Description
The Staff Attorney reports directly to the Managing Counsel. The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing legal support to all departments within the agency on issues such as operations, fees, planning, and managing regulatory compliance for all SWACO facilities, and also provides statutory interpretation, contract analysis and review, negotiation support, enforcement and settlement assessment, litigation oversight, policy initiatives, and support and counsel for the preparation, interpretation, and implementation of the Solid Waste Management Plan.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:
o Understand and apply Ohio local government law, including laws directly applicable to solid waste districts;
o Understand and apply environmental laws, rules, and regulations;
o Prepare and assist in the negotiation of contracts; provide representation to SWACO on contract-related legal issues;
o Develop, interpret, and implement policies, procedures, and resolutions for SWACO departments; provide the appropriate legal interpretation on rules and laws that govern the conduct of public employees and officials;
o Respond to inquiries from employees, managers, and the public;
o Provide support to Managing Counsel on litigation and administrative matters; evaluate and make recommendations regarding disposition of litigation and claims;
o Provide support to outside legal counsel;
o Prepare legal opinions; participate in the preparation of litigation briefs, memoranda, and pleadings;
o Research, analyze, and disseminate legal decisions to departments in appropriate areas such as civil decisions and administrative, environmental, and employment law;
o Provide advice on legal issues as they arise within SWACO and develop solutions;
o Engage in the practice of preventive law by interpretation, projection, and application of legal trends and provide advice thereon;
o Attend public meetings, as necessary, and
o Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
o None
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
o Juris Doctorate (J.D.);
o Admission to, and member in good standing of, the State of Ohio Bar, and
o Three to five years of experience in local government and environmental law.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
o State statutes relating to local government affairs and solid waste management;
o Laws relating to the purchase of goods and services, contracting, labor, employment, land use, and the environment;
o Modern policies and practices in municipal and local government law and public administration;
o Handle highly sensitive confidential matters; dissemination of confidential information requires judgment and extensive knowledge of policies and procedures and state/federal law;
o Landfill operations, recycling technologies and practices, waste reduction and diversion techniques, and the transfer of solid waste;
o Ability to read, analyze, and interpret very complex documents;
o Ability to respond effectively to very sensitive inquiries or complaints;
o Make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and the Boards of Trustees of SWACO;
o Prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents;
o Carry out assigned projects to completion;
o Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
o Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, SWACO officials, the court system, and the general public;
o Utilize a computer for word processing and other tasks;
o Prepare briefs and other legal documents;
o Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that promotes good relationships with customers, clients, coworkers, and management;
o Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the ability to work with persons of diverse backgrounds
o Valid Ohio Driver’s License, and
o License to practice law in Ohio’s courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.
