MANAGING SENIOR ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL (GENERAL MATTERS)

Job Description:

Summary

The primary purpose of the Managing Senior Associate General Counsel (General Matters)  is to enable the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to be responsive to the needs of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA); and to help facilitate workflow through both OGC and DCHA.

This position requires an in-depth understanding of the varied roles of all functions and programs of DCHA, existing federal and local laws, regulations and guidance; how potential risks should be anticipated and  evaluated ; and evaluation of potential risk impact of new,  revised or proposed policies,  regulations, contracts, or corporate documents impact  DCHA.

The position  will support DCHA contract and real estate portfolio,  as necessary and appropriate; and support the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel to provide legal advice and counsel to DCHA as it implements new policies, new roles for its affiliates and other innovative activities; and the development and implementation of a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management Program for the agency. 

This position will support  DCHA  as it  develops new policies under DCHA’s Move to Work (MTW) authority for review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and provide legal advice when new District regulations are appropriate.

All activities support DCHA's mission, strategic goals, and objectives and produce results that accomplish the goals of OGC.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The statements below describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Coordinate the drafting and review of new regulations implementing DCHA policies.  The District of Columbia’s Administrative Procedures Act requires that any policy of any District agency/instrumentality/authority that affects a member of the public must be codified as a regulation in the District of Columbia Code of Municipal Regulations.

• Drafts, examines and interprets Risk Management policies and procedures; provides legal advice and support for all issues relating to the operation of DCHA’s Risk Management Program, including loss prevention, compliance policy, property inspection, environmental and safety practices, and overall Enterprise Risk Management;
• Provides expert legal advice to the Office of the Executive Director in analysis of legislation before the District of Columbia  Council that impacts the DCHA, as well as advice on federal laws, regulations, and guidance on their potential impact on DCHA;
• Provides expert legal advice and support to DCHA as it develops new policies under DCHA’s MTW authority for review by HUD; and advise when new District regulations are appropriate;
• Responsibility for on-going review of Community Vision, Inc. to ensure compliance with federal and local requirements:  Community Vision, Inc. (“CVI”), a 501(c)(3) in good standing controlled by DCHA.  CVI can accept donations and donors can currently take deductions for these donations on their federal income tax statement; 
• Assists in the supervision and review of the work of junior attorneys and support staff who will support these functions within the Office of General Counsel;
• Provides support in the administration of the Office of General Counsel, working with General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on broader policy issues in the operation of OGC, and administrative tasks as needed, including but not limited to coordinating a training and development program for the new attorneys, staff, and interns; working cooperatively with the entire office on digitizing paper records and implementing the records management system; working cooperatively with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Management Analyst on the OGC budget and billing; and serving as the responsible party for time and attendance, petty cash, and the OGC vehicle;
• Coordinates outside counsel and provides legal review and compliance advice for complex mixed-use, mixed-income real estate projects financed with a wide range of public and private financing sources, including 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), tax exempt bond proceeds, Community Development Block Grant? (CDBG), private financing;
• Drafts, negotiates and interprets a wide range of contracts, corporate documents, and inter-District agreements;
• Works with outside counsel and DCHA staff to navigate pre-litigation, partial contract termination, and settlement agreement with construction contractor;

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

Knowledge  and extensive experience in the following areas:

• Legal practice management
• Risk management and quality assurance
• District of Columbia Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws, regulations and requirements
• Federal, state, and local housing and real estate development laws and regulations
• Key policies, procedures, functions, and staff in the Office of the General Counsel
• Real Estate, Contract, Landlord and Tenant, Civil Litigation, Employment/Labor, Corporate Law
• Creation of legal contracts, briefs, and all other legal documentation
• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• Excellent judgment and analytical skills

Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and at least seven (7) years’ related experience and/or training, or the equivalent combination of education and experience which meet the minimum qualifications requirement may be substituted.  Must be admitted to the bar and in good standing in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and/or verification of work history. 

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check.  Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook).  Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work is performed in the normal office setting; meeting, conference and, as appropriate, court rooms.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

The primary purpose of the Managing Senior Associate General Counsel (General Matters)  is to enable the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to be responsive to the needs of the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA); and to help facilitate workflow through both OGC and DCHA.

This position requires an in-depth understanding of the varied roles of all functions and programs of DCHA, existing federal and local laws, regulations and guidance; how potential risks should be anticipated and  evaluated ; and evaluation of potential risk impact of new,  revised or proposed policies,  regulations, contracts, or corporate documents impact  DCHA.

The position  will support DCHA contract and real estate portfolio,  as necessary and appropriate; and support the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel to provide legal advice and counsel to DCHA as it implements new policies, new roles for its affiliates and other innovative activities; and the development and implementation of a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management Program for the agency. 

This position will support  DCHA  as it  develops new policies under DCHA’s Move to Work (MTW) authority for review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and provide legal advice when new District regulations are appropriate.

All activities support DCHA's mission, strategic goals, and objectives and produce results that accomplish the goals of OGC.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The statements below describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Coordinate the drafting and review of new regulations implementing DCHA policies.  The District of Columbia’s Administrative Procedures Act requires that any policy of any District agency/instrumentality/authority that affects a member of the public must be codified as a regulation in the District of Columbia Code of Municipal Regulations.

• Drafts, examines and interprets Risk Management policies and procedures; provides legal advice and support for all issues relating to the operation of DCHA’s Risk Management Program, including loss prevention, compliance policy, property inspection, environmental and safety practices, and overall Enterprise Risk Management;
• Provides expert legal advice to the Office of the Executive Director in analysis of legislation before the District of Columbia  Council that impacts the DCHA, as well as advice on federal laws, regulations, and guidance on their potential impact on DCHA;
• Provides expert legal advice and support to DCHA as it develops new policies under DCHA’s MTW authority for review by HUD; and advise when new District regulations are appropriate;
• Responsibility for on-going review of Community Vision, Inc. to ensure compliance with federal and local requirements:  Community Vision, Inc. (“CVI”), a 501(c)(3) in good standing controlled by DCHA.  CVI can accept donations and donors can currently take deductions for these donations on their federal income tax statement; 
• Assists in the supervision and review of the work of junior attorneys and support staff who will support these functions within the Office of General Counsel;
• Provides support in the administration of the Office of General Counsel, working with General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on broader policy issues in the operation of OGC, and administrative tasks as needed, including but not limited to coordinating a training and development program for the new attorneys, staff, and interns; working cooperatively with the entire office on digitizing paper records and implementing the records management system; working cooperatively with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Management Analyst on the OGC budget and billing; and serving as the responsible party for time and attendance, petty cash, and the OGC vehicle;
• Coordinates outside counsel and provides legal review and compliance advice for complex mixed-use, mixed-income real estate projects financed with a wide range of public and private financing sources, including 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), tax exempt bond proceeds, Community Development Block Grant? (CDBG), private financing;
• Drafts, negotiates and interprets a wide range of contracts, corporate documents, and inter-District agreements;
• Works with outside counsel and DCHA staff to navigate pre-litigation, partial contract termination, and settlement agreement with construction contractor;

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

Knowledge  and extensive experience in the following areas:

• Legal practice management
• Risk management and quality assurance
• District of Columbia Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws, regulations and requirements
• Federal, state, and local housing and real estate development laws and regulations
• Key policies, procedures, functions, and staff in the Office of the General Counsel
• Real Estate, Contract, Landlord and Tenant, Civil Litigation, Employment/Labor, Corporate Law
• Creation of legal contracts, briefs, and all other legal documentation
• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• Excellent judgment and analytical skills

Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and at least seven (7) years’ related experience and/or training, or the equivalent combination of education and experience which meet the minimum qualifications requirement may be substituted.  Must be admitted to the bar and in good standing in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and/or verification of work history. 

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check.  Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook).  Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work is performed in the normal office setting; meeting, conference and, as appropriate, court rooms.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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