Staff Counsel, LACERA (Investments)

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS A REBULLETIN TO CONTINUE THE FILING FOR THIS EXAMINATION THAT WAS SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 12, 2024.

PERSONS WHO PREVIOUSLY APPLIED AND WHOSE APPLICATIONS WERE ACCEPTED NEED NOT REAPPLY, BUT MAY SUBMIT ANY UPDATED INFORMATION OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF THEY WISH VIA EMAIL TO [email protected] THE INFORMATION MUST INCLUDE THE CORRECT EXAMINATION TITLE AND NUMBER. INDIVIDUALS WHOSE APPLICATIONS WERE NOT ACCEPTED DUE TO INCOMPLETE INFORMATION MAY REAPPLY FOR THIS EXAMINATION.

This examination will remain open until LACERA's hiring needs are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive Job Opportunity

EXAMINATION INFORMATION: Examination Number: 9-9212-H, Job Bulletin Number: 24-01

COMPENSATION: $11,647.64 - $17,629.66 Monthly

Placement within this salary range depends on qualifications. This position is subject to the provisions of the County's Management Appraisal and Performance Plan (MAPP).

The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) administers and manages the $73 billion retirement fund for the County of Los Angeles. We provide retirement, disability, and death benefits to eligible County Employees and their Beneficiaries, and collect, deposit, invest, and manage retirement funds collected from the County, Outside Districts, and County Employees. LACERA is one of the largest county retirement associations in the United States with over 184,000 Members. Our Membership is comprised of individuals from a diverse range of careers, age groups, and ethnicity - all contributing to the greater welfare of Los Angeles County.

LACERA is located in Gateway Plaza at 300 North Lake Avenue in the beautiful City of Pasadena. The building is easily accessible from the Foothill Freeway (210) and the Metro Gold Line Lake Station. We offer convenient free parking for staff members in our secure structure adjacent to the building in addition to a robust rideshare program providing commuting alternatives such as ride-matching, vanpool, carpool, parking services and more. Prioritizing health, well-being, and sustainability, Gateway Plaza is a Class A office building, LEED Gold Certified and EPA Energy Star Certified. With a Walkability Score of 91, LACERA staff members are able to easily enjoy the approximately 150 shops, food, and dining options that make up the popular South Lake Avenue District.

Our Members dedicate their careers contributing to the welfare of Los Angeles County. For their service, the County contributes to their promised benefits, and LACERA is dedicated to serving them in return throughout their career and their life afterwards. If you are interested in being part of this rewarding team, LACERA invites you to apply!

Benefits include a cafeteria benefit plan (14.5%-17% of monthly salary), annual leave, defined benefit retirement plan, Savings Plan (401k), Deferred Compensation Plan (457), 13 paid holidays per year, savings plan, a hybrid work schedule, and a ride share program.

LACERA Mission: To produce, protect, and provide the promised benefits to our members.

LACERA Vision: Empowering our members to enjoy a healthy and secure retirement.

LACERA Values: Accountability, Collaboration, Inclusivity, Innovation, Integrity, Transparency

Our Core Values serve as our cultural guide and foundation in meeting our mission. As a member-focused government agency, we abide by our core values to ensure the public's trust, operate efficiently and cost effectively, and provide our members their promised benefits.

ABOUT THE POSITION:
The current vacancy in the Investments Section of the Legal Division is an important position of responsibility in support of LACERA's dynamic and well-regarded investment program, providing advice to investment staff and the Board of Investments, reviewing and negotiating agreements, and analyzing and addressing other complex investment issues relating to LACERA's diversified global portfolio. The Legal Division is comprised of a Chief Counsel, a Legislative Affairs Officer, Senior Staff Counsels, Staff Counsels, Legal Analysts, Legal Secretaries, and will soon add a Director of Compliance. Legal staff work in one of four sections: Litigation, Investments, Benefits, and Disability. This position will be in the Investments Section, reporting to Senior Investments Staff Counsel.

STAFF COUNSEL ROLE:
The Staff Counsel (Investments) position reports to LACERAs Senior Staff Counsel for Investments and Chief Counsel.
The role of Staff Counsel includes:
Providing investment professionals with legal advice relating to investment transactions, reviewing, drafting, and negotiating documentation for various investment transactions, including private equity, hedge funds, co-investment transactions, real estate, credit, and public markets, supervising outside counsel on investment transactions, legal support on a wide range of transactional matters, drafting memos, policies, and procedures to the Board of Investments, presenting to the Board of Investments, and drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts relating to investments.

VACANCY INFORMATION:
The current vacancy is in the Investments Section of the Legal Division. The resulting Eligible Register can be used to fill both current and future vacancies throughout the Legal Division.

Work Schedule: This full-time position is required to work a 5/40 schedule (e.g. an eight (8) hour day, Monday through Friday). LACERA offers a hybrid work environment, and this position may be eligible to telework up to three (3) days per week depending on the needs of the office.To view the complete job description for this classification, please click here.SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:
Four (4) years of experience in the practice of investments law.

LICENSE:
Admission to practice law in all courts of California **.

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS II Light: Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrated firsthand experience independently drafting, reviewing, and negotiating:
Agreements relating to complex closed-end private equity fund and open-end fund investments.
Agreements with investment managers, advisers, consultants, and custodians relating to institutional investments and commercial contracts across various asset classes: , including without limitation:
Demonstrated firsthand experience independently drafting, reviewing, and negotiating:

• Agreements relating to complex closed-end private equity fund and open-end fund investments, including private placement memorandums, side letters, limited partnership agreements, consents and amendments
• Agreements with investment managers, advisers, consultants, and custodians relating to institutional investments and commercial contracts across various asset classes
• Documents for co-investment and secondary transactions
• Documents for real estate transactions
• Documents for hedge fund transactions
• Confidentiality agreements and non-reliance letters

Demonstrated experience in and ability to:
Provide legal advice to institutional investors, investment advisers, and other investment professionals.
Supervise outside counsel in investment related transactions.
Provide independent compliance advice, support, and oversight relating to securities trading.
Experience representing institutional investors and/or investment advisers at a major law firm strongly preferred.

To receive credit for the above desirable qualifications, your application must clearly describe your experience.

Knowledge of: Knowledge of: legal principles and precedents as it relates to investment transactions and contract law such as the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, Dodd Frank Act, federal and state security laws related to private offerings, California public records and open meeting laws and disclosure requirements, laws governing California public pension fund systems, placement and lobbying restrictions, the Political Reform Act of 1974 and related regulations, computerized legal research tools such as Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw, principles and practices of correct English usage including grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary, time management and organizational techniques, interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy, customer service skills, principles and applications of the Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Sharepoint and Outlook.

Ability to: Provide independent practical legal advice, support, and oversight related to investment transactions and securities trading; review, draft, and negotiate documents and commercial contracts for a wide range of investment transactions, including private equity, hedge funds, co-investment transactions, real estate, credit, and public markets; draft memos, policies, and procedures; communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing, including making public presentations to the Board of Investments; maintain effective relationships with the public, the Boards, Executive Leadership and staff; research and analyze legal issues, assess risks, and distill into succinct business advice; set priorities effectively and oversee multiple projects in a fast-paced environment; work well under time constraints and meet deadlines; conduct research using computerized legal research tools such as Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw; understand and follow oral and written directions; provide oversight, leadership, and work effectively with a diverse team of internal staff, outside counsel, and executives; work with minimum supervision; plan and organize their work and the work of others; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff internally and externally.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION
**All applicants must submit the following with their online application at the time of filing, or within 15 calendar days from the application submission date:

A copy of a valid and active California Bar card with a visible watermark of the year -OR- a printed copy of the member profile information from the State Bar of California website, with an "Active" status designation. Applications received without this required documentation will be rejected as incomplete.

EXAMINATION CONTENT
This examination process will consist of: an evaluation of training and experience based on application information and supplemental questionnaire weighted 100%.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE WEIGHTED PORTIONS OF THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.

All notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected] and [email protected] to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Test scores/results cannot be given over the telephone.

DO NOT select "Off" under Email Preferences within your profile or click "Unsubscribe" on our notices if you would like LACERA to notify you regarding your application status, test schedules, and other important information pertaining to your candidacy for this position.

LACERA will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

Those candidates which are determined eligible for hire under the Los Angeles County's Civil Services Rules may be invited to the selection process which may be comprised of a selection interview and/or job related assessments.

ELIGIBLE INFORMATION
The names of candidates receiving a passing grade will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

Application must be submitted online. Applicants can check the status of their applications at any time by logging into their account on www.governmentjobs.com.

The acceptance of an employment application depends upon whether or not an applicant has provided adequate information that clearly demonstrates meeting the Selection Requirements for the position as stated above. Please complete the application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and completely. Information provided in the supplemental questionnaire must be reflected in the application to be considered.

Failure to provide complete information on the employment application and on the supplemental questionnaire will impact the assessment of an applicant's qualifications and acceptance in the selection process.

Applications submitted without the complete work history and the supplemental questions completed in their entirety will be rejected as incomplete. "See application" or "See resume" or copy and paste of work experience is not sufficient or qualifying responses.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application or supplemental questionnaire.

In the space provided for education, include the names and addresses of schools attended, and number of credits, degree, and/or certificate(s) earned.

In order to receive credit for any college course work, or college degree, such as an Associate, Bachelor, Master, Doctorate degree, or for completion of a certificate program, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official and/or unofficial transcripts, or an official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization or official certificate(s) at the time of filing or within ten (10) business days from application submission date.

Applicants must provide the appropriate attachments during application submission, email the documentation to [email protected] within ten (10) business days of filing. Please include the examination title and number on the documentation.

Failure to provide the appropriate documentation may result in your application being rejected as incomplete and will be removed from consideration.

Your employment history should be listed in order beginning with the most recent.

For each job held, provide the name and address of your employer, your job titles, beginning and ending dates, description of work performed, and reason for leaving.

If you have worked in more than one position for one employer, list each job title and/or area of assignment separately on the application to demonstrate your experience in various assignments/occupational areas.

Part-time experience will be evaluated on the basis of its fractional equivalent of a 40-hour workweek.

All required experience must be paid.

This position may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays.

TO APPLY ONLINE GO TO: www.lacera.com and click on the Careers link.

Faxed, emailed, or hardcopy (paper) applications will not be accepted.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

Candidate(s) who complete examination process with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Upon an offer of employment, a comprehensive background investigation will be conducted, which includes verification of experience, and/or education, credit history, and fingerprinting through the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please note that ALL information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT.

Utilizing VERBIAGE from the Classification Specification, Minimum Requirements, and/or Desirable Qualifications serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION and you may be DISQUALIFIED. Applications may be rejected at any stage of the examination process.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)
LACERA recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. LACERA is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)
LACERA is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. LACERA will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

Requests for accommodation: [email protected]
Teletype Telephone: (800) 899-4099
Department Contact Name: Sharon Norton
Department Contact Telephone: (626) 553 -7030
Department Email: [email protected]