General Counsel

THIS POSITION IS ON-SITE.  WE CURRENTLY DO NOT OFFER HYBRID OR REMOTE WORK.

POSITION CLOSES: 06/24/25

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Directs, plans, organizes, manages, and provides direction and oversight for all functions and activities of TARC’s General Counsel Department, including serving as a legal advisor providing legal counsel, advice, and analysis to the chairman of the Board, individual board members, the Executive Director and TARC Management Team; ensures that TARC operates within the law at all times; and offers counsel on legal issues including litigation and risk management strategies; manages a team of outside counsel. This position will support a safety and customer service culture through programs, procedures, and other related work to achieve TARC’s mission and strategic outcomes. The position is responsible for meeting or exceeding all TARC policies and procedures with strict adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations; and performing related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This position may evolve to include supervisory duties based on business needs and organizational growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides expert day-to-day legal advice to TARC management, the Executive Director, and the Board of Directors; advises on the legal considerations of a variety of issues and topics, such as government and regulatory compliance, especially with regard to Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations.
• Oversees the delivery of legal services and resources such as employee investigations, and grievances, (including engaging with outside legal counsel) to accomplish TARC’s goals, strategies, and priorities.
• Advises the organization on compliance with state and federal regulations affecting business operations.
• Participates in mediations and arbitrations with the Union and contract negotiations, as needed.
• Assist with managing and responding to Public Comments, Open Records Requests, Complaints received through the Ethics Tip Line and COMs.
• Reviews Board packets, including but not limited to Board Resolutions and Memorandums, and attends meetings to assist with speakers, read any public comments, and to provide legal advice as needed.
• Reviews Civil and Employment Litigation and attends and prepares for depositions.
• Provides legal support across the organization, including quickly and effectively identifying complex legal issues, researching new legal issues, and providing practical advice. 
• Works with outside counsel to develop case strategy as needed.
• Assist with developing standard template language to be used in contracts; and review any and all contracts before their final execution. 
• Provides supervisory responsibilities by monitoring department workload for efficiency, conducting annual reviews of staff performance, finding opportunities for and conducting training, addressing staff questions and concerns, developing individual goals and objectives for staff members, and interviewing and hiring staff.
• Directs the monitoring of and approves legal expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Monitors developments in legislation related to legal matters and evaluates their impact on TARC operations; recommends and implements policy and procedural improvements to meet legislative obligations.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in legal matters; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to TARC’s needs.
• Performs other job-related duties as requested.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Kentucky or Indiana Driver's License by the time of appointment and a satisfactory driving record.

Note: An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the above-stated minimums excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Maintain strong relationships with government agencies and outside counsel, as well as Union Leadership.
• Interpersonal and communication skills are essentials.
• A proactive, engaged legal professional who is prepared to directly manage legal work and collaborate with outside counsel or internal staff as needed.
• An understanding of Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville Metro government, and the FTA is a plus.

• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of legal programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Advanced principles and practices of civil, constitutional, contract, tort, property, employment, environmental, municipal, and administrative law.
• Advanced litigation and arbitration procedures and rules of evidence pertaining to state and federal court.
• Advanced principles and practices of personnel management including supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Sources of federal, state, and local funding used for organization programs; funding practices of federal, state, and local grant agencies.
• Principles, methods, and practices of legal research.
• Labor relations, contract interpretation, and negotiations as they apply to the organization.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Advanced public relations principles and concepts.
• Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of resources.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.
• Provide administrative, management, professional leadership, and direction for the assigned department. 
• Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal issues.
• Advise the organization’s Board of Directors and executive staff.
• Draft and review legal documents such as ordinances, resolutions, statutes, and contracts.
• Prepare and present cogent legal arguments at trials and hearings.
• State objective facts, law, and balanced legal arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form as input for management and the Board of Directors to consider in making business decisions.
• Select and supervise staff; develop and direct people as they work by providing training to ensure tasks are performed effectively; oversee and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Multi-task in a fast-paced environment and work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of organization goals.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of business, including employees, the Board of Directors, government entities, contractors, the community, and the general public.
• Effectively use computer systems, applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure to extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; must be able to see, hear and speak; and sit at a desk for long periods of time. Work may require some level of mobility including lifting or moving materials. Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or members of the public in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

This position requires a pre-employment screening. 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) COMPLIANCE

Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are not able to perform the essential duties of the job.

SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION: No