Westlands Water District

Fresno, CA

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General Counsel

Bargaining Unit: At Will
Salary Code: Band A
FLSA Designation: Exempt
Revision Date: 02/13/18

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under direction of the Board of Directors, in coordination with the General Manager, performs a broad range of staff legal work, represents the District on legal matters before a variety of governmental agencies and tribunals, performs a wide variety of legal research, provides senior management with effective legal advice or opinion and their implementation, research, studying, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, and court decisions; provides expert legal advice in the specialized area of water law which may be exceptionally difficult and sensitive.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

General Counsel is a managerial classification appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The individual in this class is primarily responsible for guaranteeing the District is working in compliance of the law in every way. This individual will handle all legal actions to prevent the District’s profile and its employee’s reputation on risk of exposure to the public.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

  1. Provides legal advice or opinion to management and the Board of Directors and on the legal effect of rules, regulations, proposed legislation, statutory law, court decisions, and administrative actions.
  2. Provide legal advice or opinion related to the definition and development of District policies, procedures and programs and provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters. Serve as key lawyer/legal advisor on all major transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joining ventures.
  3. Respond to legal correspondence; conduct special investigations involved in the enforcement of laws and District policies, rules and regulations.
  4. Judge the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the District, work with the appropriate senior staff to define strategic defense and approve settlements of disputes where warranted.
  5. Develop proposed legislation; testify before legislative committees, prepare or assist in preparing cases, opinions, briefs, and other legal documents such as memoranda, digests, summaries, and reports.
  6. Assist in the preparation of or prepare cases which may result in litigation before boards, commissions, hearing officers, administrative law judges, or trial or appellate courts.
  7. Structure and manage the District’s legal functions and legal staff; including but not limited to, selection, retention, management, and evaluation of all outside counsel.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree, current membership in the California State Bar and demonstrate years of increasingly responsible experience as an attorney or courtroom environment. A clear and comprehensive understanding of legal matters in water law

Knowledge of:

  • California Statutory and Constitutional Law, Government Codes, and Federal water laws.
  • State and Federal legislative processes.
  • Principles, methods, materials and practices of Legal research.
  • Court procedures, principles of administrative and Constitutional law.
  • Conduct and proceedings in trial and appellate courts and before administrative bodies.
  • The operation of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project.
  • The principles and practices of public personnel administration.

Skills/Abilities to:

  • Analyze legal principles and apply those to the most difficult and complex legal and administrative issues.
  • Perform research, analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal issues.
  • Present statements of fact, law and argument orally and in writing in clear and logic form.
  • Prepare the most complex and difficult opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation.
  • Conduct the most complex and sensitive in nature legislation and legal work.
  • Establish and maintain the liaison with legislative and other governmental bodies.
  • Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local laws to the administration of District policies, programs, contracts, and services.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job. ▪ Work hours other than normal work schedule. ▪ Travel frequently at times by airplane and automobile.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

  • Membership in the State Bar of California ▪ Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider is required.