Chief Assistant County Attorney

Job Summary This position is to provide legal counsel to assigned departments, boards, elected officials and employees and assist the County Attorney with legal operations of the County with limited supervision. The Douglas County Attorney’s Office (DCAO) serves as in-house counsel for all non‑criminal legal matters in Douglas County. The DCAO handles a broad range and high volume of transactions and lawsuits that touch upon all operational aspects of the County as well as handling routine and complex litigation. Matters handled in this office span from administrative to constitutional law with clients and practice areas that include public health and safety, labor and employment compliance, real estate, finance, taxation, emergency services, licensing and code enforcement, personal injury, premises liability, community development, arts and culture, film industry, information technology, public works and infrastructure, elections, libraries, courts, boards and authorities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as counsel in representing the legal interest of the County for departments in accordance with state and federal laws and rules of professional conduct. Provides legal advice to County management and other department heads elected officials or managers as requested or assigned. Attends all regular and special called meetings of the Board of Commissioners the Planning and Zoning Commission the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Personnel Review Board. Assesses nature of the legal issue presented and provides well-researched legal advice. Provides legal support to County Attorney. Handles complex transactional assignments independently. Researches and analyzes internal regulations policies and procedures or relevant state and federal law. Advices County of legal solution and execution of appropriate steps and implementation. Researches legal issues and writes legal opinions and memoranda. Provides information regarding updated laws and regulations as needed. Manages and oversees litigation of assigned cases to outside counsel. Defends County in in-house litigation matters. Represents departments in personnel matters. Attends classified employee hearings and other proceedings. Drafts and reviews contracts and agreements including review of contracts for compliance with internal policies and procedures as well as local state and federal laws; identification of contract issues and analysis of terms and conditions to ensure County's interests are protected and safeguarded against potential liability. Represents County in tax appeals. Develops and reviews policy legislation and resolutions. Maintains a comprehensive current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws regulations policies and procedures. Communicates with County officials supervisor other employees clients court personnel third-party service contractors the public and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities review the status of work exchange information or resolve problems. Collaborates with Elected Officials and Appointing Authorities to achieve best results in assigned matters. May provide lead guidance and direction to paralegals and administrative staff including instructing and training and assigning and reviewing work. Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OFFICERS EXPERIENCE

Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by three (3) to five (5) years of experience in law as a practicing attorney or licensed judicial law clerk; or any equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge skills and abilities for this job.

SPECIFIC LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS

State Bar of Georgia certification and licensure. Valid driver's license.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend and apply all county or departmental policies practices and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate manage and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time place and/or sequence of operations referencing data analyses to determine the necessity for revision of organizational components and in the formulation of operational strategy. Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a director’s capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction. Equipment Machinery Tools and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment machinery tools and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information as well as reference descriptive and/or design data and information. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition subtraction multiplication and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs. Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of or ability to learn county and department operations ordinances policies procedures terminology and materials as they relate to assignment. Knowledge of administrative and bookkeeping principles practices standards terminology and software; employee supervision; payroll; purchasing. Knowledge of building codes and county ordinances. Knowledge of business English spelling and grammar. Knowledge of basic business mathematics: addition subtraction multiplication and division. Knowledge of mechanical systems building interior and exterior maintenance chillers various control systems and preventative maintenance schedules. Knowledge of modern office practices methods and equipment. Knowledge of specialized software materials terminology and forms essential to the assignment. Skill in creating maintaining and organizing accurate detailed and complete records in accordance with standard record-keeping procedures. Skill in effective inter-personal and public relations and customer service; excellent oral and written communication skills to satisfactorily resolve conflicts and issues and explain established policies and procedures to employees and the general public. Skill in performing tasks which require attention to detail and completing assigned jobs efficiently and correctly. Skill in planning prioritizing and organizing work; ability to handle multiple work assignments efficiently accurately and professionally; skill in planning prioritizing organizing reviewing and evaluating the work of others. Skill in the use of personal computers MS Office Suite databases spreadsheets and word processing. Ability to apply common sense to understand follow and complete verbal and written instructions. Ability to communicate and interact clearly and effectively with all those contacted in the course of work in a professional and courteous manner both orally and in writing; establishing and maintaining effective professional and cordial working relationships. Ability to drive and operate assigned vehicles and equipment in a safe and responsible manner. Ability to handle confidential information professionally and to exercise discretion in performing assigned job duties; inability to maintain confidentiality will be grounds for dismissal. Ability to make sound independent decisions within policy guidelines by exercising good judgment and intelligent situation-assessment. Ability to provide instruction and direction; effective leadership skills; ability to train supervise and motivate staff and/or volunteers. Ability to read analyze interpret and comprehend a variety of documents such as memos instructions correspondence technical and legal documents blueprints ordinances policies design plans maps and deeds et cetera as they relate to assignment. Ability to reconcile data; make necessary additions revisions and updates. Ability to research analyze data and compile information to create clear and concise reports records correspondence and other written material; ability to create clear accurate and effective presentations; ability to develop promotional materials; ability to compose high-level correspondence without assistance. Ability to analyze and resolve routine non-routine and complex problems evaluating alternative solutions and adopting effective course of action by applying or adapting established policies and procedures and through negotiation and counseling. Ability to work in a team setting. Ability to work independently in the absence of specific instructions or direct supervision. Salary and Benefits Salary up to $140,000 annually plus full benefits package. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Employment Opportunities (Section 13-50) \"The recruitment selection appointment and promotion of employees shall be in such a manner as to promote equal employment for all persons without regard to race age color creed religion ancestry gender national origin physical handicap or political affiliation or sexual preference.\" #J-18808-Ljbffr Douglas County, GA