Job Announcement

The County Attorney's Office is seeking an attorney with high-quality legal knowledge and skills; proven transactional experience drafting and negotiating contract documents; solid litigation and trial experience; and proficiency in researching, writing, and public speaking, who enjoys having a wide variety of challenging legal work.

The position is in the Office of the County Attorney's General Law Section. The successful applicant will counsel and represent the County on all government contract matters, such as contracts for the procurement of goods, equipment, software, and services, including negotiating and drafting contract documents, bid protests, claims, and disputes litigation. Additional subject area responsibilities that may be assigned to attorneys within the General Law Section include County government powers and procedures and specialized subject matter areas such as leases and licenses, local and regional transportation, local taxation, construction law, bankruptcy, public financing, utility rate regulation cases, and legislative changes at the state and local levels.

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 2020, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) announced that it had awarded its Certificate of Excellence to Fairfax County for the twelfth consecutive year. The County is among only 25 jurisdictions across the nation recognized by ICMA for this prestigious award - the organization's highest level of recognition.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• 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:

• 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 in the practice of civil law in the employ of a municipal or county government, or acceptable equivalent experience. Litigation experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
License to practice law in the state of Virginia.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated experience in government procurement and experience in general local government law, including contracts, local taxation, public financing, and local and state legislative matters. Excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check.
• The appointee to the position must complete a Statement of Economic Interest form prior to starting work.
• All positions allocated to the County Attorney series are under the Fairfax County Merit System of personnel administration and are limited to full-time employment and preclude the private practice of law. However, the phrase "private practice of law" does not include the provision of pro bono public legal services in a pro bono legal services program approved by the County Attorney and in accordance with the policy of the County Attorney governing participation in an approved program.
• All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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. Employee may be required to lift up to 15 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

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. EEO/AA/TTY.