General Counsel

Job Description

This is not a Civil Service Position. DWSD employees are subject to provisions of Court Orders entered in United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Case No. 77-71100 with regard to certain terms and conditions of employment. DWSD does not honor reversion rights for internal candidates.

SUMMARY:

Applications are currently being sought to fill the position of General Counsel for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). DWSD is a municipally owned and operated retail water and sewerage services provider. DWSD is guided by a 7-member Board of Water Commissioners and based upon subject matter and dollar amount, DWSD must receive certain approvals from the Detroit City Council.

The DWSD Director is currently a City of Detroit appointee on the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) Board of Directors. GLWA is a publicly owned utility that has entered into long-term lease agreements with the City of Detroit for the operation of the regional water supply and sewage disposal systems. Services are provided to over 125 communities throughout the region, covering eight counties, and representing almost 40% of Michigan’s population.

The General Counsel is an at-will employee appointed by and serving at the pleasure of DWSD’s Director.

The General Counsel serves as DWSD’s Chief Legal Officer and directs, plans, coordinates, and supervises the operations and activities for legal strategy and matters impacting DWSD. The General Counsel position requires a high level of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion, the ability to review and interpret complicated technical and legal contracts, as well as the ability to develop and implement policies and procedures, develop and administer budgets, organize tasks, and set priorities.

The General Counsel leads the Office of General Counsel and is responsible for the efficient and effective direction, operation, and management of that Office and its legal support for DWSD. The General Counsel also serves as Chief Compliance Officer for the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as the Chief Legal Officer for DWSD, as well as Chief Compliance Officer
• Oversee management, development, conduct, and oversight of legal matters impacting the organization
• Lead the Office of General Counsel in an efficient and effective direction
• Provide legal support to DWSD and its Board of Water Commissioners on all matters, including interpretation and enforcement of all agreements between the GLWA and City, and drafting amendments to the agreements,
• Prepare, coordinate, represent, and support DWSD’s representation in legislative and public processes and proceedings
• Prepare, prosecute, coordinate, represent, litigate, or assist in the litigation of DWSD’s interests in administrative proceedings and cases, ranging in difficulty and impacting Michigan or federal jurisprudence
• Conduct or assist in the conduct of investigations
• Research, draft, prepare, and review legal documents including but not limited to forms, contracts, memoranda, opinions, client advisories, and correspondence
• Develop, coordinate, implement, and conduct legal strategy and negotiations in support of DWSD’s business objectives
• Provide advice, counsel, and support for business initiatives and personnel matters, including organizational training
• Provide advice, counsel and support related to policies, processes and procedures and take action to ensure appropriate functionality
• Participate as an active member of DWSD’s executive leadership team
• Maintain current active membership in the State Bar of Michigan with knowledge of law and practice in relevant areas
• Follow safety policies and procedures in carrying out duties
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and contracts with third parties.
• Oversee contractor compliance in coordination with internal business unit/contract owner.
  
  

RELATED JOB FUNCTIONS:

Prepare, conduct, support, and participate in internal and external meetings. Handle or assist in administrative duties for the division including but not limited to file maintenance, data entry, personnel management, business processes and procedures, equipment purchases, office maintenance and other matters as assigned. Handle special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Director, Deputy Director, the Board of Water Commissioners, and their designees.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Juris Doctor’s degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in the practice of law
• Two (2) years of supervisory or law office management experience
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Ten (10) years of progressive responsibility in at least one of the following practice areas: Municipal Law, Employment Law, Litigation, Contracts, Administrative Law, Utility Law, and/or Municipal Bond work
• Three (3) years of legal managerial experience, supervising both in-house counsel and outside counsel
• Prior legal experience working with a utility is preferred
• Prior legal experience working for a governmental/municipal entity preferred
  
  

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Michigan Driver’s License
• Ability to work irregular hours, commute to DWSD facilities and work sites, and respond to after-hour emergencies and on-call responses
• Ability to travel to other states, as needed, as a representative of DWSD on legal or public policy and legislative matters
• Ability to speak and present before legislative bodies
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires in person attendance at DWSD offices and facilities; sitting, walking and standing for prolonged periods of time, operating a vehicle, air travel; verbal acuity and manual dexterity. Work is performed in an office with exposure to computer screens, as well as meeting with commissioners, colleagues, staff, the public and others in in-person settings.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the position. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Employees in this position may be required to undergo alcohol and drug screening and are subject to a criminal background investigation.

SALARY - Negotiable