Job Summary
This position (Senior General Counsel) is located within the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), Office of the Director. The incumbent serves as DHCF's senior authoritative legal and strategic advisor to the Director and has primary executive oversight of all matters within the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the agency's legal function. The position provides integrated legal leadership on significant agency decisions, establishes agency-wide legal priorities, ensures accountability for the quality and timeliness of legal services, and advises on complex and sensitive legal, regulatory, governance, policy, and operational issues. The incumbent exercises broad discretion and independent professional judgment in making recommendations to the Director on matters with substantial programmatic, financial, legal, intergovernmental, or reputational implications.
Duties and Responsibilities
Exercises primary executive oversight, direction, and accountability for the DHCF Office of General Counsel and all agency legal functions. The incumbent supervises subordinate legal leadership and may delegate administrative and operational responsibilities while retaining ultimate oversight and accountability for the office. Serves as the principal legal advisor to the Director, providing authoritative counsel on complex, sensitive, and high-impact legal, regulatory, and policy matters affecting agency operations. Directs the legal, policy, and regulatory functions of the Office of General Counsel, setting strategic priorities, operational standards, and performance expectations for attorneys and support staff.
Oversees legal review and approval of major legislation, regulations, contracts, agreements, and executive initiatives to ensure legal sufficiency, compliance, and alignment with agency and District objectives. Identifies and evaluates significant legal, operational, and institutional risks; recommends strategies to mitigate exposure and support executive decision-making. Provides senior-level guidance on complex personnel, labor relations, disciplinary, administrative, and compliance matters, ensuring adherence to federal and District laws and policies. Leads and coordinates high-profile legal matters, investigations, disputes, and intergovernmental engagements, working closely with agency leadership, external counsel, and federal and District legal authorities. Oversee preparations and delivery of executive-level legal opinions, briefings, testimony, and responses to legislative, oversight, and stakeholder inquiries. Represents the Director and agency leadership on significant legal and policy issues and directs special legal and strategic initiatives consistent with the position's executive responsibilities.
Qualifications and Education
Must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment.
Must have at least ten (10) years of post J.D. professional legal experience and demonstrated ability to manage and supervise a legal staff.
Licenses and Certifications
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 position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.
Working Conditions/ Environment: The work is performed in a typical office setting.
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM
Duration of Appointment: Legal Service Supervisory
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LX-0905-03
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential
Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is NOT represented by a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: The position has been deemed security-sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.
Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
