Assistant Corporation Counsel

Green County; Monroe (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Green County seeks a full-time lawyer to advise and represent the County under the supervision of the Corporation Counsel. The role covers Human Services, Zoning, labor and personnel matters, and general civil representation of the County and its officers.

Requirements include a JD from an accredited law school, Wisconsin bar admission, and strong research and communication abilities. Evening/weekend availability may be required at times; valid driver’s license is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Desirable litigation experience including trials and appellate work
• Knowledge of civil procedure, evidence rules, municipal law, real estate law, and land use
• Familiarity with alternative dispute resolution is a plus
• Basic computer skills including common office software

Responsibilities

• Advise and represent the Human Services Department in trials and hearings.
• Represent the Zoning Department in appeals and advise the Board of Adjustment on bylaws and variances.
• Handle matters related to FMLA, FLSA, and public records/open meetings law.
• Represent the County in labor law and personnel matters including ERD, DWD, and EEO issues.
• Provide legal advice to the County Board, officers, and departments.
• Draft and review contracts, resolutions, and ordinances; oversee code enforcement and collections.

Skills

Legal research

Written & verbal communication

Explain legal issues

Interpersonal skills

Diplomacy

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Word processors

Spreadsheets

Database programs

Presentation software

Job description

SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Corporation Counsel, this full-time position assists in advising and representing the County. Reports to, is accountable to, and performs related duties as assigned by the Corporation Counsel.

ESSENSTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

including the following:

• Primarily responsible for all legal matters relating to the Human Services Department, including but not limited to representation of the Human Services Department in trials and hearings pertaining to: civil (mental and AODA related) commitments, guardianship and protective placement cases under Ch. 51, 54 and 55 Wis. Stats., restraining orders under Ch. 813 Wis. Stats., voluntary termination of parental rights and child abuse substantiation appeals.
• Primarily responsible for all legal matters relating to county zoning, the Zoning Department and Board of Adjustment, including but not limited to representation of the Zoning Department in appeals and provide assistance to the Board of Adjustment regarding bylaws, appeals, conditional use permits and variances.
• Primarily responsible for advice and legal matters relating to the Family Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and the Wisconsin Public Records and Open Meetings Law.
• Primarily responsible for all legal matters regarding animals under Ch. 172-174 Wis. Stats. Including representing the Sheriff's Department in any related court actions.
• Responsible for representation of the County in labor law and personnel related matters, including matters before the Employment Relations Commission (i.e., grievance and interest arbitration) Worker's Compensation Division, Unemployment Compensation Division, and Equal Rights division.
• Aid the Corporation Counsel in the performance of duties of Corporation Counsel.
• Provide legal representation of the County in civil matters including providing legal advice and representation to the County Board and its subunits, county officers, and county departments.
• Perform legal research and writing as needed.
• Draft and review contracts.
• Draft resolutions and ordinances.
• Oversee code enforcement and collections.
• Attend meetings necessary and pertaining to the position.
• Timely and competently handle matters assigned from start to finish.
• Monitor and keep up with developments in the law and advise the County accordingly.
• Establish and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with county officials, employees and the public.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends on short notice.
• Such duties and responsibilities as assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• And a juris doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Litigation experience such as court trials, jury trials, and administrative proceedings is desirable. Appellate experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of civil procedure, rules of evidence, municipal law, real estate law, parliamentary procedure, child support matters, public sector labor/employment matters, and land use and planning are desirable.
• Familiarity with alternative dispute resolution processes a plus.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use common application programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, database programs, and presentation software.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Duly admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and hold a valid State Bar membership.
• Valid driver's license.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to conduct legal research; prepare materials for use in court and administrative proceedings; and to evaluate, summarize and report results of research.
• Ability to explain legal issues and be able to recommend prudent courses of action in plain English that is easily understandable.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work with people.
• Able to diplomatically handle potentially explosive situations.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, and percentages.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to timely handle complex projects with a minimum of direct supervision. This includes the capacity to work well under pressure and ability to complete quality work within tight deadlines.
• Have high integrity, a high degree of common sense, possess well-honed problem analysis skills, and be decisive in making sound judgments and decisions.
• Ability to take direction and constructive criticism.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The position typically works in an office environment where the noise level is usually minimal.

Green County is an equal opportunity employer.