 
• Maintains regular and predictable work attendance.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE OF OR INTEREST IN:

Principles and practices of government law. 

Practices, principles and procedures of public administration.

Principles and techniques of legal writing.

Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.

Civil trial and appellate procedures in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals.

Legal terminology.

Federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, rules, and ordinances applicable to County activities and functions, including public liability, public meetings, torts, contracts, property taxation, real property and land use, public records and public financing.

Principles and techniques of public sector labor law, labor relations and collective bargaining.

Organization of County government.

Principles of liability, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Practices, principles, and procedures of public administration.

County government organization and structure.

ABILITY TO:

Organize and summarize a large volume of material and analyze facts, evidence, and legal precedents to arrive at a logical conclusion and set forth a concise, complete, and accurate finding of fact and conclusion. 

Research and document information on related subject matter and set forth findings of fact and decisions in concise written form.

Present cases in courtroom or at hearing. 

Keep information confidential. 

Interact effectively with the Board of Commissioners and County Counsel.

Operate in the Microsoft Windows environment.

SKILL IN:

Developing and maintaining professional relationships. Effective communication, both orally and in writing. 

Preparing clear and concise legal documents and reports. 

Negotiating and exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions or solutions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Graduation from an accredited school of law.  

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the practice of government, judicial, and/or administrative law. 

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Must be a member of the Oregon State Bar at the time of appointment and must maintain that membership in good standing. Must be a member of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and the United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit. Membership in the National Association of Parliamentarians or the American Institute of Parliamentarians desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to secure and maintain a driver’s license valid in the state of Oregon. May be required to drive a County vehicle. Employees authorized to operate a private vehicle on County business are required to carry a valid driver’s license and liability insurance minimums as outlined in ORS 806.070.

Employment will be subject to successful completion of a background check.