Corporation Counsel

Portland Water District; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A local water authority in Portland seeks an in-house attorney to provide legal advice to management and the Board. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with laws, drafting legal documents, and representing the authority in legal matters. Ideal candidates will have a law degree, experience in municipal and environmental law, and strong communication skills. The role requires proactive legal problem-solving and relationship building within the organization and the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of legal experience.
• Working knowledge of municipal, land use, environmental, real estate, and labor law.
• Valid State of Maine Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to General Manager, Senior Leadership, and Board.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with Federal and State laws.
• Draft contracts and legal documents for PWD.

Skills

Legal advice

Strong written and oral communication skills

Ability to identify legal problems

Relationship building

Knowledge of municipal and environmental law

Education

Graduation from an accredited law school

Member of good standing of the Maine Bar

Job description

Purpose/Customer Impact

Serves as an in-house attorney who provides sound legal advice to the General Manager, Senior Leadership and the Board of Trustees of Portland Water District (PWD) while representing the interests of PWD on a wide variety of issues.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Direct Reports: Executive Administrative Specialist

Interrelationships: Regular contact with employees, management, the Board of Trustees, representatives of local municipalities, State officials and attorneys, and the general public.

Independent Action: High degree of self-directed action to anticipate, research and advise on sound legal options to existing and anticipated issues. Serves as an educator to the management team. Assumes responsibility for projects and exercises independent professional judgment in carrying out assigned work.

Job Duties

• Interpret and ensure PWD’s compliance with applicable Federal and State laws, municipal ordinances, and contracts.
• Provides legal advice to the Board of Trustees, and PWD management and staff
• Identifies legal problems quickly and knows where to find solutions. Takes a proactive approach to the practice of law that focuses on identifying and preventing potential problems before they develop.
• Drafts resolutions, charter amendments, deeds, contracts and other legal documents to which PWD is a party. Reviews for form and legal sufficiency documents of a legal nature not prepared by the attorney.
• Assists senior management on labor matters. The district retains separate counsel to act as primary labor counsel.
• Participates in PWD’s Internal Review Team related to asset management and manages the appeals process for the Board of Trustees.
• Drafts contracts and assists the Finance Department with procurement issues
• Represents PWD in legal and regulatory proceedings, including arbitrations, administrative or legislative hearings. May also represent PWD in disciplinary matters and grievances.
• Takes the lead in legislative matters which may impact PWD, including overseeing lobbyist activities and working with water, wastewater and municipal associations to take positions to protect the PWD’s interests.
• Keeps informed about new local ordinances and state and federal laws and judicial decisions affecting PWD.
• Builds strong and effective relationships.
• Attends external meetings as needed.
• Coordinates work assignments and relationships with outside legal counsel as needed on matters.
• Handles and manages the liability claims process and keeps the General Manager informed of claims.
• Acts as PWD’s representative for real estate transactions and works with PWD’s Right of Way agent in drafting real estate related documents
• Acts as the Clerk of PWD.
• Manages Trustee packages and Board meeting agendas in conjunction with the General Manager.
• Serves as PWD’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) Officer
• Manages relationships with outside counsel as needed.

Physical Requirements

Extended keyboard usage, sitting, telephone usage, bending, twisting, clear verbal and written communications, reaching, driving, and visual accuracy, lifting (maximum 25 lbs.).

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a satisfactory academic record; member of good standing of the Maine Bar and a member or eligible for membership in the Federal Bar.
• Absence of conflicts of interest.
• A minimum of five (5) years of legal experience, must have a working knowledge of many facets of law that will be encountered.Experience in the following areas of the law are preferred: municipal, land use, environmental, real estate, governance, government, labor, utility law and contracts.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills. Ability to write effective letters, proposals, contracts and other legal documents. Makes clear, understandable presentations in group settings, and can make strong arguments on points of law.
• The demonstrated ability to prevent personal views on an issue from influencing legal advice.
• Good personal relation skills in order to develop a positive working relationship with all contacts.
• Possess and maintain a valid State of Maine Driver’s License, with a satisfactory driving record.

Please apply online with cover letter, resume and salary requirements.