Associate Counsel

Salary Range:

Analyst/Supervisor

Min

$ 49,920.00

Mid

$ 62,400.00

Max

$ 74,880.00

Summary

Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (RRHA) Associate General Counsel to support the General Counsel in providing representation of RRHA as an institutional client. The incumbent will render legal opinions and offer legal advice to RRHA’s Board of Commissioners and its Chief Executive Officer, as well as its Department Directors and other employees, as directed. In this role, you will be responsible for conducting litigation, research, and other legal duties. Considerable initiative and independence are exercised in formulating and administering policies and procedures, under the general supervision of the General Counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

• Represents, advises, defends and counsels RRHA staff regarding legal matters, such as evictions, landlord/tenant problems, FOIA matters, personnel and employment matters, real estate transactions, grievances, tort and contract actions, civil litigation, policy development or other legal concerns.
• Evaluates, processes, and responds to requests made under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
• Represents RRHA in judicial and non-judicial proceedings arising under the federal Fair Housing Act, the Virginia Fair Housing Law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable fair housing laws.
• Researches and drafts pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents for litigation and related discovery. Develops arguments and presentations for trials, hearings, appellate hearings, and administrative proceedings.
• Represents RRHA in matters related to its low-income public housing (“LIPH”) and property management functions. Coordinates with the General Counsel to develop policies, procedures, and strategies for RRHA to approach LIPH and property management issues.
• Renders advice to responsible staff concerning all landlord-tenant laws applicable to RRHA’s business operations, including interpretation of RRHA’s Dwelling Lease and other governing instruments.
• Represents RRHA in judicial proceedings arising under RRHA’s LIPH Dwelling Lease, including, without limitation, actions for unlawful detainer and tenant’s assertions. Exercises reasonable discretion to prosecute, defend, dismiss, or settle such claims in accordance with RRHA goals and policies.
• Represents RRHA in formal and informal tenant grievance conferences or hearings, as provided in RRHA’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy.
• Represents RRHA in other matters as assigned, including, without limitation, public procurement matters, personnel and employment disputes, residential and commercial real estate transactions, corporate law issues, general civil litigation (including personal injury and contract claims), insurance matters, bankruptcy, and construction law.
• Manages the formulation and implementation of operational objectives and strategies for the legal department, under the direction of the General Counsel.
• Develops working relationships with other RRHA personnel and outside stakeholders to identify needs and establishes processes to resolve issues/problems.
• Coordinates use and work of external attorneys.
• Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures and ensures compliance with agency policies and procedures.
• Drafts and reviews legal documents and proceedings.
• As needed, represents the agency as a member of external and internal committees, commissions and task forces, including the public meetings of RRHA’s Board and its Committees.
• Formulates legal strategies; initiates, prepares and responds to lawsuits and discovery proceedings; explains matters of law and makes recommendations to clients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Job Knowledge:

• Shares new ideas and perspectives to adjust Authority strategies
• Recognizes situations and resources to create desired impact and maximize successful outcomes
• Contributes to shaping Authority practices and policies

Customer Service:

• Keeps abreast of the industry and related organizations, proactively identifies, and builds relationships that could lead to future organization opportunities
• Maintains knowledge about related organizations and leverages that knowledge to help the Authority
• Works with others to understand what matters most to clients and how to respond

Effective Communication:

• Communicates complex issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences
• Uses communication skills to resolve differences and arrive at the best course of action, when there are conflicting sources of information
• Communicates complex technical information in a business context

Initiative:

• Regularly evaluates the effectiveness of team-based improvements using predetermined measures and criteria
• Implements new methods, processes, tools, and/or techniques by helping to eliminate internal and external barriers
• Creates a work environment conducive to improving programs and services

Responsiveness and Accountability:

• Fosters a sense of urgency, ownership, and personal commitment in and across the department
• Is transparent about the department’s goals and provides staff with timely information on progress and outcomes
• Creates an environment where honesty, integrity, and personal accountability are rewarded

Teamwork:

• Creates an inclusive work environment by valuing the ideas and opinions of those inside and outside of the team
• Proactively shares information about recent decisions and future changes across departments
• Creates an environment where others are encouraged and rewarded for working across departments

Problem Solving and Analysis:

• Designs complex problem-solving tools and methods
• Identifies the impact of solutions on multiple areas within the organization
• Develops contingency measures and explores various problem-solving options

Program and Project Management:

• Oversees the general execution of programs and departmental/organizational projects and balances priorities based on broader Authority goals
• Manages risks across multiple projects by examining total resource requirements and assessing impact of projects on the day-to-day operations
• Modifies project approach and budget without compromising the quality of outcomes and the desired results

Strategic Capability and Leadership

• Identifies and develops the strategies needed to align the department with organizational goals
• Displays and contributes in-depth knowledge to strategic planning at the organizational level
• Defines performance measures to evaluate the success of organization’s strategy

Job Competencies

• Comprehensive knowledge of general law and Virginia local government law.
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state and city laws and regulations and their relationship to the functions of RRHA.
• Considerable knowledge of court operations, including the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of administration and supervision.
• Ability to organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex legal problems.
• Ability to conduct legal research and to prepare specifications for contracts and other legal documents.
• Ability to prepare legal documents, pleadings and motions for cases in litigation.
• Ability to conduct investigations of a fact-finding nature, study legal precedents, and prepare recommendations.
• Ability to formulate important recommendations or make technical decisions that have both legal and operational impact.
• Ability to modulate speaking and writing style to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, including housing assistance recipients, community activists, public and elected officials, and members of the press.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other employees, administrative officials, and the public.

Education and/or Experience

Education: Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

Experience: At least three years’ experience in the practice of law with a preference for experience in landlord-tenant matters, local government law, or general civil litigation. Extensive legal experience working with complex and difficult legal issues and evaluating information in controversial areas. Progressively responsible managerial experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicant must be lawfully admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and must, during all periods of employment, be an active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.
• Applicant must be admitted to practice in all courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Admission to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit preferable but not required.
• Applicant must possess and retain a valid motor vehicle operator's license. Note: Applicant must have and maintain a driving record acceptable to RRHA and its insurance carrier(s).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is routinely required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; reaching and grasping; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 10 pounds.

There will be times when the Senior Project Manager will have to drive and participate in off-site meetings.

There will be times when the Senior Project Manager will visit and walk vacant property sites and well as drive to construction sites to evaluate the progress on development.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Office environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

EEO Statement: RRHA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal. State or local laws.