Chief Legal Officer

The Chief Legal Officer is a key member of BREC's senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Superintendent. This Chief Legal Officer has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the management, direction and coordination of all legal matters and will oversee Finance, Human Resources, Internal Audits, Risk Management and ADA Compliance. The Chief Legal Officer will oversee and manage the provision of all legal services of BREC to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and to maintain its operations within the limits prescribed by law. Provides strategic guidance, consultation, and support to department directors and other members of upper management on a comprehensive range of legal and associated issues involved in carrying out the mission of BREC. The incumbent in this position must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements and Job Specifications

Education Required: Juris Doctorate degree from American Bar Association accredited law school; Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, or Business Management, or Public Administration or any closely related field with major course work in finance, human resources, risk management or comparable work experience preferred.

Licensing and Certification(s) Required: Active membership in the State Bar of Louisiana or member in good standing of the State Bar of another state or District of Columbia. Valid Driver's License in good standing is required Must be able to obtain a Louisiana driver's license within 60 days of hire.

Years Relevant Work Experience Required: Minimum eight years of extensive senior level legal experience working with governmental entities as a legal advisor or legal counsel or similar role or any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Extensive knowledge of relevant local government, state and federal laws and regulations, policies and procedures applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.

Extensive experience in public sector administration and legal compliance.

Knowledge of park and recreation issues, trends, concepts and principles of public administration to include personnel management, worker's compensation, general liability, contracting and procurement, and public relations, open meetings, public bid law, and maintenance of public records.

Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques

Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing business operations such as finance, human resources, internal audits, and risk management.

Demonstrated ability to effectively hire, train and lead a high performing team.

Strong understanding of current developments and legal issues in both the public administration and organization development fields of municipal government.

Knowledge of and experience in principles and practices of internal customer service and administration.

Knowledge of and experience in principles, practices and methods of municipal budget development and management, governmental accounting, financial control and reporting.

Knowledge of the importance of involving the community, commissioners, and staff in a collaborative process for decision planning in the development of present and future strategic plans and initiatives.

Knowledge of effective office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and ERP systems.

Strong leadership skills with exceptional oral and written communication skills, long range planning skills and working knowledge of public administration.

A highly motivated, visionary leader with the proven ability to gain cooperation and communicate clear direction.

Professional with strong moral and ethical principles

Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the Recreation and Park Commission Mission

Flexible and able to multitask; can work within a fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems

Excellent people skills, with an ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team

Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives; anticipate and reduce and prevent legal issues and risk

Ability to negotiate, prepare and review the sufficiency of contracts, leases, insurance and claims.

Ability to represent BREC in administrative hearings under the guidance of legal counsel as necessary.

Ability to meet and deal effectively with departmental personnel, governing bodies, businesses, outside agencies, and the public.

Ability to exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential issues and situations.

Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports, law memoranda, correspondence, presentations, etc.

Ability to analyze statutes, ordinances, case law and legislation, including proposed state and federal legislation affecting BREC operations.

Functions and Duties

Essential Functions and Duties:

Provides legal counsel and guidance to the Superintendent, executive staff, and other upper management on all legal matters relevant to the administration and operations of BREC including personnel or employment law, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations and law pertaining to the general public, public bid and procurement laws, public record and open meetings laws, general liability and insurance matters, worker's compensation, contracts and grants and other laws and regulations.

Anticipates and identifies legal issues and counsels the Superintendent, executive staff, and other upper management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of great political, public relations, or financial risk or significance, and with limited times for assessing alternatives.

Provides overall oversight and management of business functions for Finance, Human Resources, Internal Audit, Risk Management, and ADA Compliance.

Oversees the development of the annual operating budget; reviews department budget requests for inclusion in the Superintendent's recommendation to the Commission.

Oversees lawsuits, completes and submits all legal paperwork on behalf of the agency.

Assists in the oversight and management of all functions of Finance to include budget development, payroll, inventory control, ensuring the agency engages in cost effective purchasing procedures and is in compliance with Louisiana Public Bid Laws governing public procurement; assist in the development of bids, request for proposals and request for quotations; review specifications, draft contract terms and supplemental conditions; support all agency departments in procurement related matters.

Assists in the oversight and management of all personnel matters including recruitment, selection, training and development, performance evaluations, salary administration, employee relations, motivation, counseling, disciplinary, job design, resource allocation and other matters in accordance with best practices, agency policies and procedures, and state and federal laws and regulations.

Assists the Superintendent with strategic and long-range planning for the agency; participates in planning efforts at the local and regional level; keeps the Superintendent apprised of developments at the state and federal level that impact the agency; monitors pending legislation for impact on the agency; oversees compliance with new legislation.

Assists in the oversight and management of the agency's risk, internal audits, and compliance as it relates to Americans Disability Act (ADA) for building design and construction, programs and services for employees and the public comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including procedural requirements agency-wide

Provides oversight of all contract negotiations, professional contractors and consultants as needed; assists departments with resolution of issues requiring the attention of the Superintendent;

Ensures all BREC contracts protect the agency from anticipated and unforeseen risks

Developing and leading legal strategy to promote and protect the agency's matters

Developing and leading internal audit and ADA compliance programs

Proactively look for solutions and better practices to mitigate risk.

Performs complex assignments under the general supervision of the Superintendent.

Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues

Participate in the formulation of general management policy as a member of the executive management team; plan and implement internal policies and procedures

Serves as lead negotiator representing the agency's position; conducts costing analysis in preparation for contract negotiations; drafts responses to grievances in consultation with Superintendent.

Represents BREC in court and participate in hearings, and other proceedings; making arguments; drafting applications, briefs, rulemaking comments, legal memoranda, and discovery requests and responses; supervising the preparation of the testimony and exhibits of witnesses, including resource reports; and participating in worker's compensation settlements and other negotiations.

Maintaining proper interactions with the relevant local, state and federal governmental bodies, legislatures and the community at large

As necessary and appropriate, provides support to outside counsel providing similar services.

Manages and serves as BREC's primary contact with outside counsel regarding legal services provided and billing for such services.

Promotes and maintains a professional and positive working relationship with the local, state and the federal regulatory agencies, as well as their respective staff representatives, while strongly representing BREC's best interests. In addition, promoting and maintaining professional and positive working relationships with both private and public sections affiliates.

Stays informed of regulatory and legislative activity that may have an impact on the present and future operations of BREC and its employees

Reviews, comments and, when necessary and upon proper authorization, intervenes on BREC's behalf with regard to any proposed legislation that may potentially impact BREC's present and future operations.

Ensures all communications are consistent with business unit and/or organizational directives.

Facilitates problem solving at all levels in the organization; works with department heads and senior management to ensure effective coordination and cooperation among departments; coordinates the continuous review of interdepartmental processes for quality control and improvement; responds to inquiries from the public regarding issues unresolved at the departmental level.

Facilitates the administrative operations of the agency in accordance with agency policies and regulations, City Parish Ordinances, and all state and federal laws.

Supervises and participates in the hiring, training, performance evaluations, and discipline of senior management personnel; establishes policies and procedures for all agency functions; oversees and participates in the resolution of inquiries and complaints from the public and other organizations.

Attends all meetings of the Commission; responds to inquiries and provides Commissioners with information on the status of agency operations and projects; provides analysis as needed to assist the Superintendent and Commission to make informed policy decisions;

Represents the Superintendent and the Commission at various meetings, functions, and events; serves as a liaison to various civic and governmental organizations and committees, task forces, boards, and commissions; confers regularly with officials from other municipalities, chambers of commerce, authorities, and commissions; provides information about agency operations; participates in discussions and decisions and keeps the Superintendent apprised of such activities.

Coordinates special projects for the agency, including the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of projects, management studies, introduction of new programs, and various professional services: defines the scope of the project; identifies and ensures proper allocation of financial and material, and human resources committed to the project; formulates solutions and resolves problems; facilitates implementation of the project; and provides administrative support to the project as needed.

Conducts internal and external surveys, feasibility studies, internal audits, performance measures and other best business management practices to ensure efficient and effective business operations.

Monitors and evaluates progress of departments towards established goals and objectives.

Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.

Supplemental Information

Full time position, flexible hours within general framework of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week; requires some evening and/or weekend work. In the event of an emergency, must be available. Salary will commensurate with experience.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e.. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen, and physical.