Job Description

Position Summary

The County Attorney provides timely legal services and guidance to the Board of Supervisors, Constitutional Officers, the County Administrator, and Department Heads. This position also advises the County’s various boards, authorities, and commissions, including the Orange County Broadband Authority (dba FiberLync). Responsibilities include managing complex civil litigation, coordinating with insurance and outside counsel, preparing and reviewing legal documents, and analyzing laws, ordinances, legal opinions, and contracts. The role also serves as the County’s primary risk management officer, working closely with leadership, staff, and citizens to address and resolve issues. Additionally, this position oversees the staff within the County Attorney’s Office. As the Chief Legal Officer and Counsel to Orange County, the County Attorney reports directly to and is accountable to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Essential Job Functions

• Advise the Board of Supervisors, Constitutional Officers, the County Administrator, and Department Heads on all legal matters of local government
• Serve as counsel to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Economic Development Authority, and Broadband Authority
• Advise the Department of Development Services on land use and zoning issues
• Assist in drafting and enforcing the county zoning ordinance and the county subdivision ordinance and in enforcement of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
• Study court decisions and recommend changes to policies and ordinances to conform with law and to protect the county from unwarranted claims
• Advise department heads regarding employment matters and claims
• Draft legal documents including contracts, purchasing agreements and leases
• Gather and analyze evidence in civil matters and review pertinent decisions, policies, regulations, and other legal issues
• Assist the Board and County Administrator with legislative advocacy
• Appear in court as necessary
• Examine instruments and opinions prepared by other attorneys and advise public officials regarding legal requirements and public financial transactions
• Examine public records, assist with FOIA requests, and write opinions
• Search land records and prepare opinions on titles and deeds
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Supervisors

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of duties. The County reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law
• Experience: Five (5) years of relevant experience
• Certifications/Licenses: Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Other: Must be willing to submit to and pass a criminal background check

Special Qualifications

• Residency in Orange County, Virginia within 18 months of employment is strongly preferred
• Must maintain a driving record consistent with insurance industry standards to drive a county vehicle
• Six (6) month probationary period

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong business acumen and legal experience in land use, business, real estate, contracts, leases, zoning, employment, local government, insurance, and civil litigation.
• Experience as Chief Legal Officer in a corporate or governmental agency is preferred.
• Experience working with local government boards, commissions or similar entities is highly desirable.
• Experience in supervising or managing litigation is preferred.
• Ability to research and interpret local, state, and federal laws and provide legal analysis for complex legal problems, while exercising sound professional judgment.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, management, neighboring jurisdictions, and the public is essential.
• Must attend regular meetings and be available to work after normal business hours

Working Conditions and Disclaimer

Environmental:

• Employee is subject to inside environmental conditions, protection from weather conditions.

Physical Effort:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.

Hazards:

• No environmental hazards indicated for this classification.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees with this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this position.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Orange County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

General Acknowledgement: The employee is expected to comply with all County policies and procedures and to consistently demonstrate adherence through their conduct. As a representative of Orange County, the employee is also expected to serve as a role model by upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in accordance with these policies.

Orange County is an equal opportunity employer. Orange County does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class as established by law.

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