Associate General Counsel

Description:

The Office of General Counsel provides legal representation, guidance, analysis, and services to the Council, its Chair, members and committees, the Regional Administrator and staff; protects the legal rights of the Council and assists in achieving its objectives; helps develop and implement Council policies; and helps the Council fulfill its responsibilities within applicable legal, auditing, and jurisdictional authorities.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
Associate General Counsel generally work in the following substantive areas as well as litigation: comprehensive planning and land use, intergovernmental contracting, public contracts and procurement, construction law, data practices and open meeting law, employment law, environmental law, and real property law. This particular position will have a wide variety of work (both transactional and litigation) with an expected emphasis on housing policy, comprehensive planning and land use, environmental, and construction law. These primary work areas may change depending on the needs of the Council.
What you would do in this job

• Provide verbal and written legal advice to the Council, its Chair and members, the Regional Administrator, and other Council management and staff on a wide variety of topics.
• Draft, review, or provide advice on contracts, grants, loans, leases, intergovernmental agreements and amendments, and provide advice on relevant contracting laws and procedures, negotiating positions, and legal compliance.
• Represent the Council, or manage outside counsel, in state and federal litigation, administrative hearings, and arbitrations in various matters including but not limited to comprehensive planning, construction, real property, employment, civil rights, environmental, and contracts.
• Draft legislation and legislative amendments and monitor legislative activities affecting the Council and its operations.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on federal, state, and local law that affects Council policies, programs, and operations.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
A JD degree from a law school and seven or more years of recent experience in the practice of law.
Licensing Requirement: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and in good standing.
What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):
Current admission to practice in the Federal District Court of Minnesota. Preference given to those with substantive and litigation experience in Minnesota in a governmental setting or representing governmental entities with concentration in one or more of the following areas within the last 15 years:

• Legal research and writing in a variety of subject areas.
• Public Sector Representation - including data practices, open meeting law, public purpose doctrine, and other areas.
• Public Contracts and Procurement - public contracts for goods and services, public construction contracts involving state and federal financing/grant and loan funds, and intergovernmental agreements.
• Comprehensive Planning and Land Use - local comprehensive plans, metropolitan system and policy plans, regional grant and loan programs.
• Construction Law - large public projects, primarily transit and wastewater treatment projects.
• Environmental Law - knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to air and water, and environmental review processes.

Also, experience promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees.
What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have:
Knowledge of:

• Civil and governmental law (including government real estate; contract law; environmental law; construction law; procurement law; data practices and open meeting law; and federal, state and local administrative law).
• Other governmental agencies' procedures at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Laws, rules and regulations that govern or affect the Council and its operations.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply, and explain the relevant rules, regulations, policies and procedures to courts, lawyers, and nonlawyers.
• Plan, organize, and perform work effectively, independently and in a timely manner.
• Prepare and represent the Council or oversee outside counsel in civil litigation and administrative law hearings.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain collaborative, cooperative, and effective working relationships with others.
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us! (http://metrocouncil.org/Employment/Making-A-Difference.aspx)
Additional Information:

• Union/Grade: Non-represented/ Grade K
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
Work is performed in a standard law office setting. Some assignments may require travel to other sites. Currently, Office of General Counsel attorneys telework up to two days per week.

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