Corporation Counsel
Job Summary:
The Corporation Counsel is the primary legal and administrative counsel for the Vilas County government. The Corporation Counsel exercises professional and administrative judgment and initiative within policy guidelines. All duties and responsibilities are performed under and subject to the review and guidance of the Executive and Legislative Committee and the County Board as a whole.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provides legal and administrative counsel and assistance to the County Board, its committees, and all County departments on all matters of County concern. This includes but is not limited to interpreting and advising officials, departments, and employees on their duties and powers; court appearances and administrative agency actions and hearings; preparing legal opinions and documents as necessary; and attending to legal matters generally, both in and out of court, for the County Board and all departments.
2. Represents the County in civil litigation, both prosecution and defense; in reviewing claims, suits and demands; and in resolution of disputes with other units of government. Attends to all civil legal matters in and out of court where the County Board of Supervisors, County departments, committees, agencies, boards, commissions, County elected officials, and employees are an interested party. Examples include, but are not limited to: mental health cases, alcohol or drug commitments, child support and paternity hearings, guardianships & protective placement hearings, CHIPS, JIPS and termination of parental rights, Planning & Zoning hearings, Zoning Board of Adjustments hearings, Public Health matters, foreclosures for non-payment of taxes, bankruptcy hearings, personnel matters, collection matters, and other related hearings.
3. Assists with labor relations activities including but not limited to grievance and dispute resolution, and collective bargaining strategy planning, negotiations, mediation, and arbitration. Provide legal assistance to the Human Resources Manager with drafting and implementation of personnel policies and programs, and disciplinary, compensation, benefit and other issues.
4. Drafts, reviews, analyzes, and interprets contracts, policies, procedures, Code of Ordinances, resolutions, contracts for goods and services, intergovernmental contracts, deeds, rental or lease contracts and a wide variety of other documents.
5. Prosecutes zoning ordinance and various other civil ordinance violations.
6. Serves as parliamentarian for the County Board and interprets and explains County Board rules and duties.
7. Supervises and directs the activities of the Corporation Counsel Office. This includes but is not limited to training and supervising office staff; reporting monthly to the Executive and Legislative Committee on ongoing activities and legal proceedings; preparing and administering the office’s capital and operating budgets; and ensuring the office’s compliance with all County programs, policies, and procedures. Works with the HR Department as appropriate in staff supervision matters. Communicates policy changes and other pertinent information to department staff.
8. Advises and, when requested, trains supervisory staff on policies and procedures and their implementation, including but not limited to Wisconsin’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws and Chapter 51 procedures.
9. Develops and adheres to department budget. Works with the Finance Department as appropriate in financial and budgeting matters.
10. Maintains strict confidentiality regarding all records and information as required.
11. All other duties as assigned or as necessary for the efficient and effective operation and to maintain full operation of Corporation Counsel Office in the absence of other employees within the department.
WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS:
A. Education/Knowledge:
4 Year College Degree Required – Major field of study: Law
Other: Juris Doctorate – Required
B. Licensure/Certification:
1 Required
• License to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.
C. Required Work Experience:
In addition to Education/Licensure – Four to six years’ experience in a government law office or law firm setting preferred.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM POSITION:
• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity and ability to work well with others.
• Ability to objectively and effectively supervise and resolve complex problems when required.
• Considerable ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize and set own and subordinates’ work priorities.
• Ability to file all necessary court and legal documents in the Wisconsin efiling record system (CCAP).
• Ability to work independently, possess and utilize strategic planning skills, exercise judgment and effectively utilize authority.
• Knowledge and use of contemporary office equipment, including department-specific programs.
Vilas County requires that all applicants file out our application. It can be found on our website at www.workforvilascounty.com
Deadline Note: All applications must be received by September 29, 2023 at 4 pm.