Program Counsel, Sr. Director of Legal Services
Casey Family Programs, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Founded in 1966, we work in 50 states, the District of Columbia and two territories and with more than a dozen tribal nations to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live. We value diversity and respect for individuals in the workplace.
Job Summary:
Assists the Managing Directors, Senior Program Counsel in providing legal guidance and advice to Casey Family Programs (CFP) leaders, management and staff to support Casey’s programmatic and institutional goals on general corporate and tax-exempt requirements, contracts, compliance and risk mitigation, information privacy and security, employment law issues, and intellectual property (IP). This position is located at Casey Family Programs’ Headquarters in Seattle, Washington.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Provide general legal analysis, advice, and support to CFP leaders, management, and staff regarding a variety of legal, business, and operational issues. Areas of advice and support may include
o contracts and agreements;
o information management, including information privacy and security;
o private foundation issues, including policy/advocacy and direct qualifying expenses;
o employment matters;
o foster care risk management;
o business and charitable regulations and registrations;
o conflicts of interest and ethics management;
o intellectual property;
o licensing and accreditation; and
o insurance and organization risk management.
· Review, negotiate and finalize contractual agreements. This includes: (1) Child Welfare Participation Agreements, (2) Vendor Agreements, (3) Grants, (4) Jurisdiction Agreements, (5) Collaborations, and (6) other unique contract agreements. Understand aspects of contracts related to child welfare, independent contractor qualifications, signature authority limitations, and intellectual property issues. Recognize and coordinate with all implicated Casey work groups ensuring the substance of the agreement meets Casey requirements and goals.
· Act as a legal advisor and/or partner for assigned focus area program initiatives. Participate in projects at the department level as well as cross-functionally. Attend meetings to ensure awareness and understanding of program activities and collaborations/partnerships. Research engagements in regards to conflicts and risk issues; support and assist program teams in answering legal questions and addressing specific issues that arise; facilitate communications between program leads internally and with outside service providers and partners; provide assistance with designing, implementing, and managing initiatives; and partner on joint cross-functional initiatives.
· Assist in ensuring organizational compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as internal policies and procedures, including but not limited to private foundation requirements, information privacy and security, foster care licensing, organization registrations, and employment law.
· As assigned, assist Senior Program Counsel to review, evaluate, and respond to subpoenas, disputes, and legal claims. Coordinate and liaise with internal stakeholders and outside counsel in connection with such matters.
· Analyze organizational issues and assist in revising or developing responsive policies and guidelines related to CFP programs and operations, as requested by the Managing Director, Senior Program Counsel.
· Develop and provide training and educational programs on legal requirements and organizational policies to CFP leaders, management, and staff.
· As assigned, supervise legal department staff. Provide leadership opportunities for employees that enable growth and encourage leadership development with the position. Ensure that employees receive the appropriate training, feedback, performance evaluations, and planning documents as provided under the Human Resource Systems.
· Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- J.D. and 10 years of experience, preferably with in-house and supervisory experience. Experience in the areas of non-profit law or information privacy and security a plus.
- Admitted to practice to Washington State Bar.
- Demonstrated efficient, persistent and meticulous attention to detail.
- Proven ability to work independently with excellent judgment, diplomacy, and professionalism and able to prioritize requests and manage multiple requests simultaneously.
- Ability to interface, collaborate, and be a resource for all levels of management and staff, and with outside counsel, vendors and entities.
- Ability to collaborate with other Legal Services team members to deliver quality advice and work product.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated skills as a regular user, of software, technology, and online resources including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook including calendaring, task, etc).
- Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
- Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures; ability to type utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to travel to outside locations; and the ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Local travel as well as occasional out of town travel may be required. Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is required.