Laurens County is accepting applications for a full-time County Attorney.
JOB TITLE: County Attorney FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Administration DATE: 9/11/2023
REPORTS TO: County Administrator
PURPOSE:
Serves as general legal counsel for the County. Responsible for providing advice and legal representation to the county regarding all county operations, policies, and regulations to remain in compliance with state and federal laws. The County Attorney may be involved in a wide range of legal issues from civil litigation, land use and zoning, disputes to criminal prosecutions, public health emergencies, personnel matters, and other legal situations. The County Attorney will conduct legal research, interpret state and federal laws, draft contracts, and negotiate settlements.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
- Represent the County government in legal matters, including without limitation, civil, criminal, and administrative matters;
- Provide legal advice and guidance to County officials and departments on matters such as contracts, ordinances, and policies;
- Draft and review legal documents such as contracts, memorandums, and opinions;
- Investigate potential legal issues and recommend courses of action to the County government;
- Defend the County in lawsuits brought in both state, federal or administrative courts and prosecute individuals or entities that violate county ordinances or regulations;
- Work with law enforcement officials as requested to investigate and prosecute crimes committed within the County;
- Attend County Council meetings and provide legal analysis on proposed actions;
- Acts as the Parliamentarian during County Council meetings, providing guidance and advice on following proper Parliamentary Procedures;
- Draft all County ordinances, resolutions, proclamations, and other documents necessary to the county government process;
- Recommends and assists any outside legal counsel deemed necessary for special projects, including without limitation, economic development, bond issuance, or employment matters;
- Negotiate settlements and plea agreements on behalf of the County;
- Remain current on changes in laws, regulations, or any other matter that may affect the County and advise County officials accordingly;
- Negotiate and assist the County in purchasing or selling property;
- Defend challenges to property tax values and assessments, and
- Provide legal guidance to County departments and Boards/Commissions, and to elected officials upon request.
Requirements:
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. [Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge skills and other characteristics.] An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties which are not listed below. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.
Education and Experience:
The County Attorney must possess a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited Law School, with current membership in good standing with the South Carolina Bar Association.
Responsible for maintaining continuing legal education credits throughout the year to maintain Bar membership and to remain current on changes in the laws that affect the County.
Must possess a valid and current state driver’s license with no restrictions. Must be bondable. Must have prior experience working with the public and supervisory experience. The County Attorney may not have been determined by a court with probate jurisdiction to be totally mentally incapacitated or partially incapacitated without the right to vote.
The County Attorney must complete a background check that will show no convictions on felony charges for which the individual has not been pardoned or otherwise released.
The County Attorney shall have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a public sector law practice capacity. Experience in zoning, contractual, economic development, and parliamentary procedures issues is essential.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Must have strong knowledge of public sector requirements in local government.
Extraordinary knowledge of South Carolina Code of Laws that affect local governments including without limitation, counties, municipalities, law enforcement, boards and commissions of the County, and other entities for which the County Attorney must advise.
Strong knowledge of the Code of Ordinances for Laurens County, including without limitation, the Code of Ordinances, Zoning Ordinances, Land Use Ordinances, any Economic Development Master Plans that may exist, Comprehensive Plan, etc.
Possesses several years of experience in real estate transactions, public health emergencies, civil and criminal litigation, and government law.
Skilled in assisting and facilitating public meetings, through in-depth knowledge of Parliamentary Procedures and correct meeting conduct.
Ensure the County is functioning legally and ethically through its department’s actions .
Provide high quality legal services in the most efficient and productive manner possible.
Remain current on changes in the law or case law and advise the County accordingly with suggested changes to ordinance, contracts, and other legal documents or initiatives.
Skills in:
- Strong, convincing communicator with all types of individuals.
- Public speaking skills.
- Excellent communication skills and persuasive interaction in writing and speaking capabilities.
- Superlative writing skills.
- Researching and drafting legal doctrine and opinions for County government, responsive pleadings, or courts of law.
- Concentrating for long periods of time while working with highly technical data and the ability to dissect such data.
- Working successfully with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
- Managing stressful or emergent situations and finding solutions.
- Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals,
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be able to display professional courtesy when working with the public. Patience is required along with the ability to handle a level of amount of stress that can range from moderate to very high. Occasionally may require long hours due to attendance at County Council or Advisory Committee meetings, and other responsibilities that may be required. Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours, and occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions may be required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working conditions include a great deal of sitting and use of either a computer screen or reading documents in paper form. Long periods of concentration necessary on a regular basis.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Strength and mobility to work in a typical office setting; stamina to perform sustained physical labor, including standing, sitting, or walking; strength to lift a minimum of ten pounds unassisted; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over a radio or telephone.
- Email
[email protected] - U.S.P.S mail
Laurens County Administrative Office, Human Resources Suite, 100 Hillcrest Sq., Laurens, SC 29360 - Fax
864.984.3726
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.