Associate General Counsel - National Academy of Sciences

Job Description Summary:

The National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.

Summary: Provides legal advice and assistance for the corporate organization (National Academy of Sciences, which includes the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Research Council) on a range of legal issues and policy matters. Handles a variety of routine to complex legal projects. Leads or provides legal research to support the National Academies' internal and/or external activities and interests. Drafts and reviews legal documents. Provides legal interpretation to National Academies' management and staff in connection with National Academies' legal and related business issues.

Requiring in-depth legal knowledge, the incumbent performs work intellectual and analytical in nature, handling complex legal matters that impact the objectives and operating results of the organization. Serves as an expert resource to staff on legal issues. Collaborates and works closely with the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel. Responsible for mentoring and coaching paralegal staff and assisting with problem resolution.

Responsibilities:

Counsel and Advice: Provides advice and counsel on personnel and employment matters, employee benefits, federal and state labor and workplace laws and regulations, and intellectual property matters including trademark and copyright matters. Supervises and manages the work of outside counsel on these matters. Provides legal advice regarding contract issues and issues related to the National Academies' ownership, licensing, or leasing of property. Provides advice and counsel to the Office of Contracts and Grants and the Procurement Office on public contract law and negotiation and interpretation of government contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements and on other public and private awards. Provides legal advice and counsel to program and financial managers on a variety of institutional issues, including tax reporting, intellectual property, insurance, and security issues. Responsible for numerous areas of administrative law, including compliance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and restrictions on the handling of classified and sensitive but unclassified information.

Provides advice and counsel on the requirements of FACA, provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, national security statutes and regulations, the Privacy Act, and government agencies' rules and regulations on release of information. Drafts and negotiates nondisclosure agreements to ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures under Section 15 of FACA. Drafts Section 15 determinations. Provides legal advice on a range of intellectual property matters, including copyright and trademark. Drafts licenses and permissions for use of intellectual property.

Legal Research and Representation: Assists in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing leases, subleases, and contracts. Analyzes contracts and other legal documents in order to protect the interests of the institution. Develops uniform templates for certain contract and grant matters. Drafts and recommends modifications as needed. Performs legal research and analysis. Reviews and prepares legal reports. Coordinates and supervises outside attorneys on specific matters as required. Responsible for the oversight and management of the annual charitable solicitation registrations.

Collaboration: Develops and sustains ongoing working relationships and collaborates effectively with colleagues across the organization and with constituents outside of the organization (e.g., volunteers and sponsors) to share ideas and expertise in areas requiring interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. Recommends and develops ways to further strengthen collaboration at the Academies. Fosters an environment that emphasizes and values sharing knowledge across program and administrative organizational groups as well as broad participation in building consensus.

Confidentiality: When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others. Accesses privileged and confidential information for work-related reasons only, following the policies and procedures of the organization. Ensures that any privileged, sensitive, or confidential information is securely stored, disposed of, and transmitted according to the Institutional guidance. Ensures procedures are in place to maintain and protect confidentiality and to prevent disclosure. Trains and updates staff/members on these issues periodically.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.
• Knowledge of the regulatory framework applicable to government contractors and the non-profit sector.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work within a complex organizational structure and with outside counsel and constituents outside of the organization.
• Ability to manage and maintain privileged, sensitive, and confidential information and corporate matters appropriately.
• Ability to solve intellectual problems of substantial variety and complexity using originality and ingenuity.
• Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems.
• Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgment and action.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment.

Education/Training Requirements: Juris Doctorate.

Experience: Six years of related professional experience.

Licenses, Certification or Registration: Admission to the District of Columbia Bar.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Other Details:

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to General Counsel. General direction is provided.

Work Environment: Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 40%. Periodic increases in the workload and deadlines of the office will require additional onsite time. Occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site locations. Some business travel outside of the DMV may be required.

Compensation Range: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $126,880 - $198,250. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.

The National Academies' Statement on Diversity and Inclusion: We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact. We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer: It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Disclaimer: The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family: LEGL

Employee Type: Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5

City/State: Washington, District of Columbia