General Counsel

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT – DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
CLASS SPECIFICATION:
Title: General Counsel Level: 1345
Job Summary:
The General Counsel serves as in-house legal counsel for the Chicago Park District and is a member of the Park District’s executive team. The General Counsel is responsible for administration, management, and supervision of all matters and affairs pertaining to the Law Department, in addition to providing legal advice to the General Superintendent, the Board of Commissioners, and other officials of the Park District. This position reports to the General Superintendent and the Board.
The General Counsel will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Provides legal advice for a wide array of matters including interpretation of, and compliance with, all of applicable federal, state and local law.
• Directs the legal work of all attorneys and outside counsel, and oversees management, staffing, and the annual budget of the Department.
• Appears for and protects the rights and interests of the Park District and its employees in all actions, suits and proceedings brought by or against it. This includes but is not limited to personal injury, labor and employment, civil rights, constitutional, contracts, and insurance coverage, FOIA, and OMA matters.
• Directs the preparation and evaluation of contracts, including leases, purchases, permits, operating agreements, collective bargaining agreements, financing agreements, bonds and other documents.
• Evaluates pending legislation and directs the preparation of state and local legislation advantageous to the Park District.
• Prepares Park District Code revisions, resolutions, ordinances, and all other legal matters.
• Oversees Ethics Officer, FOIA Officer, and the Department of Risk Management.
• Manages legal relationships with other governmental bodies and major external partners.
• Advises Board of Commissioners on its powers and duties, and the requirements and processes for conducting Board business, and all legal matters.
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the General Counsel must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Law Degree conferred by an American Bar Association accredited university.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.
Experience Required:
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience exposure in four (4) or more of the following areas is also required: Administrative or municipal law, personal injury litigation, labor and employment practice, civil rights, contracts, financing, real estate and workers’ compensation.
• Previous experience as a General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Detailed knowledge of applicable federal and state laws.
• Detailed knowledge of the principles of labor, contractual, constitutional, and administrative law.
• Detailed knowledge of collective bargaining methods and practices.
• Detailed knowledge of negotiation strategies and principals of labor contract implementation.
• Working knowledge of the methods and practices of legal research and investigation, judicial procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• Experience managing attorneys and support staff.
• Exceptional advocacy, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment to resolve issues and make effective decisions.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously under pressure. • Problem solver able to expeditiously assess issues and provide sound legal advice.
• Strong work ethic, integrity, sound judgment, initiative, and strategic thinking skills.
• Demonstrate strong management experience including leading teams, executing administrative oversight.
Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment with the Chicago Park District, employees are required to: • Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency – Employees are required to live full-time within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago at the time of appointment or provide written agreement at the time of initial appointment to establish his/ her full-time place of residence within the City of Chicago within a thirty-day period.
CPD is an equal opportunity employer.
It is the policy of the Chicago Park District that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge or disability. CPD will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation, in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 312-742-5220.
For consideration, please send cover letter and resume to katie.ellis@chicagoparkdistrict.com