Staff Counsel

Bluebird Fiber is a premier fiber telecommunications provider of internet, data transport, and other services to carriers, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other enterprises in the Midwest. To learn more, please visit bluebirdfiber.com.

Join an amazing team of telecommunication professionals! Bluebird is a dynamic growing company in need of a Staff Counsel to be a part of a collaborative team. This is a full-time, benefit eligible position.

POSITION PURPOSE:

Bluebird’s Staff Counsel will assist with the negotiation, drafting, review, and administration of customer and vendor agreements, RFP reviews, compliance, and regulatory issues. The Staff Counsel will be responsible for understanding and ensuring contractual compliance with service agreements, service orders, statements of work, and related documentation, including but not limited to the development of summaries and analysis for internal corporate use and external use. The Staff Counsel will also review and investigate Bluebird's fiber and facilities damage claims, assess liability, and perform various functions in furtherance of collections efforts, assist with resolution of claims against Bluebird or its contractors, and perform other general legal work assigned by the General Counsel.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• JD and license to practice law (any state) required
• Strong work ethic and ability to take on multiple assignments

PREFERRED:

• 2 years of relevant legal experience, preferred
• Prior experience working with contract/license drafting and negotiation, preferred
• Prior experience in telecommunications, utility, or infrastructure industry, preferred
• Prior experience in insurance claims, damage investigations, and/or collections, preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work both independently to complete tasks and respond to requests, as well as collaborating with others to utilize resources and knowledge of others in identifying high quality solutions.
• Ability to effectively manage priorities for self and team to meet business requirements and deadlines in dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills across a broad spectrum of attorney and non-attorney recipients, including all levels within the organization, adverse parties against which Bluebird has a claim, external property owners, vendors, and customers.
• Ability to identify key contacts for follow up; excellent ability to communicate project and status updates to team and cross-functionally to ensure understanding.
• Excellent strategic and problem-solving skills to effectively influence decision-making in negotiations.
• Proficiency in contract drafting; ability to utilize knowledge of the industry trends and regulatory guidelines to successfully negotiate agreements.
• Attention to detail in the preparation and review of contracts and agreements; excellent legal drafting skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office suite.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBLILITES:

• Maintain thorough knowledge of all applicable agreements and contract terms and regularly communicate with internal business partners and external customers regarding contractual rights and obligations.
• Coordinate with the General Counsel and Contract Management Team to set goals and objectives for continuous improvement in processes.
• Work closely with Sales, Carrier Relations, Operations, and Finance to ensure constant open lines of communication exist in order to promote expeditious resolution of issues.
• Ensure process efficiency and accurate and timely deliverables within provided due dates.
• Review and investigate Bluebird’s fiber and facilities damage claims (i.e., instances of damage to Bluebird’s fiber network for which Bluebird has a claim).
• Assess liability for damage claims in collaboration with internal team and General Counsel.
• Perform various functions in furtherance of Bluebird’s collection efforts, such as:
  • Send claims with financial support to Bluebird’s locating or construction contractors.
  • Make initial contact with excavators and damagers, send invoices, respond to inquiries, engage other departments as needed.
  • Obtain investigation and damage reports from contractors.
  • Work with General Counsel to engage outside resources when appropriate.
• Respond to, investigate, and bring to resolution damage claims against Bluebird.
• Maintain accurate records, including a log, of claims involving Bluebird.
• Other duties assigned by management.

Bluebird is an equal opportunity employer.