Job description
Work Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Are you an experienced attorney that would love to work for an outstanding team with a critically important mission, including Everglades Restoration? The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern half of the state, covering 16 counties from Orlando to the Florida Keys and serving a population of 9 million residents. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts, created in 1949. The agency’s mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region’s water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders.
The General Counsel is accountable for the overall leadership and management of staff within the Office of Counsel. Provides legal counsel to the Executive Director, the Governing Board and the Executive Management Team. Serves as Chief Ethics Officer and consistently applies Florida's Sunshine Law.
Renders legal advice and counsel; advise staff in the interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations; advises the Governing Board and executive management on policy and legal issues raised by internal and external agency activities, new case law, statute changes, or political environment; leads the overall legal policy strategy and communicates with executive management to bring successful implementation of legal policy reviews and opinions. Assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring the District conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Recognized by attorneys and executive management as an expert, a leader both in the Office of Counsel as well as with internal/ external District relationships through accomplishments of enduring significance. Fosters the highest degree of expertise and professionalism handling legal issues facing the District. Demonstrates technical leadership to serve as a resource for staff within Office of Counsel.
Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the District. Presents complex cases, legal opinions, or program advice in a way that motivates and convinces the parties at issue to accept a position – presents legal options and ramifications. Determines the correct legal strategy for resolving the specific legal issue – applies a sound knowledge of the specific legal field and creatively adapts legal theories to the specific factual situation – focuses on developing ideas and having breadth of perspective. Works with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approves whether or not to pursue settlements of disputes where warranted.
Provides direction and guidance in the areas of individual and team planning, organization, leadership and control; performance review and salary administration; employment selection and separation; training and staff development; employee recognition; documentation of employee performance issues; daily problem resolution/decision making for subordinate staff; and budget management.
Develops Office of Counsel goals and objectives consistent with the District’s strategic plan; establishes priorities, standards and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinates and evaluates program activities.
Directs, organizes, and coordinates legal and administrative functions of the Office of Counsel. Assigns responsibilities to personnel and delegate sufficient authority to carry out such responsibilities. Selects, develops, and motivates legal staff to assure performance and continuity in effectively carrying out District objectives, policies, and programs set by District leadership. Structures and manages the District’s internal legal functions and staff. Coordinates provision of legal services to the agency for administrative hearings, non-litigation mediation, contract-related negotiations, and other types of meetings requiring legal services; prepare and oversee preparation of legal briefs, documents, reports, and responses.
Selection, retention, management, and evaluation of all outside counsel. Performs management analysis and planning to manage legal costs, increase efficiency, improve accountability, unify and simplify work processes, track cases and work progress, and enhance/ build customer satisfaction.
Recognizes and resolves legal ethical dilemmas – knows the nature and sources of ethical standards, the means by which legal ethical standards are enforced, and the processes for recognizing and resolving ethical dilemmas including ethical considerations that are raised in judicial opinions.
Participates in the development of the District’s strategic plan and goals and objectives developing policies, review guidelines, procedures, rules and regulations. Plans, develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates policies and procedures; assists in formulating, coordinating, and establishing new and revised policies and procedures. Assists in the accomplishment of objectives by advising Executive Management Team on legal alternatives for business decisions and by providing sound and timely legal services to meet the needs of the District.
Advises the agency on the production of records and information from the agency in response to Public Records Requests. Understands open government laws in Florida and operates accordingly. Interacts with Governing Board members, the general public, special groups, and all levels of internal organization within scope of responsibility and general District operations, objectives, and plans.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctorate and experience that demonstrates measurable career progression in discipline and leadership roles that can be applied to support the District's business plans and strategies. Typically, this includes ten (10) years of substantive and procedural legal experience, preferably in the public sector, and five (5) years managing a large group of attorneys representing various legal specialties, preferably as the GC or DGC of the organization. Prior experience with a federal or state agency preferred. Significant experience representing an organization to elected officials, all levels of government agencies, the public, and media organizations.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.
Occasional daily and overnight travel required.
The District provides a comprehensive compensation package, which includes group insurance benefits and participation in the Florida Retirement Plan, wellness programs, generous paid leave and holidays, education reimbursement, and employee discounts.
Are you an experienced attorney that would love to work for an outstanding team with a critically important mission, including Everglades Restoration? The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern half of the state, covering 16 counties from Orlando to the Florida Keys and serving a population of 9 million residents. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts, created in 1949. The agency’s mission is to safeguard and restore South Florida’s water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region’s water needs while connecting with the public and stakeholders.
The General Counsel is accountable for the overall leadership and management of staff within the Office of Counsel. Provides legal counsel to the Executive Director, the Governing Board and the Executive Management Team. Serves as Chief Ethics Officer and consistently applies Florida's Sunshine Law.
Renders legal advice and counsel; advise staff in the interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations; advises the Governing Board and executive management on policy and legal issues raised by internal and external agency activities, new case law, statute changes, or political environment; leads the overall legal policy strategy and communicates with executive management to bring successful implementation of legal policy reviews and opinions. Assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring the District conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Recognized by attorneys and executive management as an expert, a leader both in the Office of Counsel as well as with internal/ external District relationships through accomplishments of enduring significance. Fosters the highest degree of expertise and professionalism handling legal issues facing the District. Demonstrates technical leadership to serve as a resource for staff within Office of Counsel.
Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the District. Presents complex cases, legal opinions, or program advice in a way that motivates and convinces the parties at issue to accept a position – presents legal options and ramifications. Determines the correct legal strategy for resolving the specific legal issue – applies a sound knowledge of the specific legal field and creatively adapts legal theories to the specific factual situation – focuses on developing ideas and having breadth of perspective. Works with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic defense and approves whether or not to pursue settlements of disputes where warranted.
Provides direction and guidance in the areas of individual and team planning, organization, leadership and control; performance review and salary administration; employment selection and separation; training and staff development; employee recognition; documentation of employee performance issues; daily problem resolution/decision making for subordinate staff; and budget management.
Develops Office of Counsel goals and objectives consistent with the District’s strategic plan; establishes priorities, standards and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinates and evaluates program activities.
Directs, organizes, and coordinates legal and administrative functions of the Office of Counsel. Assigns responsibilities to personnel and delegate sufficient authority to carry out such responsibilities. Selects, develops, and motivates legal staff to assure performance and continuity in effectively carrying out District objectives, policies, and programs set by District leadership. Structures and manages the District’s internal legal functions and staff. Coordinates provision of legal services to the agency for administrative hearings, non-litigation mediation, contract-related negotiations, and other types of meetings requiring legal services; prepare and oversee preparation of legal briefs, documents, reports, and responses.
Selection, retention, management, and evaluation of all outside counsel. Performs management analysis and planning to manage legal costs, increase efficiency, improve accountability, unify and simplify work processes, track cases and work progress, and enhance/ build customer satisfaction.
Recognizes and resolves legal ethical dilemmas – knows the nature and sources of ethical standards, the means by which legal ethical standards are enforced, and the processes for recognizing and resolving ethical dilemmas including ethical considerations that are raised in judicial opinions.
Participates in the development of the District’s strategic plan and goals and objectives developing policies, review guidelines, procedures, rules and regulations. Plans, develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates policies and procedures; assists in formulating, coordinating, and establishing new and revised policies and procedures. Assists in the accomplishment of objectives by advising Executive Management Team on legal alternatives for business decisions and by providing sound and timely legal services to meet the needs of the District.
Advises the agency on the production of records and information from the agency in response to Public Records Requests. Understands open government laws in Florida and operates accordingly. Interacts with Governing Board members, the general public, special groups, and all levels of internal organization within scope of responsibility and general District operations, objectives, and plans.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Juris Doctorate and experience that demonstrates measurable career progression in discipline and leadership roles that can be applied to support the District's business plans and strategies. Typically, this includes ten (10) years of substantive and procedural legal experience, preferably in the public sector, and five (5) years managing a large group of attorneys representing various legal specialties, preferably as the GC or DGC of the organization. Prior experience with a federal or state agency preferred. Significant experience representing an organization to elected officials, all levels of government agencies, the public, and media organizations.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Must be an active member of the Florida Bar in good standing
- Possess a valid State of Florida Driver's License
Due to the District's response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.
Occasional daily and overnight travel required.
The District provides a comprehensive compensation package, which includes group insurance benefits and participation in the Florida Retirement Plan, wellness programs, generous paid leave and holidays, education reimbursement, and employee discounts.
Salary Midpoint:
$150,000.00
Organization
EO1401410 Office of Counsel
Salary Maximum
$170,000.00
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