Closing Date: 9th July, 2024

Description:

General Job Information
Job Summary:
This position is located in the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA), Office of Open Government (OOG). The mission of OOG is to promote open and transparent government operations in an effort to provide District citizens with greater access to information about how government officials make and implement decisions. OOG is responsible for ensuring that public bodies comply with the D.C. Open Meetings Act (OMA); and for providing advisory guidance on the D.C. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). OOG is seeking the services of an Attorney Advisor who is dedicated to ensuring government transparency. This attorney will be principally responsible for ensuring that public bodies that have decision-making responsibilities concerning D.C. Public Schools adhere to the OMA. This attorney will also be responsible for rendering legal advice on FOIA to government agencies, government officials, and the public, on behalf of OOG.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The function of this position is to serve as Attorney Advisor, responsible for providing expert legal advice to BEGA, the Chief Counsel, and the Director of Open Government. The work involves advising District personnel on FOIA matters; investigating alleged OMA violations; and supporting other agencies on open government matters. Attorneys within OOG handle a variety of related matters concerning government transparency. This position also serves as OOG's Education Attorney and is the primary contact for legal matters related to D.C. public schools. This position interprets and renders advice on open government laws and regulations that pertain to District of Columbia public schools and advises and trains education-related public bodies, including Local School Advisory Teams and D.C. Public Charter School Boards of Trustees.

The Attorney-Advisor serves as subject matter expert in D.C. FOIA and provides written and oral legal advice to D.C. FOIA officers and the public on matters involving the implementation of D.C. FOIA. Maintains an understanding and awareness of the District of Columbia's information technology solutions in support of electronic production and processing of records to improve FOIA efficiencies.Prepares reports on the number and disposition of complaints, and the number and type of formal and informal requests for advice. Provides and coordinates training on compliance with OMA and FOIA laws and regulations to agency officials, public bodies, and District government employees, through workshops and seminars. There is substantial contact and engagement with government agencies and officials and individual members of the public. Works on legal matters, as directed, and performs other duties assigned.

Qualifications and Education:
Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. A minimum of 2 years of specialized experience at or equivalent to the LA-12 grade level, or its non District equivalent. Experiencein open records law, open meetings law, or education law is required with education law must include exposure to administrative matters related to public schools and private schools and/or legal representation of schools, school districts, or universities. Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized expereince at the next lower grade level that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills, and abiliites (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related the position to be filled.

License and Certification:
The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her/their employment in the Legal Service. If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to their appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her/their completed District of Columbia bar application has been submitted to the District of Columbia Bar.