General Counsel

This position is located in the District Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).

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-your 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.

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.

Licensure/ Certification:

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.

Experience:

Must have at least six (6) year of post J.D. professional legal experience.

Working Conditions/Environment:

The majority of the work is performed in an office which is an adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.

Other Significant Factors:

Duration of Appointment: Legal Service – Regular Appointment

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LX-0905-02

Promotion Potential: None

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Area of Consideration: Open To Public

Position Designation: This position is designated as Security Sensitive, the incumbent will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations, Suitability.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

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.