General Counsel



Job Details

General Counsel
Employer

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

CA 95134-1927, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01258

Department

Office of General Counsel

Opening Date

03/16/2018

Job Description

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) seeks a highly qualified General Counsel.  

The Position
Under policy direction of the VTA Board of Directors, the General Counsel serves as the Chief Legal Officer of VTA; performs highly responsible and professional legal work as the executive legal advisor to VTA; and organizes, coordinates, and directs the activities of the Office of the General Counsel.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This single-position class serves under direction of the VTA Board of Directors.   The incumbent manages legal and clerical staff, personally handles sensitive and complex legal matters, and renders legal advice and opinions to the VTA Board of Directors, the General Manager, and executive management.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal General Counsel candidate will have unquestioned ethics and integrity and be able to work collaboratively with the General Manager while remaining independent and objective.  In addition to being able to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents, the candidate will also be able to present them clearly in oral, written, and legal form.  The candidate will have a strong ability to draft legal instruments and other pertinent documents and make effective court and hearing presentations.  The General Counsel will be able to maintain professional relationships with VTA personnel, external attorneys, outside officials, the general public, and coordinate with the legal counsel of other agencies.

The Organization
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of the Silicon Valley region.  VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.  As the county's congestion management agency, VTA is also responsible for countywide transportation planning and capital project delivery, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.  VTA provides these services throughout Santa Clara County, including the municipalities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale.

VTA was created in 1972 pursuant to the Santa Clara County Transit District Act.  Effective December 1, 1994, VTA became the Congestion Management Agency in Santa Clara County, undertaking the responsibility for countywide transportation planning and funding and for managing the county's blueprint to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

Working under the direction of a 12-member Board of Directors composed of county and city representatives, VTA has a $475 million annual operating budget (FY'18).  VTA's low-floor bus fleet serves a 326 square mile urbanized area.  The 42.2 mile light rail system is operated with a fleet of 99 low-floor light rail vehicles.  VTA has approximately 2,300 employees.

For additional information or to submit a resume for this exceptional opportunity, please contact Gregg A. Moser at gmoser@krauthamerinc.com or upload your resume at http://www.krauthamerinc.com/contact/resume/
 

 

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option.

As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA):

  • Classic Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
  • New Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.

All AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/12 pay 7% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employee’s bi-weekly salary.

Employer
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Address
3331 North First Street, Bldg. B-1

San Jose, California, 95134-1927
Phone
(408)321-5575