GENERAL COUNSEL

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.   

General Definition of Work:

As directed by the County Manager, the General Counsel oversees and supervises all aspects of internal day-to-day legal matters related to the organization, governance, management and ongoing services provided by Cabarrus County. Performs difficult professional work providing legal assistance to county departments including the Register of Deeds and Sheriff's Office. Work performed under the general supervision of the County Manager.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:

Responding to legal inquiries; rendering legal assistance and opinions; litigating cases; drafting and reviewing legal documents; maintaining records and files; preparing reports. (These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Act as primary point-of-contact for all county departments, including the Register of Deeds, Sheriff’s Office, and Board of Elections on legal matters. 
• Represent the County in court; argues cases.
• Serve as conflict counsel for DSS cases; supervise/assist DSS Staff Attorney in child support enforcement and establishment cases, adult protective services and guardianship matters, and related cases. 
• Draft and file motions and petitions.
• Draft policies and procedures and conduct staff-wide training on changes in laws, polices and regulations.
• Draft resolutions, regulations, special legislation, and ordinances. 
• Receive and respond to legal questions and research requests from all areas of County government.
• Draft and review contracts for all County departments.
• Consult with County Attorney and outside counsel retained by County departments as appropriate. 
• Review public records requests and redacts any responsive records.
• Serve as legal counsel in enforcement matters for planning and building inspections.
• Consult with staff to prepare for quasi-judicial hearings before the Board of Adjustment and the Board of Equalization and Review.
• Assist the Planning & Zoning Commission. 
• Attendance at all meetings of the Board of Commissioners in the capacity of in-house legal counsel. 
• Oversee staff attorneys, paralegals, and administrative professionals. 
• Perform related tasks as required.

GENERAL COUNSEL 

Minimum Education / Experience requirements

Education and Experience:

Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Association of Law Schools and seven (7) years practicing law in a local government in North Carolina; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. North Carolina county experience is highly desirable. Requires a North Carolina State Bar License, valid North Carolina Driver License, and good record. 

Special Requirements:

Licensed to practice law and in good standing in the State of North Carolina and possession of all other qualifications as prescribed by State Statute. Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the state of North Carolina

Physical Requirements: 

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, and fingering; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Supplemental Information

Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence.  Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.  Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

 Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. 

Processing applications will take an average of 6 – 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received.  It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.   For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 704-920-2200.