Chief Deputy County Attorney-DSS

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Guilford County, North Carolina is seeking an experienced and strategic legal professional to serve as a Chief Deputy County Attorney. This senior leadership role provides legal counsel and representation to department directors and citizens boards across a broad spectrum of legal matters affecting county government.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Reporting directly to the County Attorney, the Chief Deputy County Attorney assists in managing the operations of the County Attorney’s Office, supervises attorneys, and serves as acting County Attorney in their absence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides legal representation for DSS interests in all State and Federal Courts and administrative bodies as required. Provide information and legal opinions orally or in writing, including legal memorandums, office advice, consultation and advice in the field during developing situations.
• Deliver presentations and trainings on child welfare legal and public policy issues, including implementation.
• Advise county officials and departments on legal issues including public governance, contracts, employment, real estate, finance, public health, and social services.
• Reviews and apprises the progress of cases being pursued by Assistants and Deputy County Attorneys.
• Follows progress of cases through staff reports and meetings.
• Provide leadership and supervision to a team of attorneys and legal professionals.
• Draft and review complex legal documents including ordinances, policies, contracts, interlocal agreements, and resolutions.
• Represent the County in litigation, administrative proceedings, and negotiations.
• Ensure legal compliance with federal and state laws, including the North Carolina General Statutes including but not limited to Chapters 153A, 159, 160D, 122C, and 7B, public records and open meetings laws, and other applicable regulations.
• Develop training materials and conduct legal training for county staff and county boards.
• Assist in managing office caseload, budgetary planning, and performance initiatives.
• Serve as a legal liaison to outside counsel and coordinate representation in complex matters as needed.
• Provide information and legal opinions orally or in writing, including legal memorandums, office advice, consultation and advice in the field during developing situations.
• Represent the County in administrative proceedings before administrative agencies.
• Provide general legal advice and counsel to County Departments and Board of Commissioners as required by the County Attorney including attendance at Board of Commissioner meetings as necessary.
• Serve in supervisory capacity to the County Attorney Staff including general office management and work delegation as required by the County Attorney.
  
  

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of civil substantive law and civil procedure, including NC statutory law and significant civil case law from the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeal, and N.C. appellate court.
• Thorough knowledge of the operations, functions, directives and procedures of multiple county departments.
• Knowledge of N.C. and federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the drafting of pleadings, briefs, policies, directives, and guidelines based on such analysis.
• Knowledge of local government laws, open meetings laws and public records laws, purchasing, property, property tax assessment, budget and financial procedures and employment law matters.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departmental and county employees, personnel of the courts, outside agencies, press and elected officials.
• Ability to analyze complex factual situations and to select and apply the appropriate statutory law or case law and to prepare clear and unambiguous written pleadings, briefs, policies, directives and guidelines based on such analysis.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Ability to supervise and manage other’s work.
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited law school with a minimum of seven years of experience as an attorney in local government or closely related field; must be licensed to practice law before the courts of North Carolina, including the U.S. District Court for Middle District of N.C.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in North Carolina public law, including local government finance, land use, public employment, and human services.
• Experience advising boards and senior public officials.
• Familiarity with quasi-judicial proceedings, procurement law, and governmental immunity principles.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  
  

Special Requirements

Licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina. May Require Driving

This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy.

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.