DescriptionThis position is open until filled.Under general direction, represents the District in complex legal matters and serves as counsel in cases in the areas of contract, civil, tort, labor, and administrative law; prepares legal opinions and provides legal counsel to departmental staff; researches and analyzes laws, regulations, court decisions, and pending legislation; preparing documents including contracts, briefs, and pleadings; provides complex staff assistance to General Counsel; and performs related work as required.SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISEDReceives general direction from General Counsel. Assists in the management of the department and exercise direct supervision over professional and administrative support staff. Class CharacteristicsThis is a professional and advanced level classification responsible for assisting in the planning, organizing, and managing of legal activities for the District. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Plans, organizes, reviews and monitors work related to complex litigation and arbitration; oversees or performs complex legal work, including representing the District in court on litigation activities; assists in managing the work of outside counsel.
- Provides legal counsel to District staff and Board of Directors on a variety of legal matters, including tort, contract law, real estate transactions, land use and CEQA matters, labor and employment law, federal and state regulations, the Brown Act, and the Public Records Act.
- Renders and drafts legal opinions on District issues and projects regarding the environment, engineering, accounting, land use, and other issues affecting District operations.
- Performs and manages civil litigation in state and federal court and administrative tribunals, including the Surface Transportation Board, Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Labor, California Public Utilities Commission, and the Public Employment Relations Board.
- Conducts legal research; analyzes and prepares a variety of legal and court documents, including briefs, pleadings, and motions; prepares for depositions, trials, and mediation proceedings; prepares and responds to written discovery.
- Prepares, reviews, and determines the feasibility of legal contracts, briefs, memoranda, opinions, resolutions, leases, conveyances, bylaws, and other legal documents.
- Represents the District in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public; serves as liaison for the General Counsel's office with other departments and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
- Represents and acts for the General Counsel in times of absence.
- Serves as the District's the Title VI Coordinator; reviews and responds to Title VI complaints; drafts and revises policies and procedures and trains staff.Participates in processing and responding to claims, reviews the District's insurance policies and assists in managing claims files.
- Resolves complex customer questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from citizens, other departments, and agencies; recommends corrective actions to resolve issues.
- Interprets, develops, drafts and reviews District internal policies and procedures, legislation, contracts, other legal documents, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Provides staff assistance to management; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, and files.
- Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations.
- Monitors changes in laws and regulations impacting District operations.
- Maintains a variety of files, databases, and records.
- Complies with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
RequirementsEducation and Experience:Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:Education:
- Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience:
- Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience practicing civil and contract law in a public agency or private law firm.
- Transit related experience desirable.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Active membership in good standing in the State Bar of California and ability to gain admission to the Bar for the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California.
- Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license, to be maintained throughout employment.
Knowledge of:
- Legal principles, practices, methods, and techniques of contract, labor, real property, administrative, environmental and construction matters, particularly as applied to public agencies.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures, including California Public Utility Commission, Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Authority.
- State and federal court procedures.
- Statutory and case law and regulations applicable to public agencies.
- Powers, duties, and scope of authority of California transit agencies
- Methods and techniques of legal research.
- District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
- Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
- The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Ability to:
- Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
- Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
- Analyze complex legal issues and apply relevant legal principles and practices.
- Prepare and present legal information in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
- Make effective and persuasive legal arguments.
- Respond to and appear in in state and federal court proceedings and administrative hearings.
- Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
- Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
- Effectively represent the District and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
- Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
- Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
- Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.