Senior Attorney II

Buncombe County is hiring for a senior attorney who can work collaboratively, kindly and informatively with employees across our 30 departments. This individual will report to the County Attorney. The primary duties of the Senior Attorney are to provide legal advice, legal representation in federal and state courts and various administrative bodies and draft and review contracts for the various county departments.  The Senior Attorney will be expected to work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with an hour lunch.  A flexible schedule and the ability to work from home are available depending on the need. The Senior Attorney will work in the Legal and Risk Department that consists of a team of three attorneys, a risk manager, risk analysist, compliance officer and paralegal.  Buncombe County offers great benefits including an 8 percent 401K contribution without a match requirement and participates in the North Carolina Local Government Employee Retirement System (LGERS).

Purpose of the position:

This position provides executive level legal advice, consultation, and research to the County serving as a subject matter expert in a variety of legal areas that typically pertain to North Carolina local governments and public bodies.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):  Juris Doctor Degree, and Seven (7) years of experience in the practice of law, including work for local government; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: North Carolina State Bar License; Valid NC Driver’s License

Essential Functions of the position:

• Provide County officials and departments with legal counsel to include research of issues presented and provision of legal opinions through oral and written response.
• Evaluate complex legal issues; advise appropriate County personnel on recommended or required course of action; issue legal opinions on behalf of the County; assist County staff and departments with legal inquiries or problems.
• Defend administration actions against the County by preparation of written County response.
• Represent the County in Federal and North Carolina Courts and administrative hearings. 
• Draft and interpret complex legal documents including opinions, briefs, contracts, reports, correspondence, and other legal and non-legal documents.
• Conduct a review of County policies and ordinances considered for adoption or amendment to determine whether they are consistent with applicable law, identify and address legal risks, and improve legal defensibility.
• Assist with County risk management activities.
• Attend meetings of boards, commissions or other committees to give legal advice.
• Interpret County ordinances for implementation by Senior Staff, assist with enforcement of County ordinances.
• Supervises and participates in litigation matters brought against the County or filed on behalf of the County.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of NC General Statutes, federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures regarding county government.
• Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, judicial procedure, and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of County organization, departments and functions.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the field of governmental law.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• Skills in statutory interpretation and legal research analyses and writing.
• Ability to analyze legal aspects of governmental problems and to provide sound advice and assistance as needed.
• Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
• Ability to present facts, law, and arguments clearly, logically, and persuasively.
• Ability to draft ordinances, regulations, policies, rules, opinions and orders.
• Ability to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the County.
• Ability to direct and evaluate the work assigned personnel.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.