Deputy Director and General Counsel

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
Full Time

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Reports to:

KAC Executive Director

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Law Clerk (part-time)

Onsite in Topeka, Kansas

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, this position serves as Deputy Director and assists in day-to-day operations and has the authority to serve

as Executive Director when required. Additionally, this position directs the Association's legislative advocacy services and responds to legal inquiries from members and supports

KAC's research and education missions. Finally, this position serves as General Counsel for the Governing Board.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• In the event that the Executive Director is unable to fulfill the duties of the role due to death, illness, or incompetence, the Deputy Director shall have all of the rights and authority to act on behalf of the Governing Board and the KAC.
• Act as a liaison for KAC to other statewide non-county associations (i.e. LKM, Kansas Realtors, Manufactured Housing, etc.)
• Provide county information to state and national associations, leaders, and other groups to advance the interests of the association
• Assist with cultivating non-dues revenue for the association.
• Directs the KAC's legislative advocacy and representation of county interests. Serves as primary staff liaison to the KAC's Legislative Policy Committee, working with the committee, board and members to annually develop the KAC Legislative Policy Statement according to KAC's bylaws.
• Advocates according to the KAC Legislative Policy Statement through oral and written testimony and by working individually with legislators through in-person conversations, telephone calls, e-mail, and other written correspondence to express KAC's viewpoint and present supporting information and data on pending issues.
• Prepares and disseminates weekly Legislative Bulletins during the legislative session summarizing the status of bills affecting Kansas counties.
• Develops and nurtures strong relationships with elected and appointed county officials and works to understand and articulate the issues facing Kansas counties.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with members of the Kansas Legislature, the State of Kansas executive branch, the Kansas congressional delegation, and other groups affecting policies in Kansas.
• Conducts research on legislative policy issues and their legal impact on Kansas counties; prepares research in formats suitable for dissemination to county officials, particularly county counselors.
• Provides legal and other technical assistance to member counties as requested and responds to inquiries from elected and appointed officials of member counties to the extent permitted under the attorney code of ethics.
• Assist with writing stories and other content for the KAC website and other KAC publications.
• Serves as the secretariat for the County Counselors Association of Kansas and facilitates their quarterly meetings, annual/midyear meetings, and CLE presentations. The secretariat also handles all finances of the CCAK.
• Assigns work to and supervises the Law Clerk/Legal Intern to execute tasks related to the legislative process and/or legal inquiries from members.
• Develop spreadsheets, promotional pieces, reports, guides, brochures, Power Points, and other KAC materials, in consultation with the Communications Director.

• Serve as the organization’s primary legal advisor to the Executive Director, Board, and staff on governance, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Provide legal guidance on contracts, employment issues, public records, open meetings, ethics, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents to ensure legal sufficiency and organizational protection.
• Advise on statutory authority, legislative developments, and regulatory issues affecting counties and the organization.
• Ensure Board and committee actions comply with applicable law, bylaws, and governance best practices.
• Coordinate…