Salary: $111,271.00 – $206,646.00 Annually
Location : 11 Clearwater Drive, Little Rock
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 23-38
Department: Legal
Division: Legal Administration
Opening Date: 08/02/2023
Closing Date: 8/16/2023 11:59 PM Central
Description
SAFETY SENSITIVE-NO
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.
UNIFORM REUIRED-NO
This position has been evaluated as to the mandated wearing of a company uniform during working hours.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a member of Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority’s (LRWRA) Executive Leadership Team. The CLO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). LRWRA is governed by the seven-member Little Rock Water Reclamation Commission (LRWRC). 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, develops, and leads 3 competent team members and oversees the Human Resources and Environmental Affairs departments.
As part of the Executive Leadership Team, the CLO interacts with various internal departments and external stakeholders.
PAY RANGE:
The pay range for this position is $111,271.00 to $206,646.00. Starting pay range for this position is between $111,271.00 to $158,958.00, depending on qualifications.
Examples of Duties
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS):
- Provide day-to day legal counsel to management, employees, and the LRWRC on legal and compliance matters including easement, procurement, contract, employment and construction law, and Arkansas Freedom of Information Act issues.
- Recommend, engage, and implement direction from and for the CEO, Executive 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 LRWRA CEO, the legal and regulatory issues of importance to LRWRA’s mission and provide advice and counsel regarding same.
- Handle 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 Executive 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, 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.
Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Required:
- Juris Doctorate from accredited law school.
- License to practice law in the State of Arkansas with license in good standing.
- 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:
- 3-5 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
- Knowledge of:
- Contracts and purchasing requirements.
- Municipal, state, and federal law.
- All levels of the legislative process.
- 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.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Arkansas driver’s license.
Supplemental Information
LRWRA’s Mission
Serving our community by protecting public health and the environment while leading the industry by reclaiming water for a more sustainable tomorrow.
LRWRA’s Value Statement
We commit to exceptional service, integrity beyond reproach, respect for people, communities, and cultures with tangible and lasting results.
LRWRA’s Core Values
Community Partnerships – We build community partnerships and provide public outreach regarding our “One Water. One Future.” Commitment.
Embracing Change – We develop forward-thinking and creative solutions to enhance our processes, practices, and services.
Excellence – We commit to providing exceptional service through professionalism in our words, actions, attitudes, and communication for the betterment of our community and environment.
Integrity – We demonstrate the highest standards of morals, honesty, respect, and accountability for our results and actions.
Inclusion – We value, solicit, and embrace the unique differences and perspectives of each employee. We are committed to a hiring process that reflects the diverse makeup of the community we serve.
Safety – Above all, we are strongly committed to providing a safe environment for our employees.
Teamwork – We embrace an environment where all voices are heard and respected through collaboration to achieve the overall best outcome.
Employee Benefits
Health/Prescription/Dental/Drug/Vision
- Health & Prescription Drug – United Healthcare – High Deductible with H.S.A
- Dental – Blue Cross
- Vision – Blue Cross
Holidays
- 11 days per calendar year.
- Paid Time Off (PTO)- Hours accrue based on length of service (1 day equals 8 hours):
- 0-1 years 18 days
- 1-5 years 20 days
- 6-15 years 25 days
- 16-25 years 30 days
- 25+ years 35 days
Retirement Plans
- Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS). Defined benefit. Mandatory employee contribution of 5.25% tax-deferred. Employer contribution of 15.32%. Vested at 5 years of employment.
- 401(a) Money Purchase Plans. Mandatory employee contribution schedule. Employer contribution schedule based on tenure. Vested at 5 years of employment.
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plans. Supplemental pre-tax plan. Funded entirely by employee.
- Roth IRA Plans. After-tax plan where earnings accumulate tax-free. Funded entirely by employee.
Disability Leaves
- Short Term Disability (STD) employer paid.
- Short Term Disability (STD) Buy Up (optional) employee paid.
- Long Term Disability (LTD) employer paid.
Miscellaneous Benefits
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution available.
- Group Term Life Insurance (1x annual salary) employer paid.
- Additional life insurance. Funded entirely by employee.
- Direct deposit of payroll.
- Education Reimbursement of up to $5250.00 annually (after 1 year of employment).
- University of Little Rock, AR tuition discounts.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer.
- Fitness Reimbursement of up to $300.00 annually.
01
Do you have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a license to practice law in the State of Arkansas with a license in good standing?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have ten or more years of experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm, government agency, or corporate setting?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have a minimum of 5 years progressive supervisory experience in leading a multi-disciplinary department?
- Yes
- No
05
Do you have the ability to obtain and maintain a valid Arkansas driver’s license?
- Yes
- No
Required Question