Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Posted: 20-Aug-24
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Internal Number: R04162
Job Title: County Attorney
Department: Legal
Hiring Range: $123,029.40 - $190,695.57
Job Posting End Date: September 15, 2024
Buncombe County Government is hiring a County Attorney. This position is a key member of Buncombe County’s leadership team and is appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. This position supports initiatives across all County Departments and their work in our 2025 Strategic Plan focus areas. We expect the first round of interviews to occur at the end of September, with in-person panel interviews to follow. We hope to have a hire in place in late October.
Candidates must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina by the date they start work. It is the candidate’s responsibility to confirm this licensure by date of hire. For a list of states with which NC has comity, see here: North Carolina Board of Law Examiners - States with which North Carolina has Comity (ncble.org)
Purpose of the position:
This position is appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The purpose of this position is to act as legal counsel and advisor to the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and Senior Staff serving as a subject matter expert in a variety of legal areas that typically pertain to municipal government.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Juris Doctor Degree, and eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law, including work for local government; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: North Carolina State Bar License is required by date of hire; Valid NC Driver’s License
Essential Functions of the position:
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Provide County officials and departments with legal counsel to include research of issues presented and provision of legal opinions through oral and written response.
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Directs the preparation of ordinances, resolutions, and proclamations for the Commission; prepares other legislation affecting the County.
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Evaluate complex legal issues; advise appropriate County personnel on recommended or required course of action; issue legal opinions on behalf of the County; assist County staff and departments with legal inquiries or problems.
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Defend administration actions against the County by preparation of written County response.
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Draft and interpret complex legal documents including opinions, briefs, contracts, reports, correspondence, and other legal and non-legal documents.
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Answer legal inquiries from County officials; prepare legal opinions on the more complex matters concerning the powers and duties of various boards and commissions.
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Attend meetings of the County Commission, render legal advice upon request, and review the legal propriety of documents under consideration by the Commission or County administrative officials.
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Supervise and participate in litigation matters brought against the County or filed on behalf of the County.
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Develop and Implement Risk and Compliance Strategies: Analyze legal risks associated with County operations and develop strategies to mitigate them. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations by advising County departments on risk management and compliance best practices. Conduct regular reviews and audits of County policies and procedures to identify potential areas of risk and recommend necessary changes to maintain legal and regulatory compliance.
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Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
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Knowledge of NC General Statutes, federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures regarding county government.
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Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, judicial procedure, and rules of evidence.
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Knowledge of County organization, departments, and functions.
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Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of governmental law.
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Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
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Skills in statutory interpretation and legal research analyses and writing.
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Ability to analyze legal aspects of governmental problems and to provide sound advice and assistance as needed.
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Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
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Ability to present facts, law, and arguments clearly, logically, and persuasively.
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Ability to draft ordinances, regulations, policies, rules, opinions, and orders.
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Ability to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the County.
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Ability to direct and evaluate the work assigned personnel.
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Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.
In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.