Government Liaison/Special Advice Counsel/Staff Attorney

Job Description:

Government Liaison/Special Advice Counsel/Staff Attorney

Description

About us

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement- York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values - Excellence through Professionalism

• Respect - respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated- strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity- do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable- ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly- service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

About our opportunity

The County Attorney's Office is excited to hire a Government Liaison/ Special Advice Counsel/Staff Attorney to join their team. In this newly created position, you will monitor and analyze legislation and policy developments; advocate, educate and negotiate on matters related to the County/Council’s interests with government agencies. You will also develop and maintain relationships with local and state agencies and officials and their staff; prepare materials and testimony for government hearings and meetings and assist with drafting proposed legislation while representing the organization's interests in meetings, hearings, and other forums with government officials and policymakers. This person will need to stay abreast of legislative and regulatory developments, analyze their potential impact on the organization, and develop strategies to influence policy decisions.

Salary is dependent on experience and education.

Recruitment Process: This position is open until filled, with applications being reviewed weekly. This posting may close at any time once a sufficient number of applications have been received or the position has been filled. All communication regarding this position will come directly from the hiring department.

Our Total Compensation Package:

• Compensation - competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Expanded Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
• Paid uniforms

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Communicates and coordinates regularly with other governmental entities within York County, state Legislators, and other State agencies and officials to address Council policy initiatives and to help draft and support legislation in furtherance of County policy initiatives.
• Conducts legal research and addresses needed ordinance changes identified through the ordinance review process (e.g., facilitates the zoning Recode review). Proposes options for implementing recommended changes. When necessary, collaborates with state legislators and other stakeholders to draft proposed legislation for changes identified as priorities by County Council.
• Attends Council Meetings, special and regular, council workshops, committee meetings, conferences, retreats, and training sessions as directed by the County Attorney. Meetings and workshops may be held in the evening, as is often County practice. Conferences, meetings, and training sessions may be held outside the county and may involve overnight travel, which will require the ability to drive a County vehicle.
• Strategic Communications: As necessary with respect to legal matters and in cooperation with County leadership and in furtherance of Council policy objectives: develops and coordinates implementation of communication strategies to promote the County/Council’s mission and goals; communicates with various stakeholders, including the public and government officials; assists with preparing official public statements and assists with ensuring responsive/accurate information is available to the public through the county’s messaging outlets

• Reports progress and outcomes of legislative bills, regulatory changes, and legal actions at both the state and federal level.
• Researches and interprets the law as it applies to the governance of the County in multiple practice areas, including but not limited to land use, Fee in Lieu of Tax Simplification Act, special tax districts, water/sewer law, contracts and procurement, financing and budgeting matters, roads and transportation, zoning and building code matters, etc.
• Remains current on statutes, case law, and regulations that may affect the operations and policies of the County to ensure compliance with the laws and to limit liabilities.
• Represents the County in civil litigation as circumstances dictate.
• Drafts, reviews and provides legal advice concerning County contracts, Ordinances, and Resolutions as circumstances dictate.
• Responds to questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Performs related work as assigned by the County Attorney.

About you

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate required.
• Eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law, preferably in local government, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Certifications / Licenses:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Standard Clauses

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.

Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation. Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits series provides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)

Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at [email protected] if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.

Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous Service Monthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years $20.00
15-19 Years $25.00
20-24 Years $30.00
25-29 Years $35.00
30-34 Years $40.00
35-39 Years $45.00
40+ Years $50.00

Parental Leave
Employees that have been employed at least 12 months with the county may be eligible for up to 30 days of parental leave immediately following the birth, adoption or placement of a legal dependent child.

Bereavement Leave

Three (3) days of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, which includes a spouse, parent, grandparent or child.

Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.

Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve-month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.

Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.

Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January - December: 3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January: New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day
May: Memorial Day
June: Juneteenth Day
July: Independence Day
September: Labor Day
November: Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday after Thanksgiving
December: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

Training:
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

See Position Description