Attorney Advisor

Job Summary

This position is located in the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DCFEMS), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The Attorney Advisor will serve as the Assistant General Counsel and provide the Fire Chief of DCFEMS with assistance in organizing, planning, and directing comprehensive legal issues and problems throughout the department. Areas of specialization include investigations, training, legislation, DCFEMS policies and procedures, Congressional and D.C. Council matters, and administrative law. The incumbent is responsible for serving in an executive staff capacity by participating in meetings with other agencies concerned with legal problems and initiating and attending internal meetings to determine issues and prioritize the components necessary for the resolution of the problems. The incumbent is also responsible for conferring with the Fire Chief and executive staff to establish priorities for departmental legal activities and acts as a liaison with the community by appearing before citizens and professional groups to communicate the suggestions and recommendations from those concerned with Fire and EMS related problems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General to provide departmental responses to pending litigation in a variety of matters, including E.E.O. matters, grievances, affirmative action, union negotiations, disciplinary matters, etc. Serves along with other attorneys in the Office of General Counsel as a clearing house for all legal actions against Fire and EMS to ensure that the proper parties are at the commanded place at the appropriate time. In such capacity, provides pre-trial counseling services to subpoenaed employees, advising them of their obligation to present factual and truthful information. Serves, as needed, as a special assistant to the Fire Chief on matters of a controversial or confidential nature that are likely to result in court intervention.

Reviews formal decisions of the various courts such as the D.C. Superior Court, D.C. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly in connection with the impact such decisions have on existing policies, practices, procedures, methods, techniques, and operations of the department. As necessary, prepares a detailed analysis of such decisions and recommend changes necessary to comply with such court decisions. Writes and reviews various agreements between the Department and other District agencies and/or private individuals and organizations to ensure conformance with District regulations. Ensures the Department's timely compliance with numerous court orders, settlement agreements, and final decisions and orders issued by administrative agencies and judicial authorities. Reviews documents created in disciplinary actions for legal sufficiency, including proposed actions and final agency decisions. Ensures that the Department is in conformance with pending and newly based legislation, court decisions, regulations, etc., that could affect agency operations. Reviews new legislative designs to assess the impact on departmental management objectives.

Qualifications and Education

Must possess an LLB or Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of employment.

Must have at least four (4) years of post-J.D. professional legal services.

Licenses and 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.

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is primarily sedentary and performed in the normal office setting, is generally sedentary, and makes no unusual physical demands. Some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as boxes of records, briefs, cases, and exhibits) is required. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Promotion Potential - None.

Other Significant Facts

Areas of Specialization: Knowledgeable of Employment Law. The candidate must have substantive knowledge of District and federal law, excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding legal research skills. The candidate must also be organized and possess the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Tour of Duty: Monday Friday 8: 45a.m. 5:15p.m.

Duration of Appointment: Legal Service, Regular Appointment

Pay Plan, Series, and Grade: LA-0905-15

Collective Bargaining: This position is NOT under a collective bargaining agreement.

Position Designation : This position has been designated as Security Sensitive . Pursuant to Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check, Traffic record check, and Consumer credit check (as applicable), Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test. As a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming Residency Preference will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement : The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.