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  Job Announcement
Job line: 916-556-0297

CHIEF COUNSEL - Internal/External

Posting Date: March 31, 2014
Filing Deadline: May 2, 2014
Salary: Target Salary is $200,000
Location: Sacramento, CA

Brief Description

This is an outstanding opportunity for a visionary leader to play a key roll in one of California’s largest public transit districts. Sacramento Regional Transit District’s Chief Counsel helps shape our future through proven leadership, critical thinking, sound judgment, and ethical standards.

Our Mission

To promote and enhance regional mobility and serve the public by providing quality transit services and solutions that improve the overall quality of life in the Sacramento region.

Our Goals

Secure the financial means to deliver our services and programs; Provide total quality customer service; Create a “world class” regional transit system; Be a great place to work, attract and retain a qualified, talented and committed workforce; Conduct our business in a sound and ethical manner.

  
Essential Functions

The Position

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Counsel. The Chief Counsel is appointed by the RT Board of Directors and serves as the District’s chief legal officer, advising the Board and executive staff on a broad range of legal matters and managing the District’s nine-member legal department.

As a key member of the District’s Executive Management Team, the Chief Counsel:
Participates in the development and implementation of RT’s policies and strategies; Provides legal advice and recommendations on a broad array of complex matters related to: Day-to-day transit system operations; Government law, including open meeting, public records, and conflict-of-interest laws; Corporate governance, business, and public policies; Litigation matters (including government tort claims, administrative and regulatory matters, labor matters, and general litigation); Provides advice and parliamentary support at Board and committee meetings; Leads and manages the legal staff; Coordinates RT’s representation in litigation; Maintains a comprehensive knowledge of pertinent state and federal laws, regulations, decisions, and interpretations as they affect RT; Provides input into RT’s legislative program; Represents RT at state and national organizations.

Ideal Candidate Profile

RT is seeking a strategic and highly motivated legal professional with an enthusiasm for the organization’s commitment to public service. The Chief Counsel will be a seasoned advisor familiar with transportation law and focused on and advancing RT’s vision and mission. A strong presence is required to participate in and support successful, collaborative high-functioning teams at all levels of the organization. The ability to communicate and explain complex legal issues in a clear and understandable manner is essential. In addition, the successful candidate will have a passion for the organization’s commitment to innovation and excellent customer service.

  
Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Active membership in the California State Bar. At least 12 years of broad and extensive experience in the practice of civil law advising or representing public agencies. Prior supervisory or managerial experience directing the work of subordinate attorneys and support staff. At least three years of experience working in a legal capacity for a public agency is desirable, including some litigation-related experience. Experience with transit/transportation law and procurement/contract law is highly desirable, as well as experience in advising a public board.

Professional Competencies

Candidates should possess experience or strong indicators of success in several of the following:
• Be a respected legal management professional with a strong knowledge of public sector law or other relevant areas
• Leading and managing a professional staff, including attracting, motivation, developing, and retaining exceptional talent
• Advising a diverse governing board, CEO, and executive teams
• Familiarity with the laws and legal issues affecting public agencies and transit systems, including procurement, contracts, torts, real property, funding, civil rights, environmental, employment, labor, open meeting , public records, and conflict-of-interest laws
• Respect for the expertise of those within the group and within the broader organizational structure as well as external partners
• Effective performance in an open, transparent, public setting
• Models creative thinking and innovation
• Possess a track record of leading people in a high-functioning, complex organization
• Be a strategic, proactive, and trusted advisor to customers and stakeholders
• Play an integral role in managing risk
• Highly effective written and oral communication skills
• Self-confidence tempered by diplomacy, humility, grace, and good humor
• Unquestionable integrity

  
Filing

Compensation

Target salary for the position is $200,000; the salary is negotiable and will be dependent on the qualifications/experience of the successful candidate. Performance-based incentive compensation may be determined. Relocation assistance will be available.

Other benefits include:

• Full health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Agency-paid defined-benefit pension plan
• Vacation and sick leave
• Basic group life insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Transportation pass

Application Process and Recruitment Schedule

To be considered, please submit an RT application as well as cover letter and resume (reflecting years and months of positions held) no later than Friday, May 2, 2014 to:

Janelle Montoya, HR Administrator
Sacramento Regional Transit District
2810 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95816

Application packages will be reviewed in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure/job posting. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be given preliminary interviews. Background checks will be conducted on final candidates.

Inquiries may be directed to Janelle by email at: jmontoya@sacrt.com or by telephone at (916) 556-0290.

Applications, brochure/job posting and copies of the complete job description are available at 2810 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, or through our website at www.sacrt.com. Regional Transit will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment process to accommodate candidates with disabilities.

RT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EOE – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans.

Please click here for the Employment Application

  Sacramento Regional Transit District