Cannabis Special Counsel Departmental For Portland Police Department Jobs

REQUIRED - A City of Portland On-line Application is required to be submitted to Apply. Please see link below.

SPECIAL COUNSEL - DEPARTMENTAL COUNSEL FOR THE PORTLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT -

Corporation Counsel Office

The City of Portland’s Office of Corporation Counsel seeks a well-qualified, highly motivated attorney to serve as departmental counsel (“DC”) for the Portland Police Department (“PPD”) as a Special Counsel (the PPD-DC). The PPD-DC will serve as a lawyer within the Office of Corporation Counsel. PPD-DC also must work closely with Department commanders, the City Manager, police officers and civilian personnel. The PPD-DC will provide complex professional legal services and serve in a leadership and management role. The City of Portland is committed to providing its citizens an effective, professional, and accountable police force. We are seeking an attorney who is eager to play a high-level and impactful role in helping us continue to realize that commitment. The ideal candidate will have significant experience as a counselor and/or advocate in one or more of the following areas: public sector law, criminal justice, and civil rights litigation. A working knowledge of municipal law basics, such as the Freedom of Access Act and the Home Rule Act is a plus. The ability to develop proficiency in new areas of law and general municipal law is essential, as is the ability to work effectively in a diverse environment.

About the Office - The Office of Corporation Counsel provides advice and counsel to the Mayor, City Council, the City Manager, and all City departments, boards and commissions in a wide variety of areas including land use, real estate, personnel, elections, conflicts of interest, municipal finance, retirement, housing, public contracting and economic development. The Office of Corporation Counsel also advocates for the City’s interests in claims and lawsuits litigated in state or federal court, complex civil rights actions, breach of contract, personnel disputes, eminent domain actions, and alleged Constitutional violations. The work is high profile, dynamic, collaborative, and complex. And the work is of vital importance to the City’s realization of its progressive policies and programs, and to the City’s delivery of services to Portland’s residents and businesses.

Job Duties - Duties may include but are not limited to: Assisting the Department in evaluating its policies and practices to identify opportunities for improvement, including but not limited to advising the Department in its reviews of pursuits and uses of force and advising on the collection and utilization of data on vehicle and pedestrian stops. Assisting the Department in improving the delivery of police services and fostering community trust through insightful and innovative changes to policies, including policies on uses of force, vehicle pursuits, body-worn cameras, protests, and searches and seizures. Overseeing the Department’s responses to civil and criminal motions, requests, court orders, subpoenas, and record requests. Supporting the compliance and enforcement efforts of the Department and the Office of Permitting and Inspections’ Marijuana Division as they implement the City’s Cannabis Ordinance. Support will include, but not be limited to, enforcement litigation. Working with federal courts, state courts, prosecutors, defense counsel, and outside law enforcement agencies on various issues involving the Department. Attending standing, regular meetings with the Chief of Police and executive commanders at the Department’s headquarters. Advising the Department on recognized national best practices and its handling of major and critical incidents, including marches, protests and natural disasters. Providing updates and advice and counsel on legal and regulatory developments that impact the Department. Researching and writing legal opinions. Routinely collaborating with the City’s Risk Manager, and in-house attorneys to provide timely, comprehensive and practical advice on a wide range of issues. Collaborating with the City’s Risk Manager and in-house attorneys to coordinate services provided by outside counsel hired to represent the City in civil litigation arising from police operations. Collaboration occurs frequently in the areas of discipline and accountability, public records and transparency, civilian oversight, and risk management. Skillfully and professionally presenting legal advice to the City Manager, City Council (including in closed session), Chief of Police, Department Command staff, and lay people, and defending legal analyses. Trained on the records management and BWC systems for search and retrieval of data. Corporation Counsel may assign the selected attorney to new, additional or different duties or practice areas in the future. The Special Counsel may receive general supervision and/or direction from the head of the office’s Labor and Employment Division.

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible work experience in one or more relevant areas of law. Candidates must have excellent writing and oral presentation skills. Domestic violence, criminal and civil proceedings practice preferred.

Education: Graduate of an accredited law school.

License or Certificate: A member in good standing of the Maine State Bar.

Additional Desirable Skills: Working knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws affecting City governance, particularly laws related to open meetings and public records. Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

This position is a contract, project position and includes a full benefits package. The incumbent will serve at the pleasure of Corporation Counsel. Salary range: $103,560 to $131,218/annually, with excellent benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY – Please complete a City of Portland online application form and upload cover letter and resume materials, see the link below. Candidates selected to proceed in the hiring process will be asked to submit additional information (e.g., a writing sample, references, answers to supplemental questions).

Accepting applications until the vacancy is filled.

REQUIRED - A City of Portland On-line Application is required to be submitted to Apply with Cover Letter and Resume uploaded to application. Please click the link below to Apply (or copy this URL to your browser):

https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=255&sreq=2&form=5000&desc=SPECIAL%20COUNSEL%20FOR%20PORTLAND%20POLICE

City Benefits

Permanent employees receive a generous benefits package that includes paid holidays; employee health insurance; sick and vacation leave; optional life, dental, vision and income protection insurances; choice of retirement plans; and tuition reduction program with the University of Southern Maine and Thomas College.

The City of Portland is strongly committed to diversity in its workforce.

Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

***COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate*** For the safety of our employees and our constituents, the City of Portland requires that new employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of employment. Candidates may request an accommodation for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs at the conditional offer stage.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $103,560.00 - $131,218.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location

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