Senior Attorney

Overview

AC Transit is currently seeking candidates for the position of Senior Attorney. The primary purpose of this position is to advise and support AC Transit on all legal aspects related to procurement, contracts, and contract compliance. The position will work closely with AC Transit's Contract and Contract Compliance teams, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts and funding agreements with vendors, suppliers, contractors, and consultants. The Senior Attorney will ensure that all procurement activities comply with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies, and will work with various departments to mitigate risks and ensure contract compliance. The position reports to the General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer. Positions at this level may provide direction and guidance to other attorneys as needed.

Responsibilities

• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of procurement contracts including construction, professional services, technology, and supply agreements.
• Ensure that contracts reflect the agency's objectives and comply with applicable laws, including FTA regulations, DBE participation, and other relevant requirements.
• Provide legal advice on procurement practices, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local procurement regulations, including bid protests, contract disputes, and public bidding laws.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with procurement and contract management.
• Work closely with the Contract and Contract Compliance teams to ensure compliance with agency policies and procedures; provide legal counsel and ensure efficient procurement processes.
• Act as the primary legal advisor in contract-related disputes, claims, and negotiations, working with external legal counsel as needed.
• Serve as the agency's subject matter expert on procurement law and public contracting, advising senior management on complex legal issues.
• Provide ongoing legal support throughout the life of contracts, including amendments, extensions, terminations, and dispute resolution.
• Assist Contract and Procurement staff in the development and implementation of contract templates, guidelines, and policies to streamline procurement processes.
• In cohesion with Contract Compliance staff conducts periodic audits of procurement processes and contracts to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Respond to public record requests for information and subpoenas.
• Provide lead direction, guidance, and training to other Attorneys; review work assignments, evaluate work product; set priorities and follow up to ensure coordination and timely completion of assigned work.
• Direct the work and lead teams of attorneys on projects requiring interdisciplinary skills and policy development.
• Provide legal advice and render legal opinions on matters assigned by the General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer or Assistant General Counsel.
• Confers with the General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer, Assistant General Counsel, General Manager / Chief Executive Officer, and other District executive staff to formulate and implement policies for the District in the area of assignment.
• Develops District administrative policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, as well as court-ordered judgments, settlements, and decrees.
• Drafts and analyzes Board policies, administrative regulations, resolutions, memoranda, contracts, solicitations, funding agreements, and other legal documents.
• Provides expert legal supervision to investigations, fact-finding, depositions, and other activities required in connection with negotiations or litigation.
• Provides legal advice on employment law, federal and state labor laws, contracts, transit district law, and the collective bargaining agreements to Executive Officers, Department Heads, and other District staff.
• Develops policies and procedures regarding labor and employment law to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state labor laws and the District collective bargaining agreements.
• Recommends personnel actions, when appropriate.
• Provides general legal direction to District departments.
• Conducts settlement negotiations and recommends settlement amounts and details to the General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel.
• Advises and directs subordinate attorneys on District policies and procedures regarding legal matters; assists in the operation of the General Counsel Calendar; may assist in determining case assignments for attorneys; directs training procedures for subordinate attorneys, technical and clerical staff.
• May be required to temporarily replace or act in the position of the General Counsel / Chief Legal Officer staff member to whom this position normally reports and may be required to perform some or all of the staff member's essential functions in such situations.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

Experience working with transit agencies or similar public / government entities.

Physical Requirements : Must maintain the physical condition necessary to : (1) perform tasks in an office setting operating a personal computer, keyboards, and other peripheral equipment; and (2) possess physical mobility to attend off-site trials, hearings, negotiations, and external meetings and events.

This position is unrepresented at-will.

The Selection Process

The Human Resources department must receive a completed online application by the filing date. If this recruitment is "Continuous," it may be closed at any time without notice. Applications will be screened for job-related qualifications, and those candidates who best meet the qualifications listed on this Job Announcement will be invited to participate in an examination process that may include written, oral, and / or performance segments. Current District employees must have satisfactory attendance and performance records. Finalists will be placed on an Eligibility List. When filling vacancies, the Human Resources Department will refer the top candidates to the hiring department for final screening and recommendation.

Benefits

The transit professionals who call AC Transit home represent the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area. For more than 60 years, we have been an equal opportunity employer honoring religion, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender expression, genetic information, disabilities, age, and veteran status. We are not only an inclusive employer but also offer a comprehensive benefits package rooted in choice, flexibility, and affordability. Most Benefits are effective the first of the month following your hire date. Employees and eligible dependents have access to the following benefits :

Pension : All AC Transit employees participate in a lifetime defined benefit pension. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2020 may be in the District's Tier II pension plan under PEPRA.

ADA Compliant and Drug Free Workplace : The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment / examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you have a need for an accommodation, please call Human Resources at (510) 891-4783. The Alameda Contra Costa Transit District has established the goal of a 100 percent drug and alcohol-free workplace. Applicants will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment and those in safety sensitive positions will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing. In accordance with federal requirements, all job applicants selected for appointments in a safety sensitive position are subject to pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. A final job applicant will be tested for five prohibited drugs : Cocaine, PCP, Amphetamines, Marijuana and Opiates. During employment, employees holding safety sensitive positions are subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing. Additionally, in the event of an absence of more than 90 days from a safety sensitive position, pre-employment drug testing will be performed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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