Assistant Counsel

Georgia Department of Transportation; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Georgia Department of Transportation seeks an experienced attorney to provide comprehensive legal support across divisions. The role involves drafting and negotiating a broad range of contracts and agreements, conducting in-depth legal research, and advising on federal and state transportation matters.

Candidates must hold a Juris Doctorate and be licensed to practice in Georgia, with at least six years of relevant legal experience.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia.
• Six years of legal experience that includes contract negotiation and drafting.
• Advanced knowledge in at least one of contract negotiation and drafting, construction law, environmental law, property law, condemnation law, procurement law, employment law, the Georgia Open Records Act, or regulation interpretation and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience managing and resolving conflicts to minimize negative impact.
• Excellent communication skills with proven ability to present ideas clearly.
• Adaptability to change including new policies and procedures; self-motivated and proactive.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to all Divisions and Offices within the Department of Transportation.
• Draft, negotiate and review contracts, professional service agreements, consultant agreements, utility agreements, permits, intergovernmental agreements, IT agreements, and other agreements.
• Perform legal research and provide advisory opinions on federal and state transportation related issues.
• Coordinate with the Department of Law and outside counsel for cases prior to and during mediations, trials, and hearings.
• Review proposed legislation and compose draft legislation as necessary.

Skills

Legal research

Negotiation

Oral communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Job description

• · Provides legal support to all Divisions and Offices within the Department of Transportation
• · Responsible for handling a variety of complex legal projects.
• · Drafts, negotiates and reviews contracts, professional service agreements, consultant agreements, utility agreements, permits, intergovernmental agreements, IT agreements, property transactions etc.
• · Performs legal research and provides advisory opinions on federal and state transportation related issues.
• · Performs legal research and provides analysis and recommendations on contract matters, procurement, regulatory matters, EEO/human resources issues, construction matters, contract claims, property issues, litigation, etc.
• · Provides analysis and recommendations regarding legal, liability and/or risk-management issues.
• · Works closely in the preparation and coordination of cases with the Department of Law and/or outside counsel prior to and during mediations, trials, and administrative hearings.
• · Reviews proposed legislation and composes draft legislation as necessary.

NOTE: This position may be filled at the lower level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

STATE ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS:

• · Associate degree and managerial or supervisory role;
• · or one (1) year at the lower level Mgr 2, Transport Specialist (TRM031) or position equivalent.

AGENCY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• · Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia
• · Six years of legal experience that includes contract negotiation and drafting
• · Advanced knowledge related to at least one of the following areas: contract negotiation and drafting, construction law, environmental law, property law, condemnation law, procurement law, employment law, the Georgia Open Records Act, and/or regulation interpretation and compliance.
• · Demonstrated experience managing and resolving conflicts, confrontations and disagreements in a positive and constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact
• · Demonstrated excellent communication skills with demonstrated experience expressing ideas and facts to individuals or groups effectively
• · Makes clear and convincing oral presentations
• · Facilitates an open exchange of ideas
• · Demonstrated experience identifying and analyzing problems
• · Demonstrated experience using sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions
• · Demonstrated experience finding alternative solutions to complex problems
• · Demonstrated experience distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgments
• · Demonstrated experience to quickly adapt to change including new policies and procedures
• · Displays high level of self-motivation
• · Demonstrated ability to recognize opportunities to help the organization accomplish its objectives
• · Possess good time management skills
• · Committed to providing quality customer service

AGENCY PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• · Advanced knowledge of and experience related to two or more of the following areas: contract negotiation and drafting, construction law, environmental law, property law, condemnation law, procurement law, employment law, the Georgia Open Records Act, and/or regulation interpretation and compliance.
• · Demonstrated experience with the transportation industry or a federal, state or local government agency
• · Working knowledge of litigation in state and/or federal courts and/or in the Office of State Administrative Hearings, including trial preparation, trial experience, application of the rules of evidence and application and interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL GDOT JOBS

The interview is just one part of the overall selection process and is not the only criteria used to make the final selection. In addition to the interview, the final selection is based on the applicant’s work history and performance (documented in HR and/or Office files), PeopleSoft/employee status (i.e. rehire code), employee performance reviews, personnel file review (HR & Office Files), criminal background check, employment reference checks (including references and commendations from Managers and other relevant documentation) and, for supervisory positions, demonstrated leadership skills based on past and current work history will be considered.

Good Employment Standing:

In accordance with the Interview and Selection Process (ISP), an applicant must have no active disciplinary actions to be in good employment standing. Actions that may disqualify an applicant include letters of reprimand (active for 12 months after issuance date); suspension without pay or disciplinary demotion (active for 12 months from the effective date); Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) and Leave Restriction Plans (active until 12 months after the date of conclusion). In addition, an employee must have an overall ePerformance rating score of three (3) or higher on their most current evaluation. Please note that Memorandums of Concern are not considered disqualifying factors. Human Resources may remove any employee from consideration for selection who is pending a disciplinary action; however, if the action is resolved in the employee’s favor, he or she will be allowed to compete.

THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE

UPON PROMOTION, THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL RECEIVE 10% or THE GDOT JOB SPECIFIC MINIMUM SALARY, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER