General Counsel

General Job Information

The screening of applicants will take place every fifteen (15) calendar days of this vacancy announcement until closed.

JOB SUMMARY

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) of the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), has an opening for a General Counsel. The incumbent will serve as the chief legal officer and authoritative legal advisor for the Agency. The General Counsel is responsible for managing the agency’s legal affairs and the staff assigned to perform legal work. The overall function is to provide comprehensive legal service, counsel, recommendations, reviews and opinions regarding all functions and activities, both programmatic and administrative.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as senior legal advisor to the Director/Agency Head in planning and policy decision-making; and implementing, coordinating and directing the legal affairs for the agency, designed to facilitate and improve legal service delivery to its clientele. Develops and institutes program guidelines, new and improved policies, procedures and processes to effect efficient program operations. Independently, plans, develops and institutes short- and long-term agency plans and activities, incorporating strategic provisions, as required. Is responsible for overseeing the review, research, and preparation of responses for the Director to selected and sensitive, and often confidential inquiries and correspondence from the Mayor, members of the Council of the District of Columbia, officials of the District and Federal governments, the media, and those surrounding jurisdictions, members of the private sector, and the general public. Prepares testimony for presentation at hearings before the Council of the District of Columbia, congressional committees, and other public appearances. Also, represents and speaks for the Director/Agency on various complex and sensitive issues. Prepares legal documents on complex and substantive matters of an urgent nature, providing summary analyses of issues and recommendations for consideration of the Director/Agency Head.

Conducts extensive and detailed research of legal documents dealing with proposed laws and amendments to existing laws to assure conformance with legal requirements. Is responsible for drafting and justifying the annual budget and multi-year plan to make the best use of available resources; to implement the most cost-effective and beneficial strategies to accomplish the mission of Department/Agency, and to assure that a system for reporting and accountability is established and implemented. Plans, coordinates and administers operations of legal affairs through subordinate attorneys. Engages in the performance of functional responsibilities of subordinate attorneys, and reviews their work for quality and consistency. Devises and implements feedback systems, performance measures and benchmarks to assure adequate performance and successful goal achievement. Identifies barriers to quality legal services; designs effective strategies to resolve issues; and, implements corrective actions. Devises a system of controls and keeps carefully documented records. Plans, develops and directs the design and implementation of the data automation systems for the management and administration of legal affairs. Formulates and guides feasibility studies to consider data automation applications. Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

Must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment. Must have at least six (6) years of post J.D. professional legal experience. Must have demonstrated ability to manage and supervise a legal staff. Must be a District resident or establish residency within 180 days of appointment (faiture to meet residency will result in forfeiture of position).

Mastery skills in the concepts, laws, theories, principles, practices and techniques of legal proceedings to conduct the research on problems which arise in connection with hearings; to make accurate summaries of evidence and prepare reports, opinions and findings; to present written statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically; to conduct fair and impartial hearings; and to analyze situations accurately and effectively. Mastery skills in qualitative and quantitative analytic methods and techniques to analyze data and to identify and isolate controlling legal issues from complex factual situations. Mastery skills in precedent legal matters; and mastery of legal advocacy tactics and strategies. Superior communication skills both orally and in writing to prepare and present oral and narrative reports. Superior legal writing and public speaking skills. Ability to exercise tact, discretion and skill in personal relations in dealing with persons at various level, job categories, and groups, especially in public forum. Ability to make accurate summaries of evidence and prepare reports, opinions and findings; to present written statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically; to conduct fair and impartial hearings; and to analyze situations accurately and effectively.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS

Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT

The work is primarily performed in a typical office setting. Work is predominately sedentary; however, some walking, standing, and bending are encountered.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL

None.

ESSENTIAL/EMERGENCY DESIGNATION

This position may have an Essential or Emergency Employee Designation. The incumbent may be required in essential or emergency situations or when authorized by the agency head to perform critical tasks.

SUITABILITY DESIGNATION

This position is designated as a Security Sensitive position subject to a mandatory Pre-employment and Biennial Criminal Background checks, and a pre-employment Consumer Credit Check.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS

Please note that applications received for this vacancy announcement may be considered for other vacant positions within OCTO pursuant to qualifications.