Assistant County Attorney V

Job Announcement

The County Attorney’s Office is looking for an attorney with high-quality legal knowledge and skills, solid litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts, proficiency in researching, writing, and public speaking, and who enjoys a wide variety of challenging legal work and wants to be a part of a dynamic team supporting county initiatives and shaping the future of Fairfax County.

The position is in the Office of the County Attorney’s Personnel Section, which represents Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, and county agencies. (The successful applicant will represent the county on multiple subject matter areas, such as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act, alleged civil rights violations, employment law, constitutional law, compensation, collective bargaining, and unfair labor practices.) Solid litigation and trial experience are required, with a demonstrated ability to handle a case from inception to completion. The successful candidate will personally handle litigation in state and federal courts and before state administrative agencies such as the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Virginia Employment Commission. The successful applicant will represent county agencies in employee grievances and in matters before the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission. This position will also provide an opportunity to analyze proposed policy and legislation and determine the possible effect on the county and its programs and provides a great opportunity to work in a collegial atmosphere on a variety of issues involving the interplay of federal, state, and local law.

This position is designated as confidential under the county’s Collective Bargaining Ordinance. This position assists and acts in a confidential capacity to persons who formulate, determine, and effectuate management policies with regard to labor relations.

Fairfax County’s Office of the County Attorney functions as in-house counsel to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, department heads, division directors, and other employees.

Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia with more than 1.1 million residents and more than 12,000 employees. Fairfax County government is widely recognized as a superior government organization. In 2021, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) announced that it had awarded its Certificate of Excellence to Fairfax County. The County is among only 31 jurisdictions across the nation recognized by ICMA in 2021 for its superior efforts and results in performance measurement and management with this award - the organization’s highest level of recognition.

County employees are eligible for superb benefits. Highlights of the county’s benefits packages are a defined-benefit pension plan; a deferred compensation plan (457); access to medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, and generous leave policies. The county operates a licensed Employee Child Care Center in the Government Center complex; all employees are automatically enrolled in the Employee Assistance Program; and the county operates a workforce wellness program to help employees and their families stay well during the workday and beyond. Employees are allowed to telework up to three days per week.

Note: Applicants must include a writing sample attached to their application to be considered for this position.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

( The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the sources of legal reference;
  
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of law;
  
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and court decisions affecting the practice of the law at the county level;
  
• Ability to learn Fairfax County ordinances and resolutions;
  
• Ability to analyze facts and reach logical conclusions;
  
• Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing;
  
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, County officials and the public.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four years of experience as a practicing attorney.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
License to practice law in the state of Virginia.
For specific, specialized County Attorney positions, at the request of the County Attorney, the Human Resources Director may approve consideration of candidates who are members of a Bar Association in a state other than Virginia. For these approved positions, membership in the Virginia State Bar must be obtained within 9 months of hire.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
• The appointee to the position must complete a Statement of Economic Interest form prior to starting work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three or more years of litigation experience in employment law, constitutional law, personal injury, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and alleged civil rights violations.
• Three or more years of experience in federal court preferably the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division.
• Excellent research, writing and public speaking skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to travel to various locations throughout Fairfax County to provide coverage, attend meetings and trainings. Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-AL1