What are the responsibilities and job description for the CORPORATION COUNSEL position at Price County?
Job Description
This position is responsible for advising and representing the County Board, governing bodies, committees, departments, and officials of the County in civil legal matters involving the County. The duties and responsibilities of the Corporation Counsel are established by the County Board and performed under, and subject to, the review and direction of the Administrative committee with the approval of the County Board.
This is a full time, regular, exempt position with a full benefit package and starting annual salary range of $90,771 to $96,324 (Grade R), depending on experience. Benefits include Wisconsin Retirement System with employer match, health insurance, vacation, 10 paid holidays, 12 days of paid sick leave per year, employee lifestyle enhancement perk, and paid maternity/paternity leave. Dental/vision, flex spending, WI Deferred Comp, life, short-term disability, accident, and cancer/critical illness coverages are available.
Located in north central Wisconsin, midway between Hayward and Minocqua, Price County is home to a variety of natural resources. Our abundance of woods and waters provides endless outdoor recreational opportunities. The communities in Price County offer shopping, dining, services, affordable housing and a friendly atmosphere.
Minimum qualifications include:
- Law degree from an accredited school.
- Licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.
- Authorized to practice and appear in and before Wisconsin state courts and administrative bodies.
- Corporation Counsel will be required to obtain thirty (30) continuing legal education credits every two years in accordance with Wisconsin State Bar requirements.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience as an attorney.
- Legal experience in municipal/county government matters and/or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Job Responsibilities
- Serves as the County’s chief legal advisor in civil and corporate matters.
- Interprets the powers and duties of the County Board of Supervisors, County departments, committees, agencies, boards, and commissions, elected officials, and employees.
- Negotiates, drafts, and/or reviews contracts, leases, documents, resolutions, and ordinances as required.
- Represents the County in civil matters when the County is required to appear and/or when the interests of the County, County departments, committees, agencies, boards, and commissions are involved. Examples include, but are not limited to: mental health commitments, alcohol or drug commitments, child support hearings, guardianships and protective placement hearings, Children in Need of Protection and Services (CHIPS) proceedings, Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) proceedings, Department of Human Services hearings, Planning and Zoning hearings, Zoning Boards of Adjustments hearings (when there isn’t a conflict of interest), in rem tax foreclosures, bankruptcy filing, collection matters, ordinance violation prosecution and other related legal proceedings.
- Advises the County Board, its committees and County departments on the requirements of the Wisconsin Open Meetings, Public Records and Ethics Laws.
- Appears at County Board meetings. Attends and participates in committee meetings as requested. Serves as parliamentarian for the county Board and interprets and explains County Board rules, Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) and other applicable laws, ordinances, rules, or procedures governing the County Board and its committees.
- Represents the County in civil litigation, both prosecution and defense; reviews and responds to claims, suits, and demands against the County; assists in resolving disputes; monitors outside counsel retained or appointed to represent the County in civil matters; refer matters to insurance for coverage and assignment of defense counsel.
- Determines policy and procedures of the Corporation Counsel office; provides guidance to professional support staff assigned to the office; prepares and administers department budget.
- Maintains strict confidentiality with regard to all records and information.
- Advises duly constituted committees and Department Heads on civil matters.
- Provides the County Board, committees, departments and employees with updates and training programs on relevant legal topics.
- Performs other work of a civil nature or other matters as may be assigned or delegated by the County Board and/or its designees.
It is unlikely that Corporation Counsel will perform all the essential duties listed above on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense that it covers all the duties the Corporation Counsel may be required to perform. The duties and responsibilities are merely indicative, not restrictive.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of municipal, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to County government operations.
- Knowledge of County Board Rules, Parliamentary Rules of Procedure including Roberts Rules of Order (Newly Revised) and other rules and regulations governing County meetings and proceedings.
- Knowledge of County ordinances.
- Ability to research statutes, regulations, ordinances, precedent, and other materials applicable to County operations and activities.
- Knowledge of federal and state rules of civil procedure evidence.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, staff, public officials of other departments and the general public.
- Skill and ability in the preparation and trial of civil disputes and matters.
- Identify, interpret, and apply legal principles to complex issues.
- Skill and ability in persuasion, negotiation, and advocacy based upon the merits of individual issues and information presented.
- Must be able to draft clear, accurate, and concise legal documents, pleadings, memoranda, briefs, stipulations, or other legal/court documents.
- Must be able to effectively analyze and present facts, recommendations, and alternative courses of action.
- Must maintain a professional office environment.
- Must possess knowledge of e-filing and electronic meeting platforms.
- Ability to use general office equipment.
- Must possess a current driver's license and have access to a reliable vehicle, insured to county-required limits.
Physical Requirements
- The physical demand for this position is mainly sedentary.
- Must lift, carry, or push objects in ordinary office situations or in unusual or non-routine situations.
- Must frequently use near and far vision and effective communication is necessary.
- Almost 100% of work done is inside.
Additional Information
This is a public service position, and employee is required to be courteous, cooperative, and respectful at all times with the public and clients; also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative, and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.
This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, working conditions and needed skills. It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions. This description is not intended to limit or modify the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The county retains and reserves all rights to change, modify, amend, add to, or delete from, any section of this document as it deems, in its’ judgement, to be proper.
Application Special Instructions
The selection process for this position may include an employment history evaluation, a personal interview, a pre-employment physical, including a drug screening, a Wisconsin of Department of Justice caregiver background check, the eWiSACWIS background check, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check.
PLEASE NOTE: A Price County Application Form must be fully completed and received, along with resume, by application deadline in order to be considered for this position. Application materials are available from and may be submitted to the following:
- In person or by mail from the Price County Office of Administration, Price County Courthouse, 126 Cherry Street, Rm. 106, Phillips, WI54555
- By phone at (715)339-5131 – Please leave message with spelling of name and address.
- By email at hroffice@co.price.wi.us
- Online at www.co.price.wi.us
- By fax (715) 339-6434
A completed application and resume must be received by the Price County Office of Administration no later than 4:30 pm on July 12, 2023 to be considered for this position.
Price County is an equal opportunity employer.
Salary : $90,771 - $96,324