Description

SAFETY SENSITIVE—NO UNIFORM REQUIRED—NO POSITION OVERVIEW The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a member of Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority’s (LRWRA) Senior Leadership Team. The CLO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This position requires strong leadership skills with the ability to plan, direct, implement, and manage all legal and government relations-related activities. The CLO represents all legal interests of LRWRA and the LRWRC and manages the entirety of their respective legal and compliance affairs. LRWRA’s CLO is an executive-level leader who must possess strong decision-making and critical thinking skills while executing strong strategies. The individual must have the ability to draw on experiences, anticipate outcomes, have an intuitive sense of understanding situations, shape issues rather than issues shaping them, and have an innate judgment on important issues. The CLO should have the capacity to cope with complexity, amorphousness, and uncertainty, and have the resiliency and ingenuity to adapt to new and different circumstances. The CLO directly supervises, advises, and develops two Department Directors, and has oversight responsibility for the Human Resources and Environmental Affairs departments. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, the CLO interacts with various internal departments and external stakeholders. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS):· Provide day-to-day legal counsel to management, employees, and the LRWRC on legal and compliance matters, including environmental regulations and permits, easement, procurement, contract, employment and construction law, and Arkansas Freedom of Information Act issues.· Recommend, engage, and implement direction from and for the CEO, Senior Leadership Staff, and the LRWRC on relevant legal issues and trends.· Secure, coordinate, and oversee outside legal counsel as needed.· Create and update LRWRA policies and procedures.· Monitor, for the CEO, the legal and regulatory issues of importance to LRWRA’s mission and provide advice and counsel regarding same. · Manage all state legislative issues affecting LRWRA, including drafting and seeking enactment of legislation and providing advice/recommendations regarding newly enacted legislation which affects LRWRA. · Coordinate activities and issues with LRWRA’s federal government relations partner.· Represent LRWRC’s and LRWRA’s legal interests in all anticipated and known litigation. Prepare and review various legal instruments and documents such as contracts, garnishments, easements and like matters that would be submitted before a regulatory body, including the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment, or a court of law. · Review and respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.· Coordinate work activities and oversee all aspects of the Legal, Governmental Relations, Human Resources, and Environmental Affairs departments.· Provide mentoring and management to direct reports in areas including Human Resources and Environmental Affairs.· Maintain in-depth relations with all members of the Senior Leadership team.· Support employee career growth and assist in solving complex problems.· Challenge supervisory-level staff to excel and increase individual and staff performance and productivity.· Be assertive and expect excellence while nurturing creativity and innovation.· Oversee the supervision of department staff. · Resolve work problems presented by staff. Hear concerns and employee complaints, review disciplinary cases, and propose progressive action as necessary. · Oversee and maintain policies and procedures, and manuals for efficient functionality of departments.· Develop and mentor a strong team through training, problem resolution, performance evaluations, operating procedures, and teamwork.· Work cooperatively with groups and individuals, including the City of Little Rock Mayor, City Manager, Little Rock Board of Directors, and staff; Little Rock residents; state legislators; and civic, regulatory, or advocacy groups.· Maintain active memberships in relevant local, state, and national organizations.· Ensure established work procedures and practices are followed.· Follow safety practices and guidelines.· Undertake any reasonable request within capabilities that is good for the community and the utility.· Perform other duties as assigned. LEVEL OF SUPERVISION RECEIVED Minimal. TOTAL POSITIONS SUPERVISED Direct Supervision: 2 employees (2 Department Directors)Indirect Supervision: 17 employees QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS Required:· Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. · License to practice law in the State of Arkansas with the license in good standing or can obtain reciprocity in Arkansas within 6 months of hire.· Ten or more years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm, government agency, or corporate setting.· Minimum of 5 years progressive supervisory experience in leading a multi-disciplinary department.· Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Arkansas driver’s license. Preferred:· 4-5 years of experience as in-house legal counsel, or as outside legal counsel to an organization.· Experience representing a governmental entity.· Experience with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.· Experience with environmental law.· Knowledge of: o Contracts and purchasing requirements.o Intergovernmental agreements and municipal partnerships.o Municipal, state, and federal law.o All levels of the legislative process. o Organizational structures and functions of city government. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: · Familiarity with the functions, organization, and operating procedures of a municipal entity.· Ability to plan, assign, and direct the work of supervisors.· Ability to supervise, communicate, and lead project team members.· Ability to make presentations to LRWRA staff, commissioners, regulatory agencies, city officials, and the public, as required.· Ability to effectively counsel with concise practical advice, and creative solutions.· Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.· Sound judgment and personal and professional integrity. · Ability to communicate effectively with government agencies, consulting engineers, contractors, and the public.· Ability to prepare clear, concise reports and presentations.· Proven success in providing legal guidance in the context of complex organizations.· Ability to document programs and procedures.· Ability to schedule projects and meet deadlines. This position has been evaluated as to whether a momentary lapse of attention may result in grave and immediate danger to the employee, coworkers, or the public. If the designation is yes, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) of 2016 will govern working conditions. If no, the AMMA will not apply to the position.This position has been evaluated as to the mandated wearing of a company uniform during working hours. It has been determined that employees in this position are not required to wear a company uniform during working hours.