District Counsel

About the role

The district counsel is Valley Water’s chief legal officer and oversees approximately 11 employees within the District Counsel’s Office and associated Risk Management functions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the District Counsel’s Office and associated Risk Management functions.
• Advise the board of directors and other elected officials on legal matters.
• Manage and supervise the legal department, including delegating tasks and managing staff.
• Provide legal advice and representation to Valley Water, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Manage complex legal risks and develop legal strategies to protect Valley Water’s interests.
• Communicate complex legal topics to non-legal stakeholders in a clear and understandable manner.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with external agencies and stakeholders.
• Represent Valley Water in legal proceedings and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local agencies' regulatory environments.

Requirements

• A minimum of eight years of recent experience actively practicing law in California.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in public agency/municipal law, including two years supervising management, professional, or paraprofessional staff.
• Executive management experience, including advising elected officials and working in a political environment.
• Knowledge of law and principles related to flood protection, water resource management, modern water law, and state and local water history.
• Active and in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Qualifications

• High integrity, unassailable character, unquestionable ethics, and sound legal judgment.
• Strong foundation in various legal practice areas such as the Brown Act, major capital projects, constitutional law, contracts, departmental budgeting, the District Act, eminent domain, elections, employment law, environmental law, ethics, finance, labor relations, negotiations, Open Meeting Act, procurement, Public Records Act, real estate transactions, risk management, and state-level water issues.
• Diplomatic and politically astute, but apolitical, with strong situational awareness.
• Effective leader with the ability to manage complex legal risks and build an efficient, responsive team.
• Committed to providing the board with legal options consistent with their policy priorities, explaining their lawful choices and the attendant risks.
• Comfortable operating in complex legal and regulatory environments and managing contract legal counsel.
• Deeply committed to the highest levels of customer service and enthusiastic about building and maintaining an efficient, responsive team.

Skills

• Clear and concise writing and speaking skills.
• Ability to communicate complex legal topics to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and be positive and approachable.
• Political astuteness and diplomatic skills.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Experience in managing legal risks and developing legal strategies.
• Experience in representing clients in legal proceedings and negotiations.
• Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with external agencies and stakeholders.

Benefits

• Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (California Public Employees Retirement System, CalPERS).
• Retirement Health Benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible Spending Account Plans for medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses.
• Telework options for employees living within 150 miles of the San Jose office.
• Life Insurance benefits equal to employee's annual salary up to a maximum benefit of $100,000.
• Deferred Compensation Plans with up to $8,000 in annual matching contributions.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for personal issues affecting work or personal life.
• Wellness programs including company-wide challenges, lunchtime seminars, health cooking demos, and discounts at health clubs and fitness studios.

Pay

Annual Salary: $353,745.60 - $449,176.00 DOE/DOQ

Schedule

Full-time position based in Valley Water’s San Jose office.