The County of San Diego's Office of County Counsel has an immediate opening for Senior Deputy County Counsel-Civil Rights/Tort Litigation.
Future Salary Increases
July 2024 – 4.15% increase to base pay (2.75% Across-the-Board + 1.40% Market Increase)
The County Counsel’s Office generally supports remote teleworking and a teleworking schedule with a mix of in-office and remote work may be available in this position.
A Senior Deputy County Counsel-Civil Rights/Tort Litigation Option acts as an advocate on behalf of the County of San Diego, its departments, employees, boards and commissions, as well as special districts; and advises clients and represents them before trial and appellate courts and administrative bodies. Civil Rights/Tort litigation includes the defense of civil rights cases, personal injury, legal and medical malpractice, and dangerous conditions. Employees in this class may supervise a section or team of attorneys.
Click here to view the complete job description for this classification.
Ideal Candidate
An experienced civil litigator who can independently handle relatively complex cases in a variety of subject areas and procedural contexts, in both State and Federal courts. Experience with civil rights cases is highly desirable.
Minimum Requirements
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California, AND three (3) years of professional, post-bar civil legal experience as an attorney. Previous experience must have included serving as an attorney handling civil law matters and cases in a public or private sector law office.
Note:
1) Please attach a copy of your resume to your application.
2) Please attach a substantive legal writing sample of no more than five (5) pages to your application. If more than five (5) pages are submitted, only the first five (5) pages will be read.
3) Experience working for or representing public entities and public employees, as well as preparing and trying public entity lawsuits, is highly desirable.
Also Required
A valid California Class C driver's license, which must be maintained throughout employment in this class, is required at time of appointment, or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel. Employees in this class may be required to use their own vehicle.
Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Misdemeanor and/or felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a background investigation.
Hiring Timeline and Dates
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below. - Job Offer and Background Process begins shortly after interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Condition of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation
Qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in the supplemental questionnaire.
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran’s Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.
Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!
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Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
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