Supervisory Attorney Advisor

This position is in the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The General Counsel serves as the agency’s chief legal advisor, providing strategic and operational legal guidance on all matters affecting the agency’s programs and operations. Key practice areas include unemployment insurance law and policy, grants and federal funding compliance, First Source Law implementation and enforcement, wage and hour regulation, Labor and employment law, occupational safety and health, contracts and procurement, privacy and data sharing, and administrative law.

DOES administers programs and policies that strengthen the District’s workforce, including the District’s Unemployment Insurance program, workers’ compensation system, and First Source program. The agency partners with the U.S. Department of Labor, other federal agencies, the DC Council, and local employers to ensure compliance with federal and District statutes while promoting equitable workforce development opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

As the General Counsel of DOES you will serve as the principal legal advisor to the Director of DOES and the executive leadership team on all legal, policy, and strategic issues. Lead and manage the Office of the General Counsel; supervise staff attorneys, legal assistants, and interns. Provide authoritative legal counsel on unemployment insurance law and policy, including eligibility determinations, benefits administration, appeals, and compliance with U.S. Department of Labor requirements. Oversee legal strategy and litigation in unemployment insurance matters, First Source Law enforcement, wage and hour cases, and other agency programs, coordinating with the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General. Direct the development, review, and negotiation of federal and local grants, including ensuring compliance with federal cost principles, Uniform Guidance, and District procurement regulations.

Draft and review proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and rulemakings related to First Source Law, unemployment insurance, workforce development, and Labor standards to support the agency’s strategic initiatives. Provide counsel on the intersection of local and federal workforce policy, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and related federal Labor statutes. Advise on the legal sufficiency of contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other legal instruments. Provide timely and strategic guidance on high-profile or time-sensitive legal and policy issues, including interactions with the Mayor, the Council of the District of Columbia, federal agencies, the media, and key stakeholders. Advise on Labor-management relations, personnel matters, and employee discipline affecting agency staff. Ensure compliance with ethics, privacy, and government transparency requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

Must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment.

At least six (6) years of post J.D. professional legal experience, including experience providing legal advice to senior executives or government officials, managing or supervising a legal team, and leading complex legal operations.

Substantive expertise in unemployment insurance law and regulations is highly desirable.

Experience in grants management and federal funding compliance preferred.

Knowledge of First Source Law or similar local hiring statutes, and familiarity with federal and District workforce development policies, is strongly preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days 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. If eligible for waiver, incumbent must submit an application for admission prior to commencing employment and successfully obtain admission to the D.C. Bar within 360 days of commencing employment.

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is normally performed in an office environment. Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to visit various locations within and outside the District of Columbia.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: Varies

Duration of Appointment: This is a Senior Executive Attorney Service (LX) Appointment.

Promotion Potential: No known promotional potential

Plan, Series, Grade: LX-0905-02

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under collective bargaining agreement.

Position Designation: In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Suitability, this position has been deemed security-sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, and drug screenings, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

Emergency Designation: This position has been designated as “emergency”; incumbent must adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding Emergency/Essential employees. As an emergency employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).

Residency Requirement: This position is a Senior Executive Service Attorney Service position. If selected, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.