Deputy Legal Counsel (Limited-Term)

Description

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking to fill the position of Deputy Legal Counsel (Limited-Term), offering an exciting opportunity to provide legal services in support of SCAG’s growing portfolio of contracts, MOUs, grants, and various operational programs. This role is ideal for a legal professional seeking to deepen their expertise in a regional public agency environment. This role offers significant opportunities for career development through hands-on experience with the responsibilities outlined below, as well as close mentorship and collaboration with the Chief Counsel and Senior Deputy Legal Counsel. As a member of the Legal Services division, the Deputy Legal Counsel will serve as a technical resource to SCAG’s executive management, staff, and governing bodies. This position involves a broad scope of responsibilities, including advising on agency operations and assisting the Chief Counsel and Senior Deputy Legal Counsel with complex legal matters. This position will collaborate with internal stakeholders, including SCAG’s Board Counsel, to ensure legal compliance and mitigate risk across operations. The Deputy Legal Counsel will have a key role in supporting SCAG's increasing volume of contracts and agreements and providing legal counsel in various areas.

This is a limited-term position with an estimated term length of 3 years. Term length may be adjusted based on available funding.

The Legal Services division currently consists of two full-time attorney positions, plus an administrative assistant, who support over 200 employees and serves as the definitive internal strategic legal resource to SCAG. The Legal Services division’s mission is to capably and efficiently provide high quality legal assistance to the organization, while also offering creative solutions to advance operational goals.

WHO WE ARE
As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.

SCAG operates as a hybrid organization because we recognize that work can be successfully performed in various locations. Designing a work environment and culture where SCAG’s mission, effectiveness, and collaboration can be more flexibly served demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) by supporting work-life balance for our employees, retaining our existing dedicated staff, and increasing access to new talent pools.

As part of our Work@SCAG hybrid approach, employees’ eligibility in the three work models (office, hybrid, remote) will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties. All work models require employees to work from a location based within the SCAG region. This position is expected to be in the office two day(s) per week.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

MISSION
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.

VISION
Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.

SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.
• Cultivate Belonging: Embrace differences, foster equity, champion inclusion, and empower all.

In this role you can expect to

• Draft, review, negotiate, and approve contracts, agreements, amendments, memoranda of understanding, task orders, and other legal documents, and provide related legal advice to the CFO and other staff.
• Advise on public agency contracting and procurement processes to ensure contracts and agreements comply with federal, state, and/or local funding requirements, particularly from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
• Review grant agreements and offer guidance to staff on compliance with grant regulations, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations during contract and grant implementation.
• Provide legal support to SCAG’s Regional Council and various committees, including reviewing meeting agendas and notices, ensuring meeting proceedings comply with public agency requirements such as the Brown Act and Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, and presenting and explaining legal issues and opinions in public meetings.
• Perform legal research and draft legal memoranda.
• Provide legal advice and opinions to SCAG’s executive leadership, management, and employees on a broad range of legal issues relating to SCAG’s programs, projects, and responsibilities.
• Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation, regulation, and court decisions, evaluate their impact on SCAG operations and recommend appropriate action, and support SCAG’s legislative advocacy team in pursuing relevant legislation and regulatory changes.
• Assist in developing and implementing complex strategic programs of organizational importance relating to SCAG policies, procedures, and business practices.
• Oversee responses to Public Records Act requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to this role

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required skills, knowledge, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be with 3 year's experience in public agency legal representation and contracts and a graduate degree in Juris Doctorate.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS
License to practice law in California.

We'll be a great match if you also have:

• Experience in developing, drafting, and negotiating agreements, including those between public agencies and with nonprofit entities and for public works projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal principles and practices relating to contracts, prevailing wage laws, insurance, transportation, land use, environmental issues, and construction matters, particularly as applied to public agencies.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying federal, state, and local laws, codes, policies, and regulations effectively.
• Understanding of public law topics, such as procurement, competitive bidding, state planning law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal transportation law, open meeting laws (e.g. the Brown Act), the Public Records Act, and conflict of interest laws (e.g., Political Reform Act).
• Experience with statutes applicable to the FTA, FHWA, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
• Knowledge of public works construction law, including various project delivery methods and relevant procurement principles.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify, quantify, and interpret legal principles to make recommendations that align with organizational strategies.
• Excellent organizational skills and a keen eye for detail, with the ability to meet deadlines on complex legal matters.
• Interpersonal skills that build trust and maintain integrity under pressure, with the ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in conducting thorough research and preparing clear legal opinions, backed by strong communication and negotiation skills.
• A collaborative mindset, valuing the input and expertise of colleagues while supporting professional development and fostering a culture of open communication, trust, and accountability.

Supplemental Information

Please note, this posting will remain open until October 31, 2024, with the first application review taking place on October 24, 2024. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.

Insurance Coverage
Employees may choose from nine HMO and two PPO health plans administered through CalPERS. SCAG contributes the following amounts towards the monthly health premium: $850 for employee only coverage; $1500 for employee plus one dependent; $1800 for employee plus family. Employees may waive SCAG-sponsored health plans by providing evidence of other health coverage each plan year. Upon meeting eligibility requirements, employee is eligible to receive opt out amount of $200 per month, paid as taxable earnings. Premiums for dental and vision are covered 100% by SCAG. Life insurance in the amount of $50,000 is provided by SCAG. Supplemental life insurance is available at a minimal cost to the employee. Short-term and long-term disability insurance plans are provided by SCAG.

Retirement
Employees become members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Effective January 1, 2013, for new members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the retirement formula is calculated at 2% @ 62 with a Three Year Average Formula. In accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the new member will have a mandatory contribution of 7% of reportable compensation. Employees who are current members of CalPERSor an agency with CalPERS reciprocity, or who have less than a six-month break in service between employment with SCAGor in a CalPERS(or reciprocal) agency will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula.

Empower deferred compensation plan is available and all non-management positions receive a 50% match, up to $1,500. Employees do not pay Social Security.

Paid Parental Leave
12 weeks of paid parental leave to employees following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connectionwith adoption or foster care. Employees become eligible for this benefit after12 months of employment at SCAG.

Holidays
Employees receive 10 designated holidays and 44 hours of Personal Floating Holidays (PFH) per fiscal year, 11 hours for each full quarter worked.

Vacation Accrual
Ten to twenty days per year depending on length of service with SCAG.

0-3 years: 80 hours
4-10 years: 120 hours
11-16 years: 140 hours
17+ years: 160 hours

Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per month.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Tax-exempt savings plans are offered to pay for eligible expenses associated with healthcare, dependent care, and parking.

Transit Reimbursement Program
SCAG reimburses up to $230 per month for commute to the office via public transit via bus, rail, or train. Employees must commute a minimum of 8 days per month in order to receive reimbursement for monthly passes.

Flexible Time/Modified Work Week/Telework
Employees may work a modified 9-80 work schedule, with every other Friday off. SCAG offers a flexible work schedule to allow employees some flexibility on daily work hours. SCAG has developed a hybrid workforce program called Work@SCAG to provide three work model options (office, hybrid, and remote) to choose from, based on their position, within the SCAG Region.

Technology Allowance
Employees in hybrid and remote work models will receive a one-time stipend of $300 to be used for remote office setup. In addition, all employees receive a $140 monthly technology allowance to cover phone usage for business use and to offset utilities costs while working remotely.

Other Benefits
Educational assistance up to $5,250 per year is offered for qualified courses after one year of employment. Professional membership reimbursement up to $300 per year for professional associations.

Probationary Period
All non-management employees are required to successfully complete a probationary period of 2080 hours prior to achieving regular employment status.

Closing Date/Time: 10/31/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Southern California Association of Governments

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