SENIOR COUNSEL

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

_____________________________________________________________________________

CLASS SPECIFICATION:

Title: Senior Counsel Budget Code: 1327

_____________________________________________________________________________

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS:

Senior Counsel works as a legal specialist for the Department of Law with minimal supervision from the First Assistant General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel, and performs related duties as required or assigned. Senior Counsel will be given a high level of responsibility for handling transactional work, including but not limited to negotiating and drafting contracts, intergovernmental agreements, grants, real estate documents (ordinances, deeds, leases, licenses, easements), and various matters as assigned. Senior Counsel may also be asked to research and provide legal advice for the Park District’s Board of Commissioners and senior administration.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Performs transactional work for the Park District including but not limited to reviewing and drafting contracts for the procurement of goods and services, software and information technology services; donation agreements; art agreements; tax increment financings; assisting with municipal finance transactions; and handling a broad range of real estate matters, including reviewing and analyzing title, survey, environmental, appraisal and other reports, preparing ancillary closing documents, and advising on land use regulation and property tax issues. Performs legal research and drafts legal documents such as agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, licenses, easements, letters of opinion, policies, and memoranda. Provides advice and guidance to department heads and other officials regarding Chicago Park District legal matters and issues relating to the Code of the Chicago Park District and applicable city, state and federal statutes. Negotiates, drafts, and reviews complex agreements with governmental and private entities. Provides training on legal issues as requested by senior management. Assists in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and programs, as required. Supervises paralegals as necessary.

______________________________________________________________________________

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Training and Experience: A Law Degree conferred by an American Bar Association accredited college or university is required to perform the duties of this position. A minimum of four years of progressively responsible legal experience in two or more of the following areas is also required: administrative or municipal law, information technology law, contracts, environmental law, land use, large scale capital projects, and real estate. Additional training and/or experience beyond that required for receipt of law degree, may be substituted for experience.

License Requirement: Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

______________________________________________________________________________

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The ideal candidate will possess significant prior experience and responsibility for handling complex transactional matters including significant negotiation and drafting experience; exceptional research and writing skills; the ability to manage teams and work well with others; a demonstrated history of exhibiting leadership and initiative on assigned tasks; and the ability to organize, prioritize, monitor, and meet work deadlines.

Good working knowledge of standard legal processes. Strong skills in the interpretation and application of laws, statutes, ordinances, and precedents. Strong analytical skills. Skill in managing multiple projects concurrently. Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.

Physical Requirements: Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, and manual dexterity for working with computers, documents, office equipment. Requires physical handling of legal documents and equipment.

Salary range: $113,300. Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Career Service: Exempt EEO: Professional FLSA: Exempt