Description

Position Summary

The Law Department seeks a licensed attorney with a minimum of 9 years of experience to direct the ComplianceUnit, which provides counseling and representation on issues involving compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and risk mitigation strategies to City departments and officials with a focus on the following high-need areas: 

• Children and Families: advising the Department of Human Services, Parks and Recreation, and the Free Library, and the Office of Youth Ombudsperson.
• Health and Public Safety: advisingthe Managing Director’s Office, the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services, the Department of Health, the Public Safety Director’s Office, the Department of Prisons, and the Police Department. The unit also works with the Office of Emergency Management. 
• Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act: advisingthe Office of Homeless Services, the Streets Department, the Office of Human Relations and other City departments and offices.
• Grantscompliance: including guidance on federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders.
• Elections compliance: advisingthe Board of Electionsand the City Commissioners on elections related matters in conjunction with the Affirmative and Special Litigation Unit.  
• Sunshine Act: advising about complianceregardingdeliberations and public actions, including mandatesforpublicnotice of meetings, opportunities for public comment, and open voting, with limited exceptions for executiveaction.

Essential Functions

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

• Leadership & Management: Supervises attorneys in numerous, widely varied substantive areas in a growing unit of the Law Department and currently oversees the work of 5 attorneys. 
• Strategic Advisory: Provides high-level legal counsel to the Department of Human Services, DBHIDS, Parks and Recreation, Free Library, Department of Public Safety, Prisons, Police, Office of People with Disabilities and other city departments and agencies 
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Adviseon policies, agency strategies and initiatives, directives, and other mattersimpactingthe legal liability of the City; Implements, executes, and manages the Compliance Unit’s activities, specifically monitoring and oversight of City agencies; Leads ongoing risk assessments of clients’ compliance policies and procedures. 
• Coordination: Interacts with Law Department leadership, City officials and handles legal matters associated with major licensure regulations, and the legal impact of administrative and operational issues.

Requirements

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Preferred 3+years compliance experience with governmental or corporate entity
• Expertise in several of the substantive areas, and demonstrated ability to learn and lead work in diverse topics 
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team of attorneys and lead a legal unit 
• Demonstrated ability to manage numerous complex and time-critical projects simultaneously 
• Excellent communication skills for dealing with city officials, stakeholders, and staff 
• Stay informed of relevant legal and regulatory changes in the law andanticipatepossible impactson theCity. 
• Fosterandmaintaina collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that values all forms of diversity 
• Participatein external efforts to raise the profile of the Unit and the Law Department 
• Develop andupdatea rigorous training program for new attorneys 
• Qualified candidates must be hard-working, organized, attend to detail, and have an eager, helpful attitude 
• Knowledge of City procedures is a plus 
• Excellent time management skills 
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Ability to work in a demanding and fast-paced setting 
• Ability to work productively individually and collaboratively 

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• The candidate will have at least 9 years of experience in legal counsel and advice and/or compliance work.
• At least four years’ supervisory and management experience on major projects, including proven capabilities and communication skills to successfully interact with clients and attorneys.
• Candidates must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and must either be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or currently eligible to be admitted by reciprocity to practice in Pennsylvania (Pa.B.A.R. 204). Continued employment of attorneys not admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six (6) months of hire is at the discretion of the Law Department. 

Work Location & Onsite Expectations

This position is designated as fully onsite, and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.

Who Thrives in This Role

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making real-time decisions, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment.

Additional Information

Did you know?

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.  Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more. 
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program-qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility for the discounted medical plan.
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options are available. 

Interested candidates should apply through SmartRecruiters: https://smrtr.io/zK4KF 

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Andrew Richman, Chair, Compliance and Legislation Group ([email protected]).

The successful candidate must be a resident of the City of Philadelphia within 6 months of hire.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information, or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx