Senior Counsel (10071, Grade 34)

Salary: $88,332.00 - $156,439.00 Annually
Location : Riverdale, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 10071
Department: Legal
Opening Date: 04/18/2023
Closing Date: 6/2/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY.
Looking for a creative litigation superstar! The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a national leader in public parks, recreation, and the regulation of real estate development, is searching for an experienced litigator to join our in-house Litigation Practice Team located in Riverdale, Maryland. Montgomery and Prince George's Counties are the two largest counties in Maryland, with a growing and diverse population, which is served by a robust and award-winning system of parks, recreation and urban planning in both Counties.
As the newest Senior Counsel on the Litigation Team in the Office of the General Counsel, you will join a team of lawyers responsible for finding sophisticated legal solutions to a variety of matters, including civil litigation in the areas of tort, employment and construction law; administrative hearings and appeals; and corporate policy matters spanning the entire bi-county region. Your work will be a key component in delivering superior in-house legal services to a large and diverse corporate client. You may have opportunities to work with planners, park and recreation officials, police department administrators, department directors, human resources professionals, as well as directly with our Commissioners. You can have fun practicing law while advancing our agency's remarkable mission and making a real difference in the communities we serve.
Our ideal candidate for Senior Counsel has:

• A solid track record of first-chair experience handling sophisticated litigation and employment matters for private or public clients, along with a demonstrated familiarity with state or local government and/or administrative law.
• In-house experience working with other lawyers and managing client expectations while aligning competing priorities within a demanding portfolio.
• Experience with public retirement systems, public merit or civil service systems, and counseling clients on general employment matters.
• The successful candidate will also demonstrate a dynamic professional style and a knack for translating technical legal concepts into oral and written communication that connect with the intended audience.
• Examples of Important Duties:

Examples of Important Duties

1. Litigate suits and appellate proceedings in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Commission's Contract Review Committee, and the Commission's Merit Board.
2. Draft pleadings, motions, orders, agreements, summaries, correspondence, policies and other legal documents and memoranda.
3. Advise the Commission, Planning Boards, Department Directors and Commission Staff regarding litigation, mediation, administrative process and appeals, statutory interpretation, constitutional questions, court orders and opinions, and legislation affecting the Commission's operations.
4. Review for legal sufficiency the following types of documents: contracts, resolutions, memoranda of understanding, settlement agreements, and other instruments.
5. Work independently with limited supervision, exercise good professional judgment, and work well with outside counsel, as well as in-house team members.

Minimum Qualifications
1. Law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
2. Six (6) years progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, including two (2) years of specialized legal experience in land use, legal transactions, civil litigation, administrative litigation, or employment law.
3. A valid license, in good standing, to practice law in the state of Maryland, or in another state, subject to attainment of a valid license to practice law in Maryland during initial probationary period.
4. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.
Supplemental Information
Classification Specification: Senior Counsel
Working Conditions: Works in office primarily, but on occasion will be required to travel to court and other offices. Intense pressure at times to meet deadlines.
The M-NCPPC offers an excellent benefits package, including a defined benefits retirement plan.
Person(s) hired for this position must provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (with limited religious or medical exceptions).
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
2023 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.
Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.
Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan: Employee Contribution
Plan C: 9%* of base salary (FOP members only) - *9.5% Effective 4/1/2023
Plan E: 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• Deferred Compensation MissionSquare 457 plan (Optional)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan - (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)

Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)

Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)

Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)

• Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $2,850
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $5,000

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission's Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.
01
Do you possess a law degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, including two (2) years of specialized legal experience in land use, legal transactions, civil litigation, administrative litigation, or employment law?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have a valid license, in good standing, to practice law in the state of Maryland, or in another state, subject to attainment of a valid license to practice law in Maryland during initial probationary period (one year)?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess a valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations? Driver's licenses must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question