Attorney Advisor

General Job Information

Job Summary

This position is located in the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA), Office of Open Government (OOG). The mission of OOG is to promote open and transparent government operations in an effort to provide District citizens with greater access to information about how government officials make and implement decisions. OOG is responsible for ensuring that public bodies comply with the D.C.

Open Meetings Act (OMA); and for providing advisory guidance on the D.C. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). OOG is seeking the services of an Attorney Advisor who is dedicated to ensuring government transparency. This attorney will be principally responsible for ensuring that public bodies that have decision-making responsibilities concerning D.C.

Public Schools adhere to the OMA. This attorney will also be responsible for rendering legal advice on FOIA to government agencies, government officials, and the public, on behalf of OOG.

Duties and Responsibilities

The function of this position is to serve as Attorney Advisor, responsible for providing expert legal advice to BEGA, the Chief Counsel, and the Director of Open Government. The work involves advising District personnel on FOIA matters; investigating alleged OMA violations; and supporting other agencies on open government matters.

Attorneys within OOG handle a variety of related matters concerning government transparency. This position also serves as OOG's Education Attorney and is the primary contact for legal matters related to D.C. public schools. This position interprets and renders advice on open government laws and regulations that pertain to District of Columbia public schools and advises and trains education-related public bodies, including Local School Advisory Teams and D.C.

Public Charter School Boards of Trustees.

The Attorney-Advisor serves as subject matter expert in D.C.

FOIA and provides written and oral legal advice to D.C.

FOIA officers and the public on matters involving the implementation of D.C.

FOIA. Maintains an understanding and awareness of the District of Columbia's information technology solutions in support of electronic production and processing of records to improve FOIA efficiencies.Prepares reports on the number and disposition of complaints, and the number and type of formal and informal requests for advice. Provides and coordinates training on compliance with OMA and FOIA laws and regulations to agency officials, public bodies, and District government employees, through workshops and seminars.

There is substantial contact and engagement with government agencies and officials and individual members of the public. Works on legal matters, as directed, and performs other duties assigned.

Qualifications and Education

Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. A minimum of 2 years of specialized experience at or equivalent to the LA-12 grade level, or its non District equivalent.

Experiencein open records law, open meetings law, or education law is required with education law must include exposure to administrative matters related to public schools and private schools and/or legal representation of schools, school districts, or universities. Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized expereince at the next lower grade level that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills, and abiliites (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related the position to be filled.

License and Certification

The incumbent 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 shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her/their employment in the Legal Service. If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to their appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her/their completed District of Columbia bar application has been submitted to the District of Columbia Bar.

Working Conditions/ Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) is required.

Other Significant Factors:

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-0905-13

Salary: The starting salary for this position is negotiable up to $112,628 depending on qualifications and availability of funds.

Tour of Duty:

Monday-Friday 8:30 am

• 5:00 pm

In-person reporting with telework and flexible work schedules available.

Promotion Potential: None

Duration Of Appointment: Legal Service

• Regular

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

Position Designation: The position has been deemed security sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

The District of Columbia government maintains a drug free work environment policy. All District employees are subject to post-accident/incident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

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.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION:

In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C.

Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act.

Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

• Application must be completed in its entirety, along with a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample. If experiencing issues uploading attachments, please send the required documents to opengovoffice@dc.gov.
  
  Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position. Additionally, please be sure to provide up-to-date references, upon request.*