Assistant General Counsel

ABOUT THE JOB

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Led by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from each of the 24 cities and towns and the five county supervisorial districts, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) staff is focused primarily on freeway, interchange, and transit enhancements to the region that first and foremost benefit the taxpayer of San Bernardino County.

Coupling that effort with various non-transportation related objectives from the Council of Governments role of the agency brings the mission of providing quality of life improvements to the residents, business operators, and commuters of our region to the forefront.

For more than four decades, SBCTA (previously known as SANBAG) has taken pride in delivering on its commitment to the voters through the implementation of Measure I.

This half-cent sales tax that generates transportation dollars that are from the region and for the region is a critical element in the agency's goal to keep people and goods moving effectively.

SBCTA calls the historic San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot home. Our headquarters not only positions the agency in the heart of the county, but is symbolic of our longstanding commitment to transportation.

Under general direction, provides a broad range of complex legal services in support of SBCTA / SBCOG goals and objectives and protecting the agency from risk and loss;

provides legal guidance and assistance; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general direction from General Counsel. Provides technical direction over staff as needed; exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Class Characteristics

This is a senior management classification in the General Counsel?s Office. The incumbent oversees, directs, and participates in varied and complex activities of the General Counsel?

s Office, requiring a high degree of independent decision-making, judgment, and discretion. The incumbent is responsible for providing professional-level support to the General Counsel in a variety of areas including participating in short- and long-term planning, development, and administration of department and SBCTA / SBCOG policies and procedures.

Successful performance of the work requires demonstrated knowledge of laws applicable to local government.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists General Counsel in providing advice, guidance, and training to SBCTA / SBCOG staff on legal issues affecting SBCTA programs, projects, and services, such as but not limited to, transportation-related capital improvement projects, open meeting and government laws, conflicts of interest, procurement, contracting, legislation, personnel / labor, voter-approved tax measures and related policies, right-of-way acquisition and disposition, compliance with general state and federal regulations, public records, claims, and internal SBCTA / SBCOG policies and procedures.
• Under General Counsel?s direction, oversees outside counsel in representation of, or represents, SBCTA / SBCOG in matters involving litigation, administrative hearings, regulatory proceedings, dispute resolution, negotiations, and various other transactional matters;

explains, justifies, and defends SBCTA / SBCOG decisions and actions; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and / or controversial issues.

Coordinates legal issues with counsel / attorneys of member agencies and other agencies.

• Prepares, reviews, and approves various legal documents requiring knowledge of SBCTA / SBCOG?s programs / projects, operations, and services and the ability to explain, interpret, and apply relevant federal, state, and local requirements and SBCTA / SBCOG policies and procedures.
• Plans and conducts analysis of case-specific and agencywide topics by researching, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data and information from various internal and external sources;

designs and implements strategies to complete research assignments.

• Prepares and reviews staff reports to the Board of Directors and their committees. Serves as back-up to General Counsel in staffing Board and committee meetings.
• Participates in developing work plans and priorities; reviews quality of work; inspects and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to ensure that legal services are provided in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and SBCTA / SBCOG policies and procedures.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods and continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned functions, service delivery methods, and procedures;

identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with General Counsel; directs the implementation of improvements.

• Attends, participates in, and represents SBCTA / SBCOG at interdepartmental, interagency, and professional meetings; monitors legal, regulatory, technology, and societal changes, and court decisions and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in legal services.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to requests and / or questions from the Executive Director and SBCTA / SBCOG staff in a professional manner.
• Serves as acting General Counsel as needed; oversees General Counsel?s Office operations in the General Counsel?s absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of assigned area of responsibility.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of legislative bodies.
• Principles, practices, and methods of application of public policy and public sector law such as, but not limited to, transportation, construction, public contracting, public meetings, public records, conflict of interest, real property, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, employment, and public finance and taxation.
• General principles and practices of government administration.
• Federal, state, and regional government structures, processes, and resources.
• Principles and procedures of legal case management.
• Legal strategies for public agency risk mitigation.
• Legal research and analysis, and reporting techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Business and legal document writing.
• Records management principles and practices including recording, retention, storage, and disclosure requirements.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively working with consultants and SBCTA / SBCOG staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to :

• Provide advice, guidance, and training on legal issues affecting SBCTA / SBCOG programs, projects, and services.
• Effectively represent SBCTA / SBCOG in legal proceedings and in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, SBCTA / SBCOG policies, procedures, and funding guidelines.
• Conduct complex research projects on a wide variety of topics, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Prepare and present clear and concise legal documents, opinions, contracts, agreements, reports, correspondence, polices, procedures, and other written materials.
• Understand, interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and / or Experience :

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be :

Equivalent to the completion of a Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or the California Bar Association and five to ten years of increasingly responsible legal counsel experience advising on matters closely related to public agency law.

Licenses and Certifications :

• Active membership in the State Bar of California to be maintained throughout employment.
• Requires possession of a valid California Driver?s License, a satisfactory driving record, and a properly registered and insured vehicle, to be maintained throughout employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer;
• to operate a motor vehicle and visit various SBCTA / SBCOG sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen;

and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.

Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

Employees may interact with upset staff and / or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures.