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County of Ventura

Assistant County Counsel – Land Use, Groundwater Management, and/or Public Works

County of Ventura, Ventura, California, United States

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Assistant County Counsel – Land Use, Groundwater Management, and/or Public Works Contracting 5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Description

Annual Leave – The candidate selected for this position will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years of service.

Annual Leave Redemption – Ability to reimburse up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave within the previous 12 months.

Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. Up to 3% match on contributions. After 5 years, an additional 2% non‑elective contribution.

Health Plans – Flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from authorized plans.

Flexible Spending Accounts – Reimbursement of pre‑tax dollars for approved dependent care and health care expenses.

Pension Plan – County and employee contributions to the Retirement Plan and Social Security; possible reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.

Holidays – 12 paid days per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.

Additional Benefits – Professional Memberships, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Program.

THE DEPARTMENT The County Counsel’s Office provides legal advice and representation to County departments, agencies, officials, and employees in civil law matters. The Office has about 27 attorneys and 13 support personnel. Assistants are classified as Civil Attorney I/II/III or Senior Civil Attorney.

THE POSITION An Assistant County Counsel position is available at the Civil Attorney III or Senior Civil Attorney classification, depending upon candidate experience. The role advises and represents the County, its departments, agencies, officials, and employees regarding land use, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting matters.

PAYROLL TITLES AND APPROXIMATE ANNUAL SALARIES

Civil Attorney III: $146,586.31 – $205,220.86

Senior Civil Attorney: $170,370.62 – $238,542.22

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: November 12, 2025

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

FIRST REVIEW COMPLETE: on or about December 1, 2025

EXAMINATION DATE: To be determined

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Advises County officers, departments, and staff regarding land use matters, interpretation and application of county zoning ordinances, plans and policies, groundwater management, and public works contracting and construction disputes.

Prepares and reviews staff reports, contracts, permits, real property instruments, and other documents for legal sufficiency; corresponds with other entities and attorneys regarding same.

Acts as legal adviser to County officers, departments, boards, and commissions, including at public meetings and hearings.

Drafts ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative measures.

Monitors legal developments, evaluates impact on County operations, and recommends appropriate action.

Prepares formal written legal opinions.

Prepares and reviews litigation documents such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery, and appellate briefs.

Represents client agencies in court trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings, and appeals.

Performs other related duties as required.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS Entrance requirements to the recruitment process: graduation from law school and active membership in the State Bar of California.

EXPERIENCE

Civil Attorney III – Minimum of four (4) years of professional legal experience.

Senior Civil Attorney – Minimum of six (6) years of professional legal experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of and experience in at least one of the following specialties: Land Use, Groundwater Management, Public Works Contracting.

SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

County attorneys prohibited from engaging in private practice of law for compensation.

Accept political reform act disclosure filing within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Comprehensive knowledge of land use law, groundwater management, and/or public works contracting; legal principles and application; rules of professional conduct; rules of evidence; legal research methods.

Comprehensive skill and ability to analyze complex legal claims and defenses; conduct legal research; develop litigation strategies; present arguments in writing and orally; draft legal instruments and opinions; develop discovery plans; draft pleadings, briefs, and advisory memoranda; appear and advocate in state and federal court and administrative hearings; build confidence and respect among professional peers.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS Continuous recruitment; final filing date is the closing date. Apply online at www.ventura.org/jobs or by phone (805) 654-5129. Note that currently there is one regular vacancy in the County Counsel’s Office.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), or sexual orientation.

Seniority level Mid‑Senior level

Employment type Contract

Job function Legal

Industries Government Administration

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