This is a continuous recruitment and can be closed at any time without notice.

ABOUT THE OFFICE:

The County Counsel’s Office serves as the civil attorneys for Tulare County government, the Tulare County Association of Governments, the Tulare Local Agency Formation Commission, and the Workforce Investment Board, and various Special Districts.. The Legal Office includes 25 Attorneys, plus a compliment of paralegals and support staff. The office is located in the City of Visalia at the County Civic Center. A position with the County Counsel’s office provides a unique opportunity to study and practice a wide range of law in service to an established and stable client.

The County provides a benefit package including health insurance, paid vacation and sick leave benefits, 1937 Act Retirement plan, life insurance, and reimbursement for California Bar Dues. Applicants may be granted advanced step appointments based upon experience. 

ANNUAL SALARY RANGES: 

LEVEL I: $77,388 - $94,316 

LEVEL II: $88,048 - $107,307 

LEVEL III: $103,210 - $125,786 

LEVEL IV: $117,200 - $142,836 

LEVEL V: $126,775 - $154,505

3% cost of living increase effective June 30, 2024.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY:
While the successful candidate may be able to work with or on any of the four legal teams at County Counsel, the current vacancies are in civil litigation and Resource. 
 
The Litigation Attorney will be appearing in court and before administrative bodies; handling all aspects of state and federal litigation (including responsibility for motion practice, discovery, trial, and appeals in both a primary and secondary role), research and analyze existing laws and regulations, court decisions, and pending litigation to draft opinions and provide written and oral advice to clients, appear for and advise County personnel in administrative hearing matters advise clients and appear in response to subpoenas and writ proceedings. Experience in a County Counsel’s Office, a City Attorney’s Office, or a private law firm representing public entities in civil litigation is required for this position. The Litigation Attorney will be filled at an Attorney II-V level. 
 
The Resource Attorney will be expected to review contracts, advise clients on various general law related matters, assist the County’s Resource Management Agency and General Services Agency in various public works, capital construction projects, eminent domain, public debt and/or public finance, and land use planning law matters, and provide legal guidance to various public agency boards and committees. Experience in a County Counsel’s or City Attorney’s Office, or other public agency’s legal department is highly desirable. The Resource Attorney will be filled at an Attorney I-V level.

EXPERIENCE:
Active membership in the State Bar of California is required. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license is required. Newly hired Attorneys will serve At-Will and hold noncompetitive status. The Attorney class is flexibly staffed to allow for promotional opportunities as professional experience is gained and demonstrated.
 

• ATTORNEY I:No experience required. Some experience demonstrating familiarity with the practice of public law is desirable.
  
• ATTORNEY II:Two years of full-time experience in the practice of civil law, or one year of full-time experience with a public civil law agency.
  
• ATTORNEY III: Three years of full-time experience in the practice of public civil law; or two years of full-time experience with a public civil law agency.
  
• ATTORNEY IV: Four years of full-time experience with a public civil law agency; or five years of full-time experience in thepractice of public civil law. Lead experience required. Supervisory experience highly desirable.
  
• ATTORNEY V: Five years of full-time experience with a public civil law agency; or six years of full-time experience in thepractice of public civil law. Lead experience required. Supervisory experience highly desirable.

PERSONS APPLYING ABOVE THE I LEVEL MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN CIVIL LAW AS STATED ABOVE

Conditions of Employment:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. 
• Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. 
• An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. 
• Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act: This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER