Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) (www.rcrcnet.org) is a forty-county member service organization that advocates on behalf of California's rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the state and federal levels, and providing innovative services to its members which will enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. Economic, community, and business development activities are implemented through one or more of RCRC’s six affiliate entities, which include three joint powers authorities, Golden State Finance Authority, Golden State Connect Authority, and Rural Counties' Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority, and three nonprofit corporations, National Homebuyers Fund, Inc., Golden State Natural Resources, Inc., and Rural Advancement Institute. RCRC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of one elected county supervisor from each of the forty member counties.
Under the direction of RCRC's General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice, counsel, and representation to the client representatives of RCRC and its affiliate entities as necessary to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. This may include, for example, such tasks as preparing and reviewing complex contracts and similar documents; providing legal advice and opinions on a variety of complex issues; formulating policy recommendations and strategies on legal matters; and coordinating legal advocacy activities regarding issues of interest to RCRC and its member counties.
Juris Doctorate and membership in good standing in the California State Bar is required.
Please send resume and cover letter to Arthur J. Wylene, General Counsel at awylene@rcrcnet.org no later than Monday, December 16, 2024.
Job Title: Deputy General Counsel
Department: Legal Affairs
Reports To: General Counsel
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $130,000 - $257,500 – Depending on experience
Workplace: In Office – Full-Time (Downtown Sacramento)
Examples of Essential Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following as directed by the General Counsel:
Serve as in-house legal counsel; analyze complex legal issues; advise the organization and senior level managers
Provide legal representation, guidance, and advice to the organization and affiliated entities on assigned management, personnel and organizational issues
Advise legislative staff on legislative and regulatory proposals, language, statutes and case law interaction and interpretation, and otherwise support legislative and regulatory advocacy activities
Consult and collaborate with member county counsels on municipal issues as appropriate
Analyze and advise the organization and its affiliated entities on issues of legal compliance in the areas of entity formation, corporate governance including public and non-profit entities, tax, risk management, insurance coverage, human resources, disclosure requirements, and others
Work with outside legal counsel as appropriate
Make public presentations to the legislative bodies of RCRC and its affiliates
Appearance in state and federal courts on behalf of RCRC and affiliated entities, including preparation of amicus briefs in matters of statewide significance to rural counties
Preform other duties as required
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Federal, state, and local governmental structures, courts, and legal processes
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including the laws applicable to public entities and tax-exempt organizations
Laws, policies, operations, and functions of the major policy and program areas of interest to the organization (e.g. land use, revenue, taxation, redevelopment, environmental, Brown Act, etc.)
Role and practice of in-house legal counsel
Principles and practice of legal research and analysis
Legislative process and effective advocacy techniques
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operations needs
Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution
Principles and practices of member associations
Proficiency with Windows environment and the following aspects of the Microsoft Office software package: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and legal resources and tools
Ability to:
Develop legal goals and objectives in support of organizational goals and objectives
Successfully perform legal assignments in the provision of a wide range of legal services
Analyze legal issues, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and advise or implement direction in support of goals
Interpret, analyze and apply federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations and case law
Interpret and apply organizational policies, procedures, rules and regulations
Develop and implement legal policies and procedures
Develop, analyze and evaluate legal and non-legal issues
Consult on legal issues and inquiries
Explain legal principles to non-attorneys
Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion
Analyze technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports; and explain and interpret policy
Exercise ownership of duties and exhibit a self-driven capacity to expand knowledge and responsibilities
Be self-motivated and independently follow through on necessary tasks
Identify and organize priorities
Manage competing demands, multiple tasks and timelines; meet deadlines
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Maintain flexibility and exhibit a positive attitude in face of shifting responsibilities, priorities and deadlines
Maintain a commitment to customer service (for both internal and external customers)
Maximize limited resources and minimize waste
Travel is needed throughout California to advance organizational goals and objectives
On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time; use standard automated office equipment and computers for extended periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and communicate through written means
Experience and Education
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Three years of experience as an attorney in public sector or local government law with a public or private sector firm (preferred)
Education:
A juris doctorate degree from an American Bar Association or California State Bar accredited law school required; major course work in public sector law, land use, non-profit or a related field is desirable
Registration:
Member in good standing of the California State Bar (required)
