Dunn County is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Assistant Corporation Counsel to join our team of dedicated professionals serving the people of Dunn County. Dunn County offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth and development. If you are a highly motivated and dedicated legal professional with a passion for public service and a strong interest in municipal law, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding and challenging opportunity.
This is highly responsible professional position serving as an assistant to the Corporation Counsel and representing the County of Dunn in civil legal proceedings. Work involves a number of legal services as assigned by the Corporation Counsel. The Assistant Corporation Counsel provides legal counsel and opinions to the County Board and its committees, departments, elected officials, and related agencies and interprets duties and powers of the County Board, county officials, and departments.
The anticipated starting annual salary is between $92,560 and $97,718.
Primary Responsibilities
The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Serves in the place of the Corporation Counsel, when so directed, as legal advisor to all County Departments and Committees.
- Prepares legal papers as required and attends to legal matters in and out of court when the County Departments or Committees may be interested parties.
- Drafts resolutions and ordinances for consideration by the County Board.
- Maintains files, reports, documents, and assists in legal matters as instructed by the Corporation Counsel.
- Mediates disputes between Dunn County and other counties and units of government.
- Handles mental commitments, alcohol commitments, guardianships and protective placements, all child support, paternity cases, and related actions for Dunn County and the State of Wisconsin.
- Conducts interviews regarding guardianships, protective placements, drug abuse, mental and alcoholic commitments, child support and paternity cases, and drafts legal documents concerning commitments.
- Appears in Court for initial appearances, motions, trials to the Court and Administrative Tribunals and jury in civil legal matters.
- Researches and drafts correspondence, briefs and other memoranda relating to all commitments, guardianships, protective placements, child support, paternity matters, and other matters as directed by the Corporation Counsel.
- Provides training, as needed, to all County personnel on law-related matters, including training with respect to new developments and changes in the law.
- Assist with form and policy development.
- Attends board and committee meetings as requested.
- Assists the Corporation Counsel in legal matters as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Juris Doctor Degree
- Requires a minimum of 2 years previous legal or courtroom experience.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- Must possess license to practice law in Wisconsin.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Assistant Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential for Assistant Corporation Counsel to possess.
- Thorough knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the area of municipal and public law applicable to County government.
- Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to County government.
- Considerable knowledge of pertinent judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
- Considerable knowledge of governmental organization, legislative procedures and judicial procedures.
- Ability to determine the adequacy and accuracy of findings of fact, the application of legal principles, and the content and pleadings, briefs, and opinions.
- Ability to provide reliable and sound legal counsel in the field of municipal corporation law.
- Ability to instruct and indirectly supervise staff which she/he may work with.
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
- Ability to present evidence and to make oral arguments and presentations.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of extremely sensitive information.
- Skill in originality and analytical thinking.
- Skill in public relations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships.
- Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures including those pertaining to confidentiality.
- Ability to prioritize and organize job assignments.
- Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
- Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.
MINIMUM LANGUAGE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Assistant Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following language skills are essential for the Assistant Corporation Counsel to possess.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and community members in written and verbal form.
- English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.
MINIMUM REASONING ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Assistant Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following reasoning abilities are essential for the Assistant Corporation Counsel to possess.
- Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
- Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
- Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
MINIMUM MATHEMATICAL ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Assistant Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following mathematical skills are essential for the Assistant Corporation Counsel to possess.
- Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
- Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.
In evaluating candidates for this position, Dunn County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.
Physical and Work Environment
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Physical effort will typically require prolonged and frequent exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds and/or infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Continuous speaking, hearing and using hands dexterously; work frequently requires sitting; and work occasionally requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms.
- Work has standard vision requirements.
- The physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can be characterized as minimal.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, moderate traffic).
Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
