Senior Counsel – Real Estate

The Philadelphia Housing Authority, America's fourth largest public housing authority and leader in real estate development and property management, is seeking Senior Counsel – Real Estate in the Office of General Counsel.

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Senior Counsel – Real Estate provides a wide range of professional legal services related to Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) operations with a focus on real estate transactions and related work; conducts legal research, prepares opinions, memoranda, administrative rules and regulations and other legal documents for PHA departments and the Board of Commissioners; may involve review of contracts and procurement procedures and other procedures and systems at PHA; may involve handling business transactions and regulatory compliance matters; provides support to department leadership by collaborating with other staff members to ensure the efficient completion of tasks and projects; performs other related duties.

$102,189.60 - $114,000.00 annually

Essential Functions

• Performs legal research and prepares written and oral opinions on various legal problems for the General Counsel, Managing Deputy General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, the Board of Commissioners, and PHA departments;
• Confers with, and renders assistance to, department heads and others in establishing departmental policies by applying legal principles and procedures; recommends changes to policies and procedures in order to meet legal requirements;
• Prepares, drafts and reviews policies, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents, agreements and instruments; offers opinions as to legal acceptability when such documents are presented to the head of PHA or any PHA department, or for consideration by outside counsel or another agency;
• Investigates claims and complaints against the PHA and takes or recommends appropriate action;
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive resident inquires and complaints;
• Reviews and approves certificates of insurance, off-site improvement agreements, grants, deeds and various other documents;
• Prepares, reviews, and approves the formal performance evaluation of department staff, and coaches staff for improvement and development; initiates disciplinary action up to and including dismissal as required to correct behavior;
• May represent the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel at various meetings and in court as needed;
• Stays abreast of relevant new trends and innovations in the legal field;
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and PHA information;
• Performs related duties and responsibilities and undertakes special projects as assigned.

Supervisory responsibilities

· May supervise 1 to 4 employees

Qualifications

· Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association approved law school.

· Seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney

· An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

Required Knowledge of:

· Federal statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and notices related to the following programs:

a. Public Housing

b. Housing Choice Voucher program

c. Rental Assistance Demonstration

d. Section 18 Disposition

e. 24 CFR Part 50 and 58 Environmental Reviews

· Real estate transactions

· Title insurance

· Surveys and real property legal descriptions

· Relevant Pennsylvania statutes, rules, case law, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and other applicable Federal rules and regulations related to real estate

· Knowledge of and skill in applying legal research methods, techniques, sources, databases, and other research tools

· Principles and practices of legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct

Required Skills and Abilities:

· Development, refinement, and presentation of legal strategies and case management techniques

· Analyzing complex administrative and operational data and issues, interpreting laws and regulations, evaluating alternatives, and developing strategies for effective resolution of issues

· Drafting and reviewing mortgage and other real estate documents

· Researching and identifying precedents in case law

· Exercising judgement and discretion, assisting in negotiating agreements, and mediating difficult situations

· Assuming executive level responsibilities and making appropriate decisions

· Interact with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds

· Establish and maintain effective working relationship with co-workers, clients, and the general public

· Operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software

· Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing

Certifications, Licenses Required

· Admission to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bar Association. Incumbents must remain a member of in good standing for the duration of employment in this position.

· Valid United States driver’s license

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is typically performed in a standard office environment, but will require limited travel to various sites throughout the City of Philadelphia.

How to Apply:

All applications will be accepted via PHA's Jobs Board at pha.phila.gov/jobs.

About the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)

Established in 1937, and with an employment workforce of over 1,100, the Philadelphia Housing Authority is a municipal agency providing public housing services to over 76,000 residents in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Financial support for Authority operations and capital needs comes primarily from rent payments and subsidies provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). PHA is one of a very select group of housing authorities across the nation that has attained Moving to Work (MTW) status. This designation allows housing agencies the opportunity and flexibility, on a local level, to develop and implement innovative housing and self-sufficiency strategies to benefit public housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participants.

PHA is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of individual qualifications without regard to race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, pregnancy, national origin, ethnicity or ancestry, religion, age, disability, citizenship, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.