Associate General Counsel I-III

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our purpose is to create an exceptional airport experience for the community and the world.  We embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals.

Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that thrives on diversity and shared mindsets of collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, listening, and believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today.

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking a dynamic Associate General Counsel I-III who thrives in a varied and evolving legal environment. This position will offer the opportunity to advise and collaborate across all levels of the organization, ensuring the Authority is represented and advised with the highest professionalism. The ideal candidate will support the organization's goals with strong legal expertise and exceptional adaptability, skillfully navigating diverse scenarios with sound judgment. Enjoy a flexible telecommuting schedule and balanced workload while contributing to significant legal outcomes and maintaining compliance across the Authority’s operations.

Essential Functions:

• Conducts research on legal issues, federal and state statutory and case law, federal and state regulations and administrative interpretations; writes research memoranda and conclusions; drafts resolutions and ordinances ranging from routine to highly complex; prepares oral and written legal opinions for Authority managers and staff; drafts, reviews and finalizes legal documents and instruments; reviews and approves contracts and agreements; drafts explanatory memoranda on legal implications of complex issues; reviews departmental documents for legal sufficiency.
• Provides legal information and advice to departments on a wide range of legal issues of varying difficulty and complexity; conducts risk assessments and identifies areas of potential liability; conducts research of various regulatory and statutory schemes and develops strategies for addressing issues; provides advice and direction to ensure Authority compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; determines potential causes of action and develops strategies for cost recovery claims; develops creative solutions to legal issues and problems to satisfy differing policy objectives; determines priorities and timelines for the resolution of numerous competing legal issues.
• Assists in representing or represents the Authority in civil litigation and administrative hearings held by local, state and federal agencies; performs all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work; assists in or develops litigation strategy and alternatives, prepares briefs, drafts pleadings, motions and arguments; propounds or responds to requests for discovery and depositions in preparation for presentation of assigned cases; files motions and briefs; represents the Authority in court on cases in full or in arguing motions and presenting other matters before the court.
• Guides, educates, and assists administrative personnel and law clerks in the performance of their work within the Office of the General Counsel; conducts California Bar-recognized Continuing Legal Education courses.
• Provides training to management and staff on legal issues, including required ethics training to Board Members, the President/CEO, and Vice Presidents.
• Analyzes proposed federal and state legislation and regulations for impacts on Authority policies, practices, and operations; prepares reports of findings and conclusions; recommends revisions, amendments, and other actions.
• Negotiates settlements to litigation, claims and disputes; participates with departments in negotiating and drafting complex tenant lease agreements, public works contracts, and contracts and agreements for acquisition, use and/or development of Authority property and facilities; responds to public records requests; provides interpretations of legal provisions to citizen, media, and public official requests.
• Assists other attorneys in assigned phases of legal work on complex litigation; answers correspondence and responds to inquiries on legal matters related to Authority business, as assigned; consults with legal staff of other public agencies regarding legal issues facing the Authority.

Competencies:

1. Critical Evaluation: Define issues, perform legal research, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and develop sound conclusions and recommendations. Ensure these insights are actionable and clearly understood within the organizational context.
2. Problem-Solving/Agility Skills: Exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines and legal requirements. Interpret state and federal laws, regulations, Interpret and elucidate complex legal frameworks affecting Authority operations, facilitating practical and timely responses.
3. Leadership: Represent the Authority effectively in hearings, courts of law, negotiations, and meetings. Prepare clear and concise legal briefs, opinions, resolutions, contracts, agreements, leases, deeds, reports, correspondence, proposed legislation, and other written materials.
4. Strategic Pervasiveness: Lead with transparency and persuasion in legal and strategic communications. This includes fostering a culture of clear, effective dialogue across all levels of the organization, promoting a deeper understanding and engagement with legal processes and decisions.
5. Interpersonal Ability: Use a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals. Approach interactions with a mindset that respects diverse perspectives and seeks to achieve mutual understanding and resolution.
6. Relationship Management: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Authority management and staff, officials of other governmental agencies, outside counsel, litigants, tenants, other Authority customers and stakeholders.

Requirements

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Whether you qualify for the Associate General Counsel I, Associate General Counsel II, or Associate General Counsel III level will depend on your demonstrated expertise, skills, and performance.

The Associate General Counsel III is differentiated by handling more complex and challenging legal assignments, requiring extensive stakeholder interaction, and significant autonomy in methods and execution. The progression from Associate General Counsel I through II involves increasing complexity of legal services, greater analytical demands, enhanced client interaction, and more independent judgment, with level I being closely supervised and aimed at developing proficiency.

Required Education, Training and Experience**:

Associate General Counsel III

• Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor degree.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, preferably in a governmental setting or with municipal law focus and/or an equivalent combination of training and experience.  

Associate General Counsel II

• Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor degree.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, preferably in a governmental setting or with municipal law focus and/or an equivalent combination of training and experience.  

Associate General Counsel I

• Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor degree.
• One year of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, preferably in a governmental setting or with municipal law focus.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent legal advice.

Licenses, Certificates, Special Requirements:

• Current membership in good standing in the State Bar of California and admission to practice before State of California courts.
• A California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.

Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses:

• Advanced Certification in Public or Municipal Law

The hiring salary for the Associate General Counsel III is a minimum of $157,219.

The hiring salary for the Associate General Counsel II is a minimum of $144,510.

The hiring salary for the Associate General Counsel I is a minimum of $130,044.

Applications will be accepted through August 12, 2024.

**Lacking some of the skills or experiences we've listed? No worries! Here at the San Diego International Airport, we're on a mission to cultivate a workforce as dynamic and diverse as the community we serve. While certain roles may require specific qualifications, we understand that talent comes in many forms. Some of our positions may not require specific degrees, and we're always open to individuals who bring a willingness to learn and a commitment to excellence. If you think this could be you, we encourage you to apply, and even if this position isn't the right role for you, we will add you to our database to consider for other opportunities in the future that align with your unique knowledge and skills. There's a chance we have the perfect spot for you to land!

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.

Pay Range for this Associate General Counsel Series is $105,086 to $222,330.