West Virginia Department of Agriculture
Job Title: Deputy General Counsel
Division: Executive
Headquarters: WVDA Guthrie Headquarters
Reports To: General Counsel
Supervisory
Responsibility: None
FLSA Status: Exempt
Nature of Work:
The deputy general counsel provides legal services to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the West Virginia Conservation Agency, as directed by the general counsel.
Examples of Work:
- Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and contracts.
- Ensure contracts comply with legal requirements and policies.
- Manage agreement databases, templates, and tracking systems.
- Prepare deeds, easements, deeds of trust, subordination agreements, boundary agreements, and other legal instruments.
- Conduct real estate closings for land transfers.
- Conduct or assist with administrative hearings.
- Respond to inquiries concerning laws the department is charged with enforcing.
- Perform legal research on a wide variety of legal issues, including those arising under real property law, contract law, employment law, constitutional law, federal and state administrative law, and environmental law.
- Present legal recommendations to the numerous boards under the purview of the department.
- Coordinate with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office in litigation matters involving employment disputes, real property disputes, and condemnation actions.
- Perform due diligence on real estate transactions.
- Assist with legislative rulemaking and code changes as needed.
- Provide training and educational seminars for department staff, department partners, and the public on agriculture and conservation matters.
- Provide legal advice and guidance on all matters as required.
- Negotiate and draft mineral leases.
- Other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Office environment; sitting, standing, walking, driving, lifting up to 25 pounds. Occasional travel.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in the practice areas of real property law, contract law, constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, and litigation.
- Ability to perform title examinations and other legal research.
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
- Excellent legal writing and analytical skills.
- Strong transactional skills.
- Excellent oral communication skills.
- Ability to handle confidential information with the highest degree of professional responsibility.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Graduation from a regionally accredited or an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Experience:
At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney, preferred.
Substitutions:
None.
Licenses/ Certifications:
Admission to the West Virginia State Bar within 24 months of employment.
Additional Requirements:
- Valid driver’s license is required.
- Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
- Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
- Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the West Virginia Conservation Agency.
This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner of Agriculture and designees.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.
