Deputy County Counsel II/III/IV/V

Salary : $98,404.80 - $188,156.80 Annually
Location : Merced County Counsel Department 2222 M St Merced, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: County Counsel
Opening Date: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 20C Management

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as legal counsel and attends meetings of boards and commissions.
• May act as legal advisor to County offices and departments.
• Prepares formal legislative measures, ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, leases, and other legal instruments.
• Prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the County and special districts in federal and state court, appellate courts, and various administrative bodies.
• Confers with and advises officers of County departments and representatives of special districts on questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties, functions, and obligations.
• May provide lead direction and act as a legal resource to other professional staff.
• Assists the County Counsel, Assistant County Counsel, and Chief Deputy County Counsels as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:
Level II
One (1) year of experience in the practice of civil, criminal, or administrative law; or an equivalent combination of legal training and experience such as judicial clerkship, externship, internship, or contracts/legal compliance management providing substantial exposure to public agency or court operations.

Level III
Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of civil law.

Level IV
One (1) year of experience as a Deputy County Counsel III with Merced County. OR Four (4) years of experience in the practice of civil law.

Level V
Three (3) years of experience as a Deputy Counsel IV with Merced County. OR Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of civil law.

License:
Active membership in the State Bar of California at time of appointment.
Essential Functions

• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations; develop appropriate conclusions.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; complete multiple projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
• Maintain confidential information according to legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• The Government Code and other California statutes, and their application to governmental subdivisions.
• The principle of civil, constitutional, and administrative laws.
• Legal research methods.
• Principles of staff training and project coordination.

Ability to:

• Perform difficult legal research.
• Analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to specific local government problems.
• Develop legal issues and present clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law.
• Draft ordinances, contracts, and legal instruments.
• Train subordinate staff.

01

Please describe your experience, if any, in public sector or government representation.
02

What specific knowledge, skills or abilities do you possess that you feel make you qualified for the Deputy County Counsel?
03

Have you taken and passed the California State Bar Exam?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes to question 3, what date did you take the California State Bar Exam?
Required Question