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Corporation Counsel

Dunn County WI
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Are you a seasoned legal professional with a passion for public service? Dunn County is excited to welcome a dynamic and dedicated Corporation Counsel to our team. In this leadership role, you will provide expert legal counsel across a broad spectrum of legal areas, safeguarding the county's interests and ensuring our operations are in full legal compliance.

As Corporation Counsel, you will:

  • Offer strategic legal advice to the county board, committees, and departments.
  • Coordinate and oversee the county’s legal representation with outside counsel.
  • Navigate complex legal landscapes to protect and advance Dunn County’s objectives.

This is more than a job; it's a chance to make a lasting impact on our community. Your guidance will be integral in shaping the future of our county's governmental operations, programs, and services.

If you’re ready to contribute your legal expertise to a vibrant and forward-thinking county, we invite you to apply and join us in our mission to serve with integrity and excellence. Be a part of something greater at Dunn County!


**The anticipated start date for this role is October 2024**

 

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Subject to the general supervision of the County Manager, this position is the chief administrative officer of the Corporation Counsel department and is responsible, up to the limits set by law, ordinance and policy, for all of the activities of the department including but not limited to:

  • managing, supervising, training, and directing the personnel of the department;
  • preparation and submission of an annual budget and for financial management;
  • evaluating staff performance, handing hiring and disciplinary issues;
  • planning future activities of the department and maintaining a strategic plan;
  • meeting the required reporting obligations of the department and implementing an effective file/information system;
  • maintaining clear and effective communications;
  • enforcing County policies and ordinances.

This position also:
 

  • Provides legal advice and services to the County Board and its committees, elected county officials, the County Manager and department heads, and interprets the authority, duties and powers of each under state and federal law and county ordinances.
  • Serves as legal advisor to all County departments and committees, drafts required legal papers, and attends to legal matters in and out of court where such departments or committees may be interested parties.
  • Advises department heads, County Manager, and the County Board on labor contract interpretations and personnel matters.
  • Drafts and/or reviews all contracts in which the County and any of its agencies are a party prior to signature by appropriate County officials.
  • Represents the County, its officials and employees in all civil actions under the jurisdiction of the office which includes pretrial preparation, conduct of trial and appeals therefrom in State and Federal courts.
  • Drafts resolutions and ordinances for consideration by the County Board of Supervisors; reviews all proposed ordinances and resolutions for legal sufficiency and form prior to submission to committees and the County Board; appears at all County Board meetings and, on request, explains the contents of resolutions and ordinances.
  • Provides policy direction to the County Board and its committees when requested; monitors state and federal law and legislative and judicial developments and recommends appropriate policy positions and changes in the best interest of Dunn County.
  • Serves as parliamentarian for the County Board of Supervisors which includes interpretation and explanation of County Board rules and Robert’s Rules of Order.
  • Maintains files, reports, documents and assists in all other legal matters as instructed by the County Board.
  • Performs special assignments and duties at the request of the County Manager and County Board.
  • Reviews claims, suits, and demands against the County; coordinates litigation discover and evidence preservation with county departments.
  • Preparation and submission of an annual budget and for financial management; planning future activities of the department and maintaining a strategic plan; meeting the required reporting obligations of the department and implementing an effective file/information system.
  • Performs related work as required.

 

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
 

  • Juris Doctor Degree
  • Requires a minimum of 4 to 6 years previous experience in professional legal practice, preferably in municipal law.
  • Admission to the Wisconsin State Bar and Federal District Court in Wisconsin.
  • At least two years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
 

  • Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
  • Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential for Corporation Counsel to possess.
 

  • Thorough knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the area of municipal and public law applicable to the County government.
  • Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations applicable to County government.
  • Thorough knowledge of pertinent judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
  • Considerable knowledge of governmental organization, legislative procedures and judicial procedures.
  • Ability to determine the adequacy and accuracy of findings of fact, the application of legal principles, and the content of pleadings, briefs and opinions.
  • Ability to provide reliable and sound legal counsel in areas of concern to County government; ability to instruct and supervise professional assistants.
  • Ability to communicate highly effectively orally and in writing, high verbal skills, demonstrated capacity for presenting evidence and for making oral arguments and presentations.
  • Demonstrated capacity for originality and analytical thinking.
  • Thorough knowledge of public sector labor relations practices and procedures.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of extremely sensitive information.
  • Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures including those pertaining to confidentiality.
  • Ability to prioritize and organize job assignments; ability to plan, organize, assign, train, review, coordinate and direct the work of others.
  • Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
  • Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

MINIMUM LANGUAGE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS 
In order to perform the duties of the Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following language skills are essential for the Corporation Counsel to possess. 
 

  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and the general public in written and verbal form.
  • English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

MINIMUM REASONING ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following reasoning abilities are essential for the Corporation Counsel to possess.
 

  • Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
  • Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
  • Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

 MINIMUM MATHEMATICAL ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS
In order to perform the duties of the Corporation Counsel position (listed above) the following mathematical skills are essential for the Corporation Counsel to possess.
 

  • Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
  • Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

In evaluating candidates for this position, Dunn County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

 

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
 

  • Physical effort will typically require infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Continuous speaking, hearing and using hands dexterously; work frequently requires sitting; and work occasionally requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms.
  • Work has standard vision requirements.
  • The physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can be characterized as minimal.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
 

  • Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, moderate traffic).

 
Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.