Assistant/ Senior Assistant Counsel
Assistant/ Senior Assistant Counsel
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Job Alert
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$ 161928 - 250640
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Job Description
The Office of the General Counsel at VTA is seeking to hire two experienced attorneys for the position of Assistant/Senior Assistant Counsel to provide legal services and support to the agency. These attorneys will play a critical role in advising the agency on complex legal matters either in the area of litigation or transactional law depending on the candidates qualifications and experience. The Assistant/Senior Assistant Counsel classification at VTA is a flexibly staffed position meaning appointments may be made at different levels within the classification series based on the selected candidates background and agency needs.
The Ideal Candidate:
The General Counsel will consider applicants with expertise in either of the following areas:
1. Litigation
Ideal candidates should have experience in areas such as:
- Personal injury defense
- Employment and labor relations
- Civil litigation
- Administrative law
Litigation duties include:
- Initiating and conducting comprehensive legal research analysis and crafting & preparing legal opinions briefs and pleadings.
- Representing VTA in litigation arbitration administrative hearings trials and appeals which may require in-person depositions court appearances and hearings/trials in the surrounding area.
2. Transactional
Ideal candidates should have experience in:
- Public works and procurement
- Construction and real estate law
- Public finance
- Contract negotiation and drafting
Transactional duties include:
- Advising VTA staff in public procurement construction contracts public finance and public law matters.
- Drafting review and negotiation of critical documents such as construction contracts public procurement contracts and public financing documents.
- Interpretating developing drafting and reviewing internalpolicies and procedures legislation contracts and other pertinent legal documents crucial to VTA operations.
The successful candidate will exhibit a high degree of discretion and independent judgment reflective of their specialized legal skills and experience. Proficiency in research and writing is essential to be effective in this dynamic legal environment.
What Youll Be Doing:
Assistant Counsel:
Salary Range:
Under general direction of the General Counsel or other counsel as designated by the General Counsel a Assistant Counsel represents VTA in a wide variety of legal matters and serves as primary or secondary counsel in routine to fairly complex cases/matters in the areas of labor contract civil and administrative law (including real property law); and performs tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This class is distinguished from the Senior Assistant Counsel in that the latter routinely works more independently handles highly complex matters and may serve as lead attorney. Assistant Counsel are typically responsible for less complex matters but are nevertheless required to obtain a degree of knowledge of legal processes and comprehension relative to the application of the law to enable him/her to handle without much assistance legal problems that normally occur in the public transportation law arena.
$13494.00 - $17541.33 Monthly
$161928.00 - $210496.00 Annually
Full job description: Assistant Counsel:
Under direction of the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel a Senior Assistant Counsel represents VTA in complex legal matters and serves as primary counsel in complex cases in the areas of labor contract civil and administrative law; and performs tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility and developed expertise.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This highly advanced working level class serves under direction of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel. This class is distinguished from the Deputy General Counsel in that the latter leads and supervises other attorneys in litigation and arbitration matters or in complicated business transactions. Incumbents in this class are required to demonstrate advanced comprehension and knowledge of the law related to public agencies and public transportation and how that law applies to the issues unique to the transportation industry and to public agencies.Incumbents in this class may also be responsible for the direction of lower level staff.
This is a non-represented at-will classification.
Salary Range:
$16068.00 - $20886.67 Monthly
$192816.00 - $250640.00 Annually
Full job description: VTAThe Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area VTA is Santa Clara Countys authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus) congestion management transportation-related funding highway design and construction real estate and transit-oriented development and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local state and federal partners VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable accessible community-focused transportation options that are innovative environmentally responsible and promote the vitality of our region.
VTA provides bus light rail and paratransit services as well asparticipatesas a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain Capitol Corridor and the Altamont Corridor Express.
VTA provides these services throughout the county including Campbell Cupertino Gilroy Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Gatos Milpitas Monte Sereno Morgan Hill Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa ClaraSaratogaand Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement ourVTA Forward Plan we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.For more information about our VTA Forward Plan visit: Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave lactation accommodation and work/family balance.
Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks
- Develops VTA defense and tries complex cases before state and federal trial and appellate courts and in labor arbitration hearings under collective bargaining agreements; coordinates litigation activities;
- Initiates claims and files lawsuits in appropriate forums to protect fundamental VTA interests;
- Plans organizes assigns reviews and monitors work related to complex litigation and arbitration matters including matters assigned to outside counsel; may provide guidance to other attorneys;
- Initiates researches analyzes and prepares legal opinions briefs and pleadings;
- Advises VTA staff in contract personnel labor relations and business matters;
- Interprets develops drafts and reviews VTA internal policies and procedures legislation contracts other legal documents and collective bargaining agreement language;
- Exercises discretion and independent judgment commensurate with specialized legal skills and experience;
- Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Assistant Counsel
Sufficient training education and public or private legal experience to demonstrate the required knowledge skills and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge skills and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to- A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and
- Three years of increasingly responsible experience in a public agency or private law firm.
- Membership in the California State Bar or membership in another state Bar with ability to become a member of the California State Bar within six months from date of hire is also required.
Senior Assistant Counsel
Sufficient training education and public or private legal experience to demonstrate the required knowledge skills and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge skills and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to:- Completion of a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and
- Five years of increasingly responsible experience in a public agency or private law firm.
- Membership in the California State Bar at the time of appointment is required.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge of:
State and federal court procedures;
Statutory and case law and regulations applicable to public agencies;
Legal principles practices and procedures relating to contract labor real property administrative environmental and construction matters particularly as applied to public agencies;
Methods and techniques of legal research;
Principles and practices of supervision.
Ability to:
Analyze complex legal issues and apply relevant legal principles and practices;
Prepare and present legal information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing; make effective and persuasive legal arguments;
Evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations;
Exercise initiative and independent judgment;
Analyze complex legal issues and apply relevant legal principles and practices;
Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with VTA personnel colleagues opponents and other business contacts.
Working Environment/Conditions and Physical Demands
Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Good Conditions
Primarily Sedentary Work
Work Locations:
Office or similar indoor environment Frequently
Exposures:
Minimal exposure to environmental factorsGeneral Application Instructions
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered applications must besubmittedonlinethrough the Human Resources departmentby the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as continuous we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application issubmitted you will receive an immediate email confirmation.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications resumes Job Interest Notification Cards or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information
All updatesregardingyour applicationincluding notices for testing and interviewswill be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication andmaintaina valid up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support contact NEOGOV at Monday through Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM (PST) excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing
Allcurrent and prior relevant work experienceincluding experience with VTAmust be fully detailedin the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as see resume are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume it doesnot substitutefor completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.
Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process todeterminewhether candidates meet theminimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications experience education or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA
TentativeExaminations:
Oral Panel:Mid/End of September
Conditions of Employment
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background checkreference checks verification of education or certifications and a criminal history review before appointment.
Eligibility List
The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies andadditionalvacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typicallyremainin effect for six (6) months. However Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation please contact the Human Resources Department at or emailat least five business days before the test.
Equal Employment Opportunity
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employeeson the basis ofage ancestry color marital status mental or physical disability genetic information national origin immigration status political affiliation race religion creed sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation pregnancy medical condition disabled veteran or veteran status etc.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
