General Counsel

Job Title: General Counsel    

Division: Administration  

Status: Regular, Full-time, Exempt    

Pay:  $94,000 - $104,000 (DOQ)

Reports to: Executive Director

Benefits: Full Benefits eligible including health insurance, flex benefits, 10 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave accrual, amenities and parking pass.
Retirement: State Employee Retirement System - GSEPS (Pension plus matching 401k)
Closing date:  4:00pm April 21, 2025   *Note: This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Only fully completed applications with required accompanying documents will be considered. 

 

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles, and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist.

 

Job Summary:
Under limited supervision, responsible for analysis and/or recommendations on leases, contracts, and legal issues within the scope and authority of Jekyll Island Authority (JIA).  Prepares contracts/leases in compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations and departmental guidelines.  Provides appropriate legal advice to the Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff.  Acts as liaison or representative between JIA and outside counsel, including Special Assistant Attorneys General and GA Department of Law. 

 

• Performs negotiations or provides advice in negotiations with potential lessees and vendors.
• Drafts legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and a variety of other legal instruments in compliance with laws, rules, and regulations; approves form and content of all legal documents. 
• Interprets contracts and leases to give legal advice concerning overall risk mitigation and implementation strategy, ensuring the continued success of the JIA as a self-sufficient enterprise operation.
• Ensures that proper support documentation is attached to all leases upon execution.  
• Continually works with the Executive Director or his designee to assign prioritization to pending legal matters, ensuring timely completion of internal clients’ workflow.
• Responsible for notification of defaults and liens on agreements of contracts.  Advises staff on appropriate methods and techniques for resolving contractual problems.
• Prepares, maintains, updates, and interprets the Code of Ordinances, By-laws, and relevant sections of the JIA Policy Manual; maintains index for Ordinances and Resolutions; and updates Municode web services. 
• Interprets laws, rulings, regulations, court decisions, and ordinances. 
• Provides leadership and routine work guidance and task prioritization to Lease Manager and Licensing Manager roles as direct reports.
• Gives legal interpretation and counsel to JIA in-house code enforcement and fire marshal when needed.  
• Manages outside litigation legal counsel; advises Executive Director on litigation; participates in the implementation of settlements, agreements, and/or legal judgments within approved guidelines; notifies appropriate state entities of potential new litigation. 
• Attends monthly JIA board meetings, frequently presents issues/matters to the Board of Directors. Advises Board during meetings on any legal or parliamentarian issues that may arise.
• Member of Executive Management team.  Advises and provides legal guidance to Executive Director and staff within appropriate scope.
• Works with DOAS on matters of liability risk and insurance.
• Collaborates with Human Resources on employment matters including policy reviews, investigations, terminations, etc.
• Liaise with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Serves as Ethics Officer, ensures employees are familiar with applicable ethics law and policies, reports directly to the Governor’s Executive Counsel.
• Updates staff on pertinent Executive Orders and legislation.
• Drafts internal Executive Orders for the JIA during instances of emergency operations.
• Responds to Georgia Open Records Act requests and coordinates with staff to collect proper data for a compliant response.
• Prosecutes ordinance violations in Magistrate Court as issued by JIA Code Enforcement and Fire Marshal.
• Performs assignments per direction of Executive Director.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Law degree from accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Georgia. Must be a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. 
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant legal experience, including real estate and contract law.  Experience providing advice in government, public and/or non-profit preferred. 
• Must have the ability to work with limited supervision and meet deadlines.  
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Ability to address multiple, unrelated projects efficiently and timely. 
• Must have proficient skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
• Valid driver’s license required

• Exert up to 35 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 
• More than 50% of the typical workday will be spent sitting, reaching, grasping and using repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and fingers. 
• Between 25 and 50% of the day is spent walking and climbing stairs. 
• Less than 25% of the day is spent crouching and/or stooping, kneeling, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting.
• Must have visual clarity to prepare and analyze data, use of computer and expansive reading.  
• Sensory Abilities required include vision, hearing, feeling and touching with more than 50% of the day talking and hearing. 
• Majority of the work will be performed within an indoor office environment. Typically work is not conducted in adverse environmental conditions. 
• Noise level is considered quiet to normal. 

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job. It is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time. 
 
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided. If the email confirmation is not received, the applicant may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation; however, due to the volume of applicants received, we cannot provide information on the application status after receipt. Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024. 
 
All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Only complete applications or applications with accompanying documents, when required, will be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background checks requires credit when applicable to the position. Relocation expenses are not authorized; applicants should consider this when applying.  
 
Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  The Jekyll Island Authority is a Drug Free workplace.