Jurisdiction: Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Exempt

Adopted: 10/20/05

Amended: 12/18/09

COUNTY ATTORNEY

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for representing the County in all legal proceedings, including both litigation and administrative hearings, and for preparing contracts, local laws, resolutions and legal opinions for the County Legislature and all departments of the County. The County Attorney is under the administrative direction of the County Administrator and the general direction of the County Legislature and serves for the term of the Board. Supervision is exercised over the work of the Assistant County Attorney's and other office staff. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

Serves as legal counsel for the County Legislature and department heads in the interest of the County;

Prepares local laws and ordinances, legislative resolutions and motions as requested by the County Legislature;

Attends all meetings, hearings and trials of matters of concern to the County Legislature;

Designs a plan for case presentation for matters requiring litigation;

Supervises the work of subordinate legal staff assigned to a variety of legal concerns and follows through on all cases as necessary;

Prosecutes all juvenile delinquency and PINS petitions in Family Court;

Researches all matters of concern to the County Legislature and other officials of the County and renders a legal opinion at their request;

Reviews and prepares contracts and other legal instruments as necessary;

Establishes priorities, policies and procedures for the Office of the County Attorney; Represents the County in employee grievance and disciplinary matters;

Serves on Health Insurance Appeal Committee;

Performs such additional and related duties of the Office of the County Attorney as required by law and the County Legislature.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of the New York State County Law and County ordinances;

Thorough knowledge of laws pertaining to contracts, petitions, other legal instruments, and other aspects of general legal work;

Thorough knowledge of the proceedings of criminal court, family court, administrative tribunals, commissioners hearings, PERB hearings and other legal proceedings;

Thorough knowledge of parliamentary procedure and the rules of proceeding of the County Legislature;

COUNTY ATTORNEY – contd. 2

Working knowledge of public information and public relations techniques;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to understand and interpret laws, rules and regulations in order to render an accurate legal opinion;

Ability to prepare and deliver presentations in a clear, concise and articulate manner;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to efficiently gather information through research, interview and investigation;

Ability to establish priorities, procedures and policies necessary to the efficient functioning of the office of the County Attorney;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a license to practice law in the State of New York and five (5) years of experience in the practice of law.