Assistant Counsel (Attorney), Grant Services Specialist III - Department of Housing & Community Development

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION 

Salary Range: $67,687.00 - $117,791.00 Annually 

Hiring Salary Range: $67,687.00 - $97,739.00 Annually 

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits   

NOTE: GRANT POSITIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS  

Job Summary:   

The Environmental Law group provides sound legal advice and counsel to Baltimore City Departments and agencies regarding environmental law, but more specifically, the Department of Public Works in response to claims, litigation, subpoenas, Public Information Act requests. The majority of the matters handled in the LRA group are in the defense of the DPW (claims, litigation), and advisement on routine administrative violations, including stormwater, erosion and sediment control violations. 

Essential Functions: 

• Prepare and try cases on behalf of the Baltimore City/DHCD in the Circuit Court and District Court of the City of Baltimore, State Appellate Court and possibly Federal courts. 

• Conduct legal research and provide legally sound advice to residents/property owners. 

• Defend DHCD in suits brought against the municipality in the Circuit Court and District Court; prepare briefs, interrogatives, motions and other legal case documents. 

• Attend and represent the interests of DHCD at hearing before boards, commissions, unions and various public and private organizations and groups. 

• Stays abreast of changes in policy, regulations and legislation that impact environmental regulations for the City of Baltimore/DHCD; advises on the scope of impact and may draft a response. 

• Investigate facts, develop litigation strategies; research and draft motions, pleadings and position statements. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

Education: Have a law degree from an accredited college or university and admission to the Bar of the State of Maryland. 

AND  

Experience: Have 1-3 years of experience in trial work, legal writing, and/or municipal law and practice before Circuit and District courts. 

OR  

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience. Non- supervisory experience or education may not be substituted for the required supervisory experience. 

Licenses, Registrations, and Certificates: Have a valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver's license or an equivalent driver's license and eligible to obtain a Baltimore City driver’s permit. PROVISIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE OR LEARNER PERMITS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.  

NOTE: YOU MUST UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE WITH APPLICATION AT TIME OF APPLYING.  

**APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please submit your application no later than 12:00 AM on the closing date to be eligible for consideration. ** 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:  

• Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures. 

• Knowledge (where required) of public health services and practices. 

• Knowledge (where required) of specified oral and written non-English language grammar, spelling and punctuation and associated cultural idioms, customs and norms. 

• Knowledge of research techniques and methodology. 

• Skill in grant writing and grant administration. 

• Skill in formulating public policies                        

• Skill in coordinating responses from multiple public and private agencies, institutions and community resource organizations. 

• Skill (where required) in speaking, reading and writing a specified non-English language and interacting within associated cultural idioms, customs and norms.                                    

• Ability to plan, implement and administer a high-level, high profile special initiative program or project.                                            

• Ability to establish and maintain effective liaisons with people of varied backgrounds, including clients, families, neighbors, government representatives and officials and public and private community institutions, service providers and personnel. 

•  Ability to deal with emergency or crisis situations with calm, tact and dispatch. 

•  Ability to promote program activities. 

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 

• Supervisory experience. 

• Administrative experience. 

Background Check   

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed.  

Probation  

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory six-month probation.  

Financial Disclosure  

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.   

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.  

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER