JOB INFORMATION

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; hours to include regular office hours (8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.) and occasional evening hours to attend County Executive, County Council and other County meetings; full-benefits

This professional position will assist in providing legal advice and representation to Frederick County officials and employees and County boards, commissions, divisions and agencies. As needed, this position will represent the County in litigation in which the County is a party or in which the County is involved including civil code enforcement. There is considerable contact with high-level County officials for the purpose of providing legal services and advice. Direction may be given to support staff; supervision is received from the County Attorney.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interpret and advise on enforcement of County, State and Federal laws
• Draft laws, rules and regulations for Frederick County, Maryland
• Prepare real estate documents, contracts, and other legal documents
• Analyze legal issues and recommend disposition; prepare and conduct litigation at all levels in the courts; and recommend appeals or settlement on the basis of professional evaluation of the nature and implications of the proceeding
• Provide legal counsel to County officials and employees, boards, commissions, divisions, and agencies
• Attend meetings of County boards and agencies, as well as meet with County staff and the general public who are conducting business with Frederick County Government
• Respond to citizen inquiries
• Attend County Council meetings
• Handle litigation in District and Circuit Courts and administrative appeals to the circuit and appellate courts and recommend appeals or settlement on the basis of professional evaluation of the nature and implications of the proceeding
• Research legal issues
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  Graduation from an accredited law school
• Current admission to and in good standing with the Bar of the State of Maryland
• Minimum 5 years practicing attorney work experience or 3 years work experience providing legal service to a State, County, or Municipal government
• NOTE: Applicants who possess the following requirements, may be hired into the Senior Assistant County Attorney classification (starting wage = $98,220 per year). Minimum 10 years practicing attorney work experience to include at least 4 years governmental or administrative law experience, human resources, ethics law, and public information act

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of legal research methods, principles and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and County laws impacting on the operation of County government
• Knowledge of the political process at the State and County level
• Knowledge of administrative procedure, court procedures and pleadings and of effective techniques in the trial of cases in court
• Ability to effectively understand and analyze applicable law and relevant facts and present logical conclusions from this analysis
• Discretion and good judgment in working with sensitive information, with ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Ability to make quick and well-reasoned case decisions under pressured circumstances
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, media representatives, other government officials and the general public
• Ability to effectively access and use computerized systems and equipment
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including public speaking skills

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Governmental or administrative law experience, human resources, ethics law, and public information act experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is expected to constantly sit, frequently perform repetitive motions, and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is expected to constantly work indoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation for Court dates, meetings and other commitments
• Available for evening hours, as needed, for meetings or other assignments
• This is a full-time position. No outside practice of law is allowed

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) One or more interviews
3) Writing sample
4) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.