​Principal Deputy Legislative Counsel I

California State Personnel Board Specification

SALARY INFORMATION

Description

Under general direction, to act as the assistant to a Principal Deputy Legislative Counsel II in charge of a major section of the Legislative Counsel Bureau; and to do other related work.

Typical Tasks

Assists a Principal Deputy Legislative Counsel II in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the work of a legal staff; acts for the Principal Deputy Legislative Counsel II in his/her absence; confers with management on matters of policy and procedure; confers with persons, legislative committees, and groups interested in drafting legislative measures; prepares the most difficult and complex elements of proposed legislation and secures assistance for interested parties in preparing less complex legislation; gives advice concerning legislative rules and procedures; reviews and approves drafts of proposed legislation, opinions, and letters written by other Deputies; reviews and may prepare opinions for members of the Legislature and State officers regarding the legal effect and constitutionality of proposed and enacted legislative measures; trains and evaluates the performance of legal staff members and takes or recommends appropriate action; dictates correspondence and prepares reports. 

Minimum Qualifications

Membership in The State Bar of California.  (Applicants must have active membership in The State Bar before they will be eligible for appointment.)  and

Eight years of legal experience in the practice of law in a governmental jurisdiction or in the private practice of law*, two years of which must have been at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Deputy Legislative Counsel III.  The two years of experience equivalent to the Deputy Legislative Counsel III level must be obtained in the California State Service. (Applicants who are within six months of meeting the minimum qualifications will be admitted into the examination, but will not be eligible for appointment until they meet minimum qualification.)

* Experience in the "practice of law" or "performing legal duties" or "legal experience" is defined as: (1) only that legal experience acquired after admission to The State Bar, or (2) employees that have been accepted in the Provisional Licensing Program to constitute experience in the practice of law.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Scope and character of California statutory law and provisions of the California State Constitution, including their relationship to judicial precedents and Federal constitutional provisions and laws; constitutional laws; rules, organization, and operation of the California State Legislature; purposes, organization, procedure, and work of the Legislative Counsel Bureau; tables and indexes used in drafting legislation and in preparing opinions; legal terminology; legal research; legal principles and precedents and their application to difficult, complex, and novel legal problems; legal office methods and procedures; techniques of effective supervision, including the responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Plan, organize, direct and review the activities of a legal staff; perform and direct legal research; present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly, logically, and effectively in written or oral form; perform direct difficult codification work in statute drafting; dictate and review a large volume of difficult legal correspondence; work effectively under high pressure and unfavorable conditions; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; while effectively promoting equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications

All employees shall have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

Class History