Chief Legal Counsel/General Counsel

Indianapolis Housing Agency is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

 

SUMMARY
This key leadership position serves as the General Counsel for the Indianapolis Housing Agency. This position is responsible for the general administration and management of the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s legal department. This position will oversee all legal functions for the Indianapolis Housing Agency and manage the agency’s in-house legal staff and outside legal counsel. This position will be responsible for setting the direction and future of the legal department and providing legal advice, counsel, and presentation to the Indianapolis Housing Agency. The position is a senior executive team member who reports administratively to the Chief Executive Director, with a client relationship with the Board of Commissioner.  All activities must support the IHA (or "Agency") mission, strategic goals, and objectives.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES - DIRECT REPORTS

Compliance and Training Division, Procurement and Contract Officer/Agent, Legal Assistant, Contract Security (if applicable)

JOB FUNCTIONS

This leadership position is responsible for coordinating, administrating, and supervising the legal functions of the Indianapolis Housing Agency. The incumbent will serve as a member of the senior Executive Team, providing insight and assistance with implementing Indianapolis Housing Agency’s strategic initiatives and maintaining strong interdepartmental working relationships. The incumbent is responsible for providing substantive legal advice and services to the Indianapolis Housing Agency on a broad range of issues affecting the agency, including finance, real estate and development, homeownership, loan servicing, intergovernmental relations, and policy, state and federal rental programs, human resources, as well as general corporate and corporate governance matters. The position entails legal, administrative, and policy functions. The incumbent will also serve as Ethics Officer for the agency, with primary responsibility for ensuring the agency's integrity and fostering an awareness of ethics laws and obligations. The incumbent will work with the Director of Compliance to develop and implement a formal compliance program for the agency, ensuring the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The responsibilities of this position are essential to preventing and minimizing the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s risk exposure. The position will lead the development and implementation of legal matters that support the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s mission, vision, strategic objectives, and core values. The incumbent must have a strong customer focus and communicate with all internal and external customers. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for fostering and cultivating a high-performing team that supports the Indianapolis Housing Agency’s goals and values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, obligations, and skills may be required and assigned as needed.

• Provides legal counsel, advice, and representation for the IHA; represents IHA and/or coordinates representation for IHA in legal matters in Federal and State courts.
• Consults with and advises the CEO, the Board of Commissioners, and designated departments on IHA legal matters.
• Monitors and participates in administrative cases, including resident and employee grievances, EEOC matters, Indiana Fair Housing Commission, HUD, and other issues.
• When appropriate, make verbal reports and presentations to the Board of Commissioners and other bodies. Prepare report resolutions for Commission review and approval.
• Maintains all legal records, closing documents, legal instruments, board minutes, and transcripts.
• Serve as the primary representative for all civil rights matters, including reviews, reports, and compliance. Attend meetings, conduct or supervise investigations, attend hearings/court actions, and recommend policy/procedure/resolution.
• Attends meetings with public officials, outside counsel, and consultants to support the goals and objectives of IHA; attends depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and negotiations as required.
• Prepares legal documents such as contracts, leases, petitions, MOUs, appeals, memoranda of law, and other legal notices; prepares monthly reports for the CEO and Board of Commissioners to review; and prepares correspondence on behalf of and for the CEO on IHA legal matters.
• Represent the Authority at HUD-sponsored events and participate in developing policy changes that affect public housing.
• Provides advice regarding procurement issues - reviews requests for proposals and invitations for bids.
• Interpret federal legislation, documents, and reports about low-income and other assisted housing for the legal effect of laws, regulations, and appropriate changes.
• Provides legal advice on behalf of IHA in negotiating real estate development and acquisition projects.
• Participates in budget planning.
• Handles non-routine situations and recommends solutions or the best course of action for the CEO and staff.
• Supervises designated personnel regarding performance management, time management, job assignments, scheduling, disciplinary actions, promotions, hiring recommendations, training, and attendance responsibilities.
• The General Counsel will participate in IHA's nonprofit affiliate, Insight Development Corporation (IDC), governing structure as a member of the Board of Directors.
• Review all legislative and administrative regulations from funding government bodies and make recommendations to the CEO.
• Direct the eviction process, assuring appropriate preparation, issuance, and coordination of all evictions.
• Represent the IHA and/or serve as hearing officer at housing grievances when necessary.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:
 

QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE: 

• Working knowledge of laws and regulations, including, without limitation, those of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, about the administration and operation of the assisted housing agency.
• Working knowledge of Indiana Code Annotated and the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
• Broad background and knowledge in general and specific civil law, contracting, and litigation areas.
• Performs sensitive tasks and exercises sound judgment when making decisions and accomplishing assignments.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures, rules of court, rules of evidence, and legal precedents. Demonstrated skill in analyzing and assessing legal issues, organizing facts, evidence, and legal precedents.
• Must be able to prepare highly competent and professional written and oral presentations.
• High level of skill in addressing the public and presenting information, organized and convincingly.
• Demonstrated skill in managing, directing, and supervising a public, corporate legal environment.
• Ability to take direction and work with others under stressful conditions.
• Ability and experience to interpret and apply the many statutory and regulatory provisions about and involved in the business of the Indianapolis Housing Agency.
• Demonstrate maturity, professional judgment, a high degree of initiative, and advanced critical thinking.
• Ability to think strategically with a visionary focus on future growth and stability.
• Strong analytical/problem-solving skills, including process analysis and improvement.
• Strong ethical decision-making skills.
• Proven collaborative leadership skills in setting a clear direction and supportive environment to ensure that goals and objectives are met while inspiring outstanding performance.
• Skill in effective listening, communication, and presentation skills where all messages from and to diverse audiences can be heard and/or articulated in layperson’s terms that inspire a high level of confidence.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be licensed to drive in the State of Indiana.
• Must pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
• Must provide annual disclosure statements as applicable by law.

COMMITMENT: 

• Sets high standards of performance
• Pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them
• Strives for results and success
• Conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure
• Adept at multitasking while maintaining accountability for complete and timely work performance.
• Demonstrates strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR: 

• Exhibits positive, polite, courteous, honest, and conscientious behavior with all internal/external clients.
• Accepts responsibility for actions and adjusts behavior as appropriate.
• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism and maintains the decorum of the office.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers, clients, and constituents.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences and provide excellent customer service.
• Display a neat, clean, and professional appearance.

RELIABILITY & JUDGMENT: 

• Demonstrates sound reasoning and critical thinking by making decisions in line with established Agency expectations.
• Performs work in a reliable manner that is both accurate and timely.
• Upholds a strict level of confidentiality.
• Highly skilled in analyzing circumstances to identify problems and offer possible solutions.

TEAMWORK: 

• Balances team and individual responsibilities.
• Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views.
• Gives and welcomes feedback.
• Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Puts success of team above own interests.
• Supports the agency's mission and values.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Must be in good standing and licensed to practice law in Indiana's Federal and State courts.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in real estate finance, litigation, and transactional matters within a civil, public, or corporate legal setting.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Housing agency legal experience and mixed-finance housing transactions or related field and preferred background in municipal bond financing and/or mortgage-backed securities.
• Extensive knowledge and proven expertise in the relevant legal areas, including tax-exempt and taxable debt issuance and mortgage-backed securities, low-income housing tax credits, real estate/commercial lending/housing law, information security, and employment matters.
• Broad knowledge of federal housing programs, laws, and regulations is preferred.
• Proven understanding of general financial management principles, including experience in managing a budget.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: 

• High proficiency with applicable computer software (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and project management).
• Experience using Emphasys Elite and/or Yardi Voyager housing software is preferred.
• The ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Must be able to drive an automobile, sit for lengthy periods, climb stairs/ladders, operate a keyboard, and generally maintain the physical condition and mobility necessary to visit other Authority sites and other housing authorities and agencies.  The majority of the work is conducted in a standard indoor office environment. Must be able to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

The work is performed in an office environment. 

Office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.​