Closing Date: 7th June, 2024

Description:

General Job Information
Introduction:
A Government Entity mission is to provide environments that invite reading, learning and community discussion and equips people to learn all their lives, to embrace diversity and to build a thriving city. DCPL is proud to be a recognized force in the community for engaging the mind, expanding opportunities and elevating the quality of life.

The Office of General Counsel supports DCPL by providing quality legal advice and services in order to further the mission of DCPL, minimize legal risk to DCPL, and to ensure legal compliance. The Office of General Counsel reports to DCPL's Executive Director.

This position is located in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) system, under the General Counsel, within the Office of the General Counsel. The incumbent will serve as an Attorney Advisor responsible for providing proficient legal advice in DCPL, general counsel to the Board of Library Trustees, Executive Director/Chief Librarian and other senior staff within DCPL, as requested.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Serves as a senior attorney in DCPL handling more complex and difficult matters. Reviews various legal documents and relevant case laws to determine whether execution or non-execution of proposed actions is in the best interest of the District of Columbia government.
Examines and analyses proposed orders, legislation and other legal documents from various sources for legal sufficiency. Performs the aforementioned research and provides oral or written opinions resulting from such analysis.
Drafts legislation and regulations relevant to Agency operations. Reviews records of hearings and preparation of briefs filed.
Prepares memoranda on legal questions and proposals, and drafts tentative documents of final decision for consideration by senior staff.
Consults frequently with officials of various administrative agencies, e.g., Office of Attorney General (OAG) and Office of Procurement (OCP), as needed. Works as an attorney liaison with OAG and OCP when handling civil litigation for DCPL in Superior Court of the District of Columbia, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Contract Appeals Board, and Appeals Court.
As a liaison, the incumbent is responsible for providing advice, agency responses, file documents, court responses, etc., as requested and needed for litigation in for Superior Court of the District of Columbia, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Contract Appeals Board.
Oversees responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and subpoena requests.
Develops trainings for agency staff on pending legal issues.
Drafts contracts, responds to procurement inquiries, memorandums of understandings, and memorandums of agreements. Represents DCPL as agency counsel.
Prepares and/or reviews complaints, citations and other documents related to pleadings, as the basis for hearings or other litigation actions filed in various administrative courts.
Attends and participates in meetings with committees of the Council of the District of Columbia and other District agencies pertaining to proposed laws and/or legislation which may affect existing laws related to the functions of DCPL, as assigned.
Keeps abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the functions of DCPL. Recommends appropriate course of action to supervisor, as deemed necessary.
Provides technical guidance and assistance to junior attorneys and paralegal(s) of the Office in areas of special expertise. Oversees paralegal(s) duties, to include, ensuring that case and calendar management, various quarterly and annual reports, are prepared, documented, and filed, as directed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
The incumbent must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited institution by the American Bar Association (ABA) in addition to a minimum of six (6) year of post J.D. professional legal experience.

All applicants must present a combination of experience, education, skills, self-development, and expertise to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

The successful candidate for this position must have a law degree and must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar. (Certification of Good Standing of the DC Bar must be submitted with application.) The candidate must also have strong interpersonal and communication skills; must have strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently; must have strong written communication skills; legal research and writing ability; must have knowledge of the DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEO), and DC Human Rights Act (DCHRA); must be able to work in a team environment; must have administrative law experience. Litigation experience, experience drafting legislation, or experience in procurement and contracting is highly desired. In addition, the following is required:

KSA #1: Experience in performing legal research using Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis legal support software.
KSA #2: Experience in drafting legal briefs, contracts and memoranda relating to the legal issues filed within the Office of the General Counsel.
KSA #3: Experience in litigating and mediating in District of Columbia Administrative Courts.
KSA #4: Experience in drafting legislation OR experience with the contracting and procurement process.
KSA #5: Experience with the DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEO), and DC Human Rights Act (DCHRA).
Knowledge of research strategies and techniques sufficient to research the most complex legal issues.
Knowledge at the expert level of the controlling statutes, regulations, and case law pertaining to the subject matter of the particular issue sufficient to develop legal opinions whether through the litigation process or administratively.
In-depth knowledge of several titles of law, agency policies, regulations and procedures; Federal and state laws related to functions of DCPL/Office/Division/Section
Skill in interpreting and applying legal knowledge in various situations.
Highly developed skills in the analysis and resolution of difficult legal issues in an orderly, systematic, and effective manner.
Skill in interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations and practices, including agency policies and relevant judicial decisions.
Skill in applying sound judgment in review and analysis of matters assigned and deriving logical conclusions.
Skill in communicating precisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar at the time of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.

Working Conditions/Environment:
The work is performed in an office environment.

Residency Requirement:
A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 950) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

General Suitability Screening
This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.

Enhanced Suitability Screening
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening; If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and the appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.

Employment Benefits:
Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government's retirement plan. However, if selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.