Description:
Position Summary:This position serves as the Right to Know Officer for the County of Berks. This position provides legal representation to the Election Services Department and the Berks County Board of Elections. This position advises the Board of Commissioners as well as all departments and some elected offices of the County on Right to Know matters.
Position Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Provides legal advice and representation to the Berks County Board of Elections and Election Services Department.
- Files legal pleadings, briefs, and documents necessary to represent the County at various miscellaneous hearings and matters.
- Attend and advocate for the interests of the Berks County Board of Elections in election-related litigation hearings and matters.
- Monitor the status of, and changes in, Pennsylvania election law and Federal election law to advise the Berks County Board of Elections accordingly.
- Drafts contracts, ordinances and various other legal documents for the Board of Commissioners and other County departments.
- Drafts and reviews contracts developed as a result of the public procurement process.
- Drafts and reviews grant expenditure reports for compliance with the law.
- Provides coverage for the County Solicitor and the First Assistant County Solicitor at public meetings and legal proceedings.
- Works with County Departments and HR to draft, review and revise County Policies on elections matters and Right to Know practices.
- In accordance with the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, acts as the County of Berks Right to Know Officer and is responsible for compliance, timeliness, and implementation of the County Right to Know Policies and Procedures.
- Handle all stages of the Right-To-Know process from receipt of request through appellate proceedings.
- Responsible for ensuring best practices and consistency are maintained throughout the Right-To-Know process, including proper safeguarding of protected information, consistent with the requirements of the Right-To-Know Law.
- Advises the Board of Commissioners, County Departments, and some elected offices regarding inquires affecting Right-To-Know considerations.
- Conducts County wide training on Right to Know issues.
- Responsible for ensuring requests for election records are handled through the appropriate procedures set forth within the Election Code or Right-To-Know Law.
- Assists Election Services with the drafting, development, and implementation of training for elections staff, elected officials and poll workers to improve the overall operations of elections from a legal perspective.
- Acts as a liaison between the County, the public, County departments and outside agencies on issues including Right to Know requests, election matters, grants, contract matters and County government procedures.
Non-Essential Functions:
None.
Minimum Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
- Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
- Seven (7) years of experience in related legal field.
- Specialized knowledge of records management, elections law and Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.
- Prior experience in a governmental entity in a capacity which would provide the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of trial advocacy including Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure.
- Knowledge of appellate advocacy including knowledge of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
- Knowledge of Administrative Procedure.
- Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Election Code and Pennsylvania Right-To-Know Law
- Knowledge of applicable, local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to interpret and apply applicable rules, laws, ordinances, and policies.
- Knowledge of the organization and functions, preferably the 3rd Class County Code.
- Ability to maintain confidential and protected information.
- Ability to write clearly and persuasively.
- Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and courtesy.
- Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Ability to organize work in a logical, effective, and efficient manner.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to maintain professional demeanor when dealing with internal/external customers.
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of organization and sound judgment.
- Ability to develop effective relationships with department heads, agency directors, elected officials, private contractors, media representatives and the public.
- Ability to thrive in a stressful, fast-paced team environment.
- Physical presence in required.
