Job Announcements
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Retirement Plan
CTA Retiree Health Care Trust
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Retirement Plan and the CTA Retiree Health Care Trust have posted a new position for an in-house General Counsel and Assistant Executive Director for both Funds. The position can be either full-time or part-time. The link is http://www.ctaretirement.org/.
ASSOCIATE LEGAL COUNSEL
ASSOCIATE LEGAL COUNSEL for a
______________________________________________________________________________________________
TITLE: LEGAL COUNSEL – PENSIONS
POSITION NUMBER: 61403818
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ADMINISTRATION
LOCATION:
PAY BAND: 7
STARTING SALARY: $52,070 to $65,088 DOQ
STATUS: PERMANENT/FULL-TIME
This position provides comprehensive legal services on complex legal issues to the PER Board and MPERA management, under the supervision of a chief legal counsel. For a complete vacancy announcement see our website at https://svc.mt.gov/statejobsearch/listingdetails.aspx?id=3256 To create and manage your State Job Application see our website at http://www.mt.gov/statejobs/statejobs.asp Application deadline: Monday July 12, 2010. Cover letter, resume and supplemental questions required.
Penny Killham
Office of Human Resources
Dept. of Administration
125 N Roberts Rm. 102
406-444-3180
Fax 406-444-6194
______________________________________________________________________________________________
TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM of
Job Vacancy Notice - Employment
(512) 542-6490 or 1-800-223-8778, ext. 6490
TDD Numbers (512) 542-6444 or 1-800-841-4497
Fax Number (512) 542-6571
Internet: www.trs.state.tx.us
Agency Working Title: Assistant General Counsel 1 or 2 (Benefits)
Job Vacancy Number: 10-054
State Classification/Salary Group/FLSA: 3522/General Counsel III/B27 or
3523/Geneal Counsel IV/B29/Exempt
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications, but not less than $6,176.50 monthly
Opening Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Closing Date: Until Closed by Division
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports To: Director of Legal Services
Coordinates With: TRS Managers and Staff; TRS participants, their spouses, former spouses, and representatives; the general public; Attorney General's Office; and Outside Attorneys
Supervises: Directs work assignments of legal assistants and administrative staff assigned to assist in relevant areas
Assistant General Counsel 1 (3522/General Counsel III/B27/Exempt)
JOB FUNCTIONS
General Description: Provides legal counsel and related services regarding highly complex state and federal laws and regulations primarily relating to pension and employee benefits as an attorney within the Legal Services Department of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a public entity administering a large state-wide pension plan (defined benefit plan), two large health benefit plans, the investment function for the pension and health plan trusts, and other program responsibilities as established by law. Work involves providing appropriate legal advice and services to TRS trustees, management and staff, including sharing responsibility for the functional areas of pension benefits and plan qualification with other attorneys and coordinating division of legal responsibilities with the assigned team leader, as applicable; analyzing complex state and federal laws and regulations relating to retirement system benefits and administration, including plan qualification for a trust pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; handling administrative appeals; determining status of an order as a qualified domestic relations order; responding and advising on privacy and confidentiality issues; responding to discovery requests or subpoenas; administering child support orders and writs and tax levies; assisting with rulemaking, records management, and other system administration matters, fiduciary and ethics issues, related litigation, and other legal matters as assigned. Works under general direction of the Director of Legal Services, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent professional judgment.
Other essential duties include, but are not limited to:
Reviews and analyzes documents, fact situations, and relevant laws and rules, and provides legal services and advice to the Legal Benefits Team Leader, Director of Legal Services, TRS management and staff, and, as applicable, provides information to TRS members and the general public, with respect to assigned matters, including, but not limited to:
Providing legal advice and assistance relating to trust participant matters, pension benefit matters, plan qualification requirements and other tax issues, and collection of amounts due the retirement system.
Responding to open records requests, discovery, and other requests for member information, including determining whether confidential information may be disclosed, and corresponding with the requestors.
Determining if an order is a qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) and assisting other legal staff in administering QDROs.
Reviewing child support orders and administrative writs, various court orders, IRS tax levies, criminal restitution writs, bankruptcy notices, subpoenas, powers of attorney, and other legal documents; and providing advice and legal assistance to other legal staff and other departments regarding the administration of pension benefits.
Drafting rules and assisting with rulemaking, including preparation of rule preambles and coordination with staff in affected departments.
Conducts or directs legal research with respect to assigned or referred matters.
Prepares letters, memoranda, bills or analysis for legislative consideration, policies, guidelines, procedures, contracts, and other materials as assigned.
Attends meetings of the TRS Board of Trustees, Board committees, Medical Board or advisory committees as directed; assists with preparation of meeting materials, such as drafting proposed resolutions and related materials, and preparing meeting minutes; and makes presentations as assigned.
Represents TRS as assigned in administrative appeals, including preparation of pleadings, briefs, notices, motions, and orders.
Represents TRS as assigned in meetings and negotiations with other attorneys and external participants, including executive and legislative branches of
Participates in selection of and monitors outside counsel on assigned matters.
Works with the Office of the Attorney General on TRS litigation; researches and analyzes legal issues and prepares legal memoranda; gathers and reviews evidence, prepares discovery responses and affidavits, and otherwise assists in defense or prosecution of litigation.
Develops training materials and provides training to TRS management and staff regarding areas of responsibility as assigned.
Provides advice and assistance on other matters as assigned, such as TRS authority, contracting and procurement, personnel, record retention and other records management issues.
Develops and maintains expertise in assigned areas of responsibility, including specific laws impacting responsibilities, ethics statutes and internal rules and policies affecting TRS as a public entity, a public pension fund, and a trustee or administrator of health benefit or other programs.
Supervises or coordinates the related work of legal assistants and support staff.
Tracks deadlines and takes appropriate action on assigned matters.
Participates as assigned in special projects and serves in special roles, as assigned.
Performs related work as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in the State of
Five years of full-time experience in the successful practice of law in areas of relevance to TRS, such as employee benefits, trusts, probate, estate planning, community property laws, school law, tax law related to qualified plans, administrative law (e.g., open government, records management, rulemaking), or employment law.
OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA
Considerable knowledge of legal issues and concepts in at least one area of law relevant to job functions.
Basic knowledge of fiduciary responsibilities or ethics issues.
Skill in performing legal research and analysis of relevant information and in rendering advice based on sound legal judgment.
Extensive skill in using a computer in a Windows environment with word processing, spreadsheet, and other business software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw, etc.); including using software for electronic research, typing, and editing; and to produce briefs, correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Extensive skill in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
Skill in task management, including prioritizing work assignments to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced and changing environment and to meet deadlines, and in completing detailed work with a high degree of accuracy in executing assigned responsibilities.
Extensive skill in effective written and verbal communications, including developing and advocating legal positions; giving advice; and preparing and presenting complex legal documents or reports.
Skill in effectively negotiating, mediating and resolving conflicts.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, other TRS staff, members and other external contacts, and to work effectively in a professional team environment.
Ability to work extended/irregular hours on occasion and travel as needed due to internal and external obligations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience interpreting and providing counsel regarding legal requirements for qualification as a tax-exempt trust and governmental plan under 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Experience drafting and interpreting laws, rules, and regulations regarding the administration of a defined-benefit, governmental plan and various systems and programs of retirement and related death and disability benefits for public school employees, including higher education employees.
Experience interpreting and providing counsel regarding fiduciary duties of trustees.
Experience effectively communicating with a high-level audience, such as a governing Board or executive management.
Knowledge of legislative process and skill in monitoring, reviewing, drafting, and advising on legislation.
Assistant General Counsel 2 (3523/General Counsel IV/B29/Exempt)
JOB FUNCTIONS
General Description: Provides legal counsel and related services regarding highly complex state and federal laws and regulations primarily relating to pension and employee benefits as an attorney within the Legal Services Department of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) a public entity administering a large state-wide pension plan (defined benefit plan), two large health benefit plans, the investment function for the pension and health plan trusts, and other program responsibilities as established by law. Work involves providing appropriate legal advice and services to TRS trustees, management and staff, including sharing responsibility for the functional areas of pension benefits and plan qualification with other attorneys and coordinating division of legal responsibilities with the assigned team leader, as applicable; analyzing complex state and federal laws and regulations relating to retirement system benefits and administration, including plan qualification for a trust pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; handling administrative appeals; determining status of an order as a qualified domestic relations order; responding and advising on privacy and confidentiality issues; responding to discovery requests and subpoenas; administering child support orders and writs and tax levies; assisting with rulemaking, records management, and other system administration matters, fiduciary and ethics issues, related litigation, and other legal matters as assigned. Works under general direction of the Director of Legal Services, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent professional judgment.
Other essential duties include, but are not limited to:
Reviews and analyzes documents, fact situations, and relevant laws and rules, and provides legal services and advice to the Legal Benefits Team Leader as applicable, Director of Legal Services, TRS management including the Board of Trustees, and staff, and, as applicable, provides information to TRS members and the general public, with respect to assigned matters, including, but not limited to:
Providing legal advice and assistance relating to trust participant matters, pension benefit matters, plan qualification requirements and other tax issues, and collection of amounts due the retirement system.
Responding to open records requests, discovery, and other requests for member information, including determining whether confidential information may be disclosed, and corresponding with the requestors.
Determining if an order is a qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) and assisting other legal staff in administering QDROs.
Reviewing child support orders and administrative writs, various court orders, IRS tax levies, criminal restitution writs, bankruptcy notices, subpoenas, powers of attorney, and other legal documents; and providing advice and legal assistance to other legal staff and other departments regarding the administration of pension benefits.
Drafting rules and assisting with rulemaking, including preparation of rule preambles and coordination with staff in affected departments.
Conducts or directs legal research with respect to assigned or referred matters.
Prepares letters, memoranda, bills or analysis for legislative consideration, policies, guidelines, procedures, contracts, and other materials as assigned.
Attends meetings of the TRS Board of Trustees, Board committees, Medical Board or advisory committees as directed; assists with preparation of meeting materials, such as drafting proposed resolutions and related materials, and preparing meeting minutes; and makes presentations as assigned.
Represents TRS as assigned in administrative appeals, including preparation of pleadings, briefs, notices, motions, and orders.
Represents TRS as assigned in meetings and negotiations with other attorneys and external participants, including executive and legislative branches of
Participates in selection of and monitors outside counsel on assigned matters.
Works with the Office of the Attorney General on TRS litigation; researches and analyzes legal issues and prepares legal memoranda; gathers and reviews evidence, prepares discovery responses and affidavits, and otherwise assists in defense or prosecution of litigation.
Develops training materials and provides training to TRS management and staff regarding areas of responsibility as assigned.
Provides advice and assistance on other matters as assigned, such as TRS authority, contracting and procurement, personnel, record retention and other records management issues.
Develops and maintains expertise in assigned areas of responsibility, including specific laws impacting responsibilities, ethics statutes and internal rules and policies affecting TRS as a public entity, a public pension fund, and a trustee or administrator of health benefit or other programs.
Supervises or coordinates the related work of legal assistants and support staff; and may supervise or coordinate the related work of attorneys and other department staff as assigned when designated as Team Leader with regard to specific areas of responsibility.
Tracks deadlines and takes appropriate action on assigned matters.
Participates as assigned in special projects and serves in special roles, as assigned.
Performs related work as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or equivalent from an accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in the State of
Seven years of full-time experience in the successful practice of law in areas of relevance to TRS, such as employee benefits, trusts, probate, estate planning, community property laws, school law, tax law related to qualified plans, administrative law (e.g., open government, records management, rulemaking), or employment law; including at least one year of experience in one of the following areas: school law, relevant tax law, employee benefits or the administration of a qualified benefit plan.
OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA
Considerable knowledge of legal issues and concepts in at least one area of law relevant to job functions.
Considerable knowledge of fiduciary responsibilities or ethics issues.
Skill in performing legal research and analysis of relevant information and in rendering advice based on sound legal judgment.
Extensive skill in using a computer in a Windows environment with word processing, spreadsheet, and other business software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw, etc.); including using software for electronic research, typing, and editing; and to produce briefs, correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Extensive skill in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
Skill in task management, including prioritizing work assignments to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced and changing environment and to meet deadlines, and in completing detailed work with a high degree of accuracy in executing assigned responsibilities.
Extensive skill in effective written and verbal communications, including developing and advocating legal positions; giving advice; and preparing and presenting complex legal documents or reports.
Skill in effectively negotiating, mediating and resolving conflicts.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, other TRS staff, members and other external contacts, and to work effectively in a professional team environment.
Ability to work extended/irregular hours on occasion and travel as needed due to internal and external obligations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Three years of experience interpreting and providing counsel regarding legal requirements for qualification as a tax-exempt trust and governmental plan under 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Three years of experience drafting and interpreting laws, rules, and regulations regarding the administration of a defined-benefit, governmental plan and various systems and programs of retirement and related death and disability benefits for public school employees, including higher education employees.
Experience interpreting and providing counsel regarding fiduciary duties of trustees.
Experience effectively communicating with a high-level audience, such as a governing Board or executive management.
Knowledge of legislative process and skill in monitoring, reviewing, drafting, and advising on legislation. Experience mentoring attorneys and having responsibility for coordinating work assignments and reviewing work product of a group of attorneys and other legal staff.
This job vacancy notice is intended only to describe the general nature of the position and does not constitute an all-inclusive list of duties, nor of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.
TO APPLY
Submit a State of
Please Note:
The application, resume, and any other accompanying documentation may be subject to disclosure by TRS upon receipt of a request under the Texas Public Information Act.
Due to the nature of TRS business a criminal background investigation will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.
The State of
The U.S. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires new employees to present proof of identity and eligibility to work in the
For detailed information about the benefits of working at TRS, view the employment section of the TRS Web Site at www.trs.state.tx.us (Select General Information, then select Employment at TRS). Please note that most new employees are eligible for health insurance coverage on the first day of the month after their 90th day of employment.
TRS is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and workforce diversity. At TRS, we believe that we can best serve our members through a diverse workforce. Fairness and inclusiveness are the cornerstones upon which we build respect for those with whom we work and serve.