Deputy General Counsel

Make a difference and join the DCA Team! DCA gives employees more to do than merely make a living. We are serious about helping Georgia's families live more abundantly with a greater sense of hope and achievement. If public service, a great environment, and the desire to enrich the lives of others motivate you to do your best work, you should consider joining the DCA Team.

OUR MISSION

To help build strong, vibrant communities.

OUR VISION

For Georgians of today and tomorrow to have the opportunity to live and work in thriving communities.

OUR CULTURE

We are a diverse team of highly competent and committed professionals who strive to help people and communities thrive through technical expertise, innovative thinking, and a passion for making a difference. Team members are at their best when collaborating and supporting each other as they perform challenging and dynamic work

General Description

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a state organization dedicated to partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses. DCA offers a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic environment that requires attention to detail, pride in quality of work, and the ability to work as a versatile team player.

Overview of Job:

Reporting to the DCA General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel provides legal counsel and guidance to the DCA/GHFA leadership to ensure maximum protection of the agency's legal rights and that operations are fully compliant with the law. The Deputy General Counsel provides legal and strategic advice to the agency on a wide variety of matters, including contracts, governance, federal and state regulatory requirements, and all other regulations and laws impacting the agency's mission. The Deputy General Counsel manages and directs agency staff attorneys and legal support staff.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

• Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university

AND

• An active license to practice law in Georgia.

• Minimum of four years of relevant legal practice experience required or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job duties and responsibilities of the job, as determined by the State of Georgia

• Experience managing in a legal setting is preferred

• Legal experience in state, local and/or federal government is preferred

• Proven problem-solving and team building skills

• Excellent organizational skills

• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite

• Knowledge of state and federal laws on contracting/procurement, open records, open meetings, rule-making and fair housing.

• Skill in legal analysis and legal writing

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Must be detail oriented and organized

• Must possess excellent customer service skills and work well under pressure

• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the General Counsel with agency legal matters

• Direct and manage the agency's Senior Associate General Counsels, Associate General Counsels and Legal Support Staff

• Provide regular advice and counsel to staff on legal risk, regulatory compliance, and legal processes.

• Monitor and enforce a strategy for legal resource-sharing within the agency

• Develop and deliver guidelines, trainings, and toolkits for staff regarding fair housing compliance, whistleblower act compliance, state contracting, and other issues relevant to agency operations.

• Direct, draft and negotiate agreements, including grants, MOAs, MOUs, consulting agreements and partnership agreements.

• Assist with reviewing and approving contracts and agreement terms with outside entities and developing processes and systems to organize and track contract creation and renewals.

• Render legal advice in all areas of general law, including procurement, state and local government, tort, insurance, banking law, bankruptcy, fiscal and regulatory matters.

• Maintain the highest level of professional and ethical standards, acting in compliance with both the letter and spirit of applicable laws and regulations.

• Assist with overseeing litigation and dispute resolution activities for matters filed against the agency.

• Act as a liaison with the Attorney General's office, outside counsel and advisors.

• Assist with managing legal services provided by outside counsel and technical consultants.

• Communicate directly, and on behalf of the General Counsel, with Board members on matters related to the governance and activities of the agency.

• Research, prioritize, and follow up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the General Counsel, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature.

• Determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response.

• Demonstrate leadership and maintain credibility, trust, and support with all staff; and

• Develops and conducts training for program staff and external participants who engage with DCA's Legal Department.

• Performs other professional responsibilities as assigned by the General Counsel

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions (travel, hours, environment)

Hybrid Work Environment (minimally 3 days in the office per week)

Sedentary Work

• Ability to exert 10 - 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Limited Travel Required from time to time

PHYSICAL/SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

Sedentary Work

• Ability to exert 10 - 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

NOTE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided. Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

DCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need an accommodation for an interview, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 679-4845

Hiring is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, criminal records investigation, and motor vehicle reports.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the business and requirement of the job change. This job posting may close at any time upon gaining a sufficient applicant pool from which to select a qualified candidate.

All duties and responsibilities listed are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Marginal functions of the position (those that are incidental to the performance of the job duties) have not been included. However, the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND licensed to practice law in Georgia AND Four years of management related legal experience.

Additional Information

• Agency Logo: Requisition ID: LEG0288

• Number of Openings: 1

• Advertised Salary: $103,000-$118,000

• Shift: Day Job

• Internal Contact Name: Tara Montgomery

• Internal Contact Email: tara.montgomery@dca.ga.gov

• Posting End Date: Jul 5, 2024