MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT GENERAL COUNSEL

MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT GENERAL COUNSEL

THE DISTRICT Open space lands offer a respite from everyday life, a source of clean air and water, and local agriculture as well as an opportunity to experience and learn about the diverse natural environment that contributes to our quality of life. The late 1960 s was a time of rapid growth in the Bay Area. As tract housing and commercial development began to dominate the Valley of Heart s Delight, concern for the preservation of irreplaceable foothill and bayland natural resources mounted among open space advocates. Through the determined and heartfelt efforts of local conservationists, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was created by successfully placing an initial voter initiative on the ballot in 1972. Forty-six years later, the District has permanently preserved 63,000 acres of mountainous, foothill, and bayland open space, creating 26 open space preserves. The District covers an area of more than 550 square miles and includes 17 cities and adjoining unincorporated areas in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. The District is working to form a continuous greenbelt of permanently protected open space by linking its lands with other public parklands. In addition, the District participates in cooperative efforts such as the Bay Trail, Ridge Trail, and Coastal Trail, which are regional trail systems that include and/or connect to District lands. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District s Mission is: to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Additional information about the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is available at www.openspace.org.

THE ORGANIZATION Headquartered in Los Altos, California, the District is divided into seven geographic wards, each containing approximately 100,000 constituents and represented by an elected Board member for a four-year term. Appointed by the Board of Directors, the General Manager oversees a staff of 175 FTEs as well as a FY 2017/18 budget of $61.4M. More than 50 employees staff each of the two main field offices in addition to one smaller outpost. These field offices are staffed by Rangers, who are sworn peace officers, that provide patrol and visitor services. The field staff includes permanent and seasonal Open Space Technicians and Equipment Mechanic Operators, who are responsible for maintaining the District s land and facilities, building and maintaining the trail system, and performing resource management activities within the preserves. Located at the District s headquarters, administrative staff includes professionals in open space planning, resource management, engineering and construction, real property, public affairs, and environmental analysis, in addition to legal, human resources, information services and technology, administration, and finance and accounting staff. The District s primary revenue source is a share of the annual total property tax collected within the District. Other revenue sources may include federal and state grants, interest and rental income, donations, land gifts, and bond and note issues. The overall financial health of the District is strong and stable. The District continues to focus on its future. The District s goal is to strategically acquire and preserve open space, meet its natural resource management challenges, and provide compatible public access in the context of changing demographics and increasing costs of land, land management, and maintenance and resource management. Key programs currently under way at the District include the following: Open Space Planning Opportunities for public recreation are balanced with natural resource protection through a comprehensive planning approach with active community engagement. New trails and staging areas are built with state-of-the-art environmentally sound construction techniques. Natural resource restoration is a key component of project development. Resource Management The District has a long and proud history of responsible stewardship of open space lands and a high level of responsiveness to community needs. The District works to address critical resource management issues by working with its neighbors, partnering agencies, and resource professionals to restore the diversity and integrity of the area s natural resources. Land Acquisition Program The District s land acquisition goals focus on preserving a regional greenbelt providing opportunities to protect natural resources, provide for compatible public access, and address environmental challenges. The District seeks to work with public and non-profit partners to accomplish these goals. Due to the threat of development and sprawl in coastal San Mateo County, the District has partnered with other agencies and non-profit organizations to protect these important coastal lands. The goal of the District s Protection Program on the San Mateo County coast is to protect important open space and agricultural land, preserve the rural character, and encourage viable agricultural use of land resources.

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES This career opportunity is the result of a recent retirement. Appointed by and reporting to the District s Board of Directors, the General Counsel enjoys the benefits of a politically stable environment; a collegial, well-functioning Board; and an outstanding organization of extremely competent, educated, and dedicated staff in a highly collaborative work environment. Under policy direction from the District s Board of Directors, the General Counsel provides a wide range of legal services to the Board, Board committees, the General Manager, and District staff. Areas of responsibilities include land use, land acquisition, real estate, environmental impact studies and/or review of supporting contracts/agreements. Specific experience with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is strongly desired. Other areas of practical experience include addressing litigation issues and directing outside counsel on other legal matters. Periodically, the District contracts with a select group of law firms for specialty work; however, the budget for outside counsel is limited. Because of this, the General Counsel must have the ability to prioritize and align the work with the Board of Director s goals and management priorities. The District s Legal Department currently includes the General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, and parttime administrative assistant. The General Counsel assumes full management responsibility for all programs, services, and activities of the District s Legal Department, including civil litigation and administrative proceedings.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The Ideal Candidate for the position of General Counsel will be an experienced legal professional, eager to join an organization that truly enjoys working together to advance the District s mission and goals. The top choice for this position will be a person of unquestionable ethics and integrity. He or she will be open, fair, impartial, transparent, collaborative, and committed to working as an integral part of the District s senior management team. The Ideal Candidate will be accessible to the Board of Directors, the General Manager, and District staff as well as responsive to deadlines and demonstrate professional and respectful behavior in all circumstances. As a member of the team, this top legal advisor will work closely with the District s General Manager to advance the District s mission and goals. At the same time, the General Counsel must remain an independent Board appointee, willing to express differing opinions from a legal perspective as necessary, always keeping the best interests of the District s resources, real property, finances, and its mission paramount. The General Counsel will also be recognized as an inclusive and thoughtful professional who listens first, seeks input, and then consistently presents legal options for consideration, allowing for a thorough analysis of all aspects of an issue. With broad legal experience (either obtained directly with a special district, municipality, or through a public law firm) the new General Counsel will be able to evaluate controversial situations and present options in a clear and concise fashion. The General Counsel will be proactive in protecting the District s interests, alert to emerging legal issues, and able to identify such issues so that they can be addressed and potential liability avoided. When necessary, the General Counsel must be able to provide strong management, oversight, and coordination with outside counsel while being fiscally conscious and sensitive to associated costs. In addition, it is expected that the General Counsel will bring his/her own network of industry contacts in order to share information and confer on issues. The General Counsel will also have outstanding communications skills complemented by the ability to explain complex legal issues in a clear and understandable manner, often in a public setting. The individual selected will have the ability to professionally represent the District and develop effective working relationships with constituents, outside agencies, District partners, and the public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE The Board of Directors will select a General Counsel who has a unique and compelling combination of skills, experiences, and successes. As a result, any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience Five years practicing law in a public agency is required with at least 10 years of total experience practicing law preferred. Two years of supervisory experience and experience in the practice of public agency law directly advising an elected legislative body is highly desirable. Education Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. License This position requires active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The District is offering an attractive annual salary depending upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. In addition, the District provides an exceptional benefits package that includes California PERS retirement (2.5% @ 55 plan for Classic Members; 2% @ 62 plan for New Members). The District does not participate in Social Security; however, the District does pay toward Medicare. SEARCH SCHEDULE Resume filing deadline: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Preliminary Interviews: Early May 2018 Recommendation of Candidates ( Resume Review ): Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Board Interview (Round #1): Tuesday, June 19, 2018 Board Interview/Other Staff (Round #2): Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Appointment Date and Public Announcement: Tuesday, July 11, 2018 Start Date: July 2018 (or as agreed) These dates have been confirmed with the Board, and it is recommended that candidates plan their calendar accordingly.

TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF DISTRICT COUNSEL Interested candidates should apply no later than Tuesday, May 8, 2018 by submitting a compelling cover letter of interest and comprehensive resume to apply@ralphandersen.com. This is a confidential process and no references will be contacted until mutual interest has been established. A slate of highly qualified candidates will be presented to the Board ( Resume Review ) on May 16, 2018 with interviews scheduled to be conducted on June 19 and 20. An employment agreement will be negotiated and approved on July 11 with the selected candidate. Start date is anticipated to be in late July 2018 (or as mutually agreed). Direct confidential inquiries to Ms. Heather Renschler, Ralph Andersen & Associates at (916) 630-4900. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer RECRUITMENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY RALPH ANDERSEN & ASSOCIATES