Assistant Counsel (In-Rem), Development/Land Management (NCS) - Department of Housing and Community Development

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

POSTING DATE : 04 / 05 / 2024

CLOSING DATE : 06 / 05 / 2024 EXTENDED UNTIL 9 / 5 / 2024 AT 12 : 00 MIDNIGHT

SALARY : $77,191.00 - $123,343.00 Annually

CLASS DESCRIPTION

The City of Baltimore Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) is seeking an Assistant Counsel (In Rem) for the Development / Land Management Division.

The City of Baltimore Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) was created in 1968 to consolidate local community development efforts with housing and building code enforcement.

With over 400 employees, DHCD strengthens City neighborhoods by attracting investors, developers, and homebuyers. Through the administration of CDBG, HOME, City bond funds, and other creative financing mechanisms, DHCD’s finances and guides strategic development projects to meet housing and neighborhood needs.

To hold property owners accountable and keep neighborhoods safe, DHCD monitors construction and building activity and enforces the City's building, fire, zoning, and related codes, as well as provides energy conservation services.

An Assistant Counsel (In Rem) in our Development / Land Management division performs legal work related to Judicial in rem tax foreclosure procedures, which are an effective means of eliminating health and safety hazards by putting certain tax delinquent properties back on the tax rolls and into productive use.

As required, the position may also include other Circuit Court cases, including but not necessarily limited to condemnation and tax sale foreclosure, as well as drafting and review of legal documents.

The work of this class may involve leading paralegals but does not involve full supervisory duties or responsibilities.

Incumbents receive moderate supervision from the Managing Attorney, Associate General Counsel. Employees in this class work a conventional workweek.

Work is performed in an office setting where normal working conditions are encountered. The work requires minimal physical exertion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs legal research and renders legal opinions on questions that are raised and submitted by the agency (DHCD), drafting agency agreements, contracts, and other legal documents.
• May administer procurement and service contracts; participate in vendor selection and monitor contracts to ensure compliance with specifications and conditions;

assigns and reviews work of paralegals.

• Represents DHCD, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, on matters relating to property acquisition in District Court, Circuit Court, and at the appellate level.
• Files and maintains cases in Tax Sale Foreclosure, Condemnation, In Rem Foreclosure, and other legal theories; manages a large docket of said cases and sees them through to judgment;

represents DHCD, for MCC, in hearings and trials as required.

Writes, reviews, alters, and approves for legal sufficiency various legal documents required by DHCD relating to the acquisition and disposition of Real Property.

Such documents include, but are not limited to deeds, mortgages, releases, contracts, land disposition agreements, settlement agreements, liens, etc.

Performs title examinations on title abstracts received by the DHCD, identifying defects, deciding on and executing cures, and advising the Development Division on actions required to ensure that it obtains or conveys marketable, insurable title to properties, in pursuit of DHCD’s objectives.

Drafts legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and City Council of Baltimore, reviewing bills in said bodies that may affect DHCD’s interests and opinions on whether to support, oppose, or amend said bills;

and testifies before legislative bodies related to legislation.

Drafts, reviews, and recommends approval or disapproval of rules, regulations, and policies to carry out approved legislation and DHCD goals.

Also, represents DHCD before various bodies including Board of Estimates, legislative bodies, community groups, etc.

Supervises, assigns, and reviews the work of paralegals and other legal administrative support staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

EDUACTION : Have a law degree from an accredited law school.

EXPERIENCE : Have two (2) years of experience in trial work, legal writing and / or municipal law and practice before circuit and district courts.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND CERTIFICTIONS :

Admission to the Bar of the State of Maryland is required.

Have a valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver's license or equivalent out-of-state driver's license acceptable to the Division of Safety of the Office of Risk Management is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Expert knowledge of the principles and practices of law.
• Expert knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and City statues.
• Knowledge of the sources of legal reference.
• Ability to draft and administer contractual agreements.
• Ability to interview others.
• Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles.
• Ability to develop and conduct training in the interpretation and application of laws, policies and regulations to ensure compliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to prepare narrative and statistical reports.
• Administrative ability.

NOTE : Those eligible candidates who are under final consideration for appointment to positions in this class will be required to authorize the release of criminal conviction information.

Financial Disclosure :

BALTIMORE CITY AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER