General Counsel

Nature of Work 
Under the direction of the DHHR General Counsel in close collaboration with the State Health Officer and Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health (“BPH” or “Bureau”), performs advanced and complex legal work related to the laws impacting BPH programs and any additional applicable laws. Performs related work as required. This position serves as the General Counsel for the Bureau and is located in the BPH Commissioner’s office.

Examples of Work

• Serves as principal legal advisor to the State Health Officer and Commissioner as well as to Bureau and program leadership.
• Assists in the development of Bureau policy that properly aligns with the strategic vision and goals of the agency and public health more broadly.
• Works closely with federal, state, and local government agencies and non-governmental entities to keep abreast of public health law, proactively guide policy, and help plan use of state resources and assets wisely in order to address public health opportunities, issues, and concerns.
• Plans and oversees special projects at the request of the Commissioner to evaluate the effectiveness of policies, propose alternative solutions, and recommend appropriate actions for improvement.
• Reviews and approves a variety of contracts, MOUs/MOAs and other agreements.
• Provides recommendations and guidance to Bureau leadership and employees on records management, FOIAs, litigation discovery, enforcement, privileged correspondence, and other related administration and support.
• Performs legal research and provides legal recommendations to the Commissioner and WV DHHR General Counsel.
• With the input of subject matter experts, researches, drafts, reviews, updates, maintains, and explains agency related legislation and legislative rules aimed at protecting and advancing the health of the public and upholding the regulatory responsibilities of the agency.
• Provides legal research and guidance in preparation for and in response to public health emergencies.
• Drafts, reviews, and fields response to inquiries about legal orders of the agency (e.g., environmental, regulatory, cease and desist, etc.)
• Reviews, compiles, and drafts response to Bureau Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
• In conjunction with DHHR General Counsel and Legislative Affairs Counsel, guides Commissioner and staff on legislative process and strategy.
• Represents the Bureau before legislative committees to advocate legislation and policy initiatives.
• Guides in drafting response to legislative inquiries.
• Responds to inquiries from local, state, and federal agencies as required.
• Undertakes and directs legal research.
• Consults with other attorneys on behalf of the Bureau and in the interest of public health.
• Represents the Commissioner as necessary or directed with external organizations both orally and in writing, including frequent contacts with governmental officials, legislators and their staff, lobbyists, representatives of the regulated community, business leaders, and state residents.
• Advises the Commissioner and client regarding complex legal issues related to laws impacting DHHR/BPH.
• Performs highly responsible legal work in connection with criminal and civil law, public health law, health care law, environmental law, etc., as well as the intersection with and impact of other laws, rules, and policies with the potential to impact health and safety of individuals and communities.
• Determines further appeal of contested cases and makes recommendations to supervisor concerning final clearance.
• Consults with agency staff on compliance issues, the interpretation of court opinions and statutes, the application of rules and regulations, and related matters where a serious legal issue is involved.
• Participates as an active member of Bureau for Public Health Executive and Leadership teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state statutes, administrative rules, court opinions, and Attorney General opinions.
• Knowledge of general law.
• Knowledge of judicial procedure, legislative procedure, and bill and rule preparation.
• Knowledge of government operation.
• Skill in written and oral communication.
• Ability to engage in, contribute to, and lead cross-disciplinary teams and initiatives.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, and present such materials in a clear and logical form for oral or written presentation.
• Ability to perform complex legal work in the drafting of legal instruments, proposed legislation, and legal opinions.

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested persons must submit the following application materials to DHHRJobs@wv.gov:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Professional References (at least three, with current contact information)
  Deadline to apply is April 18, 2022.