CHIEF COUNSEL

Job Title:

Chief Counsel
Payband:

Senior Executives
Department:
Legal
Reports to:

Assistant Executive Director
Exempt:

yes

Application Instructions:
Submit applications to Attn: 
Letitia Pleasant, Human Resources
(614) 871-5100

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SUMMARY
Lawyer that works directly with the Board of Trustees and Executive Staff on legal matters, and sets legal policy. Oversees all the legal affairs of the agency including in-house legal staff and outside counsel. Co-Ordinates, oversees and directs all litigation involving the agency. Manages in-house staff attorneys and works with staff and outside vendors and customers, and makes some public presentations on behalf of the agency. Also directs and oversees the agency’s legislative affairs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to the following. (Other duties may be assigned as needed.) Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Oversees and directs inside staff attorneys.
• Understand and be able to apply Ohio local government law, including laws directly applicable to solid waste districts.
• Understand and be able to apply environmental laws, rules and regulations.
• Prepares and assists in the negotiation of contracts, provides representation to SWACO on contract related legal issues.
• Develops, interprets and implements policies, procedures, and resolutions for SWACO sections, including providing the appropriate legal interpretation on rules and laws that govern the conduct of public employees and officials.
• Responds to inquiries from employees, managers and the public.
• Initiates litigation and oversees SWACO’s representation before trial and appellate courts and before administrative agencies on all matters, and evaluates and makes recommendations regarding disposition of litigation and claims.
• Serve as liaison with outside legal counsel on specialized legal issues.
• Prepares legal opinions, litigation briefs, memoranda and pleadings.
• Researches, analyzes and disseminates legal decisions to sections in appropriate areas such as civil decisions, administrative, environmental and employment law.
• Provides advice on legal problems as they arise within SWACO and develops solutions to such problems.
• Engages in the practice of preventive law by interpretation, projection and application of legal trends and provides advice thereon.
• Attend public meetings.
• Prepare and oversee a budget.
• Make initial determinations as to whether matters can be resolved with inside staff or whether outside counsel involvement is required.
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff Attorneys and all outside counsel

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This person should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the ability to work with persons of diverse backgrounds. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and admission to, and member in good standing of, the State of Ohio Bar; and ten to fifteen years experience in local government and environmental law. Labor and Employment Experience is also important.

KNOWLEDGE of
• State statutes relating to local government affairs
• Laws relating to the purchase of goods and services, contracting, labor, employment, land use, and the environment;
• Modern policies and practices of municipal and local government law and public administration; Routinely deals with confidential matters of high sensitivity. Dissemination of confidential information requires judgment and extensive knowledge of policies and procedures and state/federal laws.
• Solid waste disposal and transfer.

SKILLS
Ability To:
• Read, analyze, and interpret very complex documents.
• Respond effectively to very sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
• Make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and the Boards of Trustees of SWACO.
• Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents;
• Carry out assigned projects to their completion;
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, SWACO officials, the court system, and the general public.
• Utilize a computer for word processing and other tasks.
• prepare briefs and other legal documents
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that promotes good relationships with customers, clients, co-workers and management.

Additional skills may be required to perform additional tasks specific to work location, department, or line of business.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
Valid Ohio Drivers License; License to practice law in Ohio’s courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms.

WORK CONDITIONS
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There is very limited exposure to physical risk. Work environment is primarily indoors, temperature controlled, sealed window office.

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