Deputy Chief Counsel
Employer: Hanford Mission Integration Solutions · Location: Richland, WA · Posting: 41237 · Type: Full-Time · Pay: $215,550-$283,550/yr
Duties
Responsible for providing legal services primarily in the area of government contracts and procurement, employment and labor, workforce restructuring, along with related litigation for Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, LLC (HMIS). Identify, recognize, analyze, provide direction for and resolve complex legal issues and determine legal requirements in the conduct of operations of HMIS. Advise management to avoid multimillion dollar liability and risks inherent in the management, operations, and services of HMIS. Provide representation, and/or litigation management and support for HMIS in administrative and court proceedings in government contracts and related litigation filed by or against HMIS. *Safety is a primary responsibility in each job performed. Obtain safety training, obey safety rules, and make safety an integral part of each task. Take the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or will create an unsafe condition. *Ensure the prompt delivery of legal services related to procurement, contracts, employment and labor issues, workforce restructuring, and environmental, intellectual property and other laws (e.g., PAAA, OSHA, safety, export control, etc.) to the company, including best practices worthy of replication. *Represent the company and function as a key participant with varied levels of management and staff inside and outside of the company; advocacy groups; Federal, State, and local officials and agencies; educational institutions; and professional organizations. *Perform legal functions, resolving complex cross-functional legal issues -- often in matters without precedent - requiring extensive knowledge of several diverse legal disciplines impacting problem resolution and affecting successful performance of the company's contract for management and operation of one of DOE's largest and most complicated nuclear sites. *Design legal strategies to lead and manage an inclusive work group that maximizes the talents of each person to achieve sound business results; developing and using measures and rewards to hold self and others accountable for achieving results that embody the principles of diversity. *Assess policy, program and project feasibility; formulate short and long-term goals. *Organizing and prioritizing work activities; anticipating, diagnose and consulting on, and determining solutions for program related potential or actual problems. Anticipate problems and act accordingly. *Provide legal advice and counseling to HMIS management through recognition of the impacts of legal requirements of HMIS and the risks involved. *Identify, recommend and implement legal solutions through use of legal disciplines in consultation with other disciplines and evaluate the impacts on HMIS abilities or financial requirements to comply with the law. *Communicate and coordinate with other legal and non-legal disciplines and with senior management to ensure that HMIS guidelines, directives and needs are considered in the resolution of compliance matters and new requirements. *Ensure that legal services are provided through participation in court and/or administrative proceedings, obtain informal and formal agency positions, negotiate settlements of disputes, negotiation of consent orders and/or settlement agreements, negotiating and drafting agreements with other corporations and individuals, employ best Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practices. *Following all the regulations and requirements associated with retention of outside counsel, recommend outside counsel, coordinate legal strategies and evaluate their performance. Control the expenditures through review of the services rendered. Manage litigation by giving legal input, making key legal decisions, coordinating with outside counsel, colleagues and HMIS management and directing outside counsel at all stages of litigation to include appeals. *Counsel HMIS management as to legislation, court decisions, agency regulations and rulings as well as HMIS and LLC members corporate policy and procedures relating to assigned areas of responsibility. *Conduct training programs, if needed, to ensure awareness of applicable laws and regulations. *Ensure that best ADR practices are used as appropriate and necessary to settle claims and disputes. *Lead and supervise litigation efforts and paralegal support. *Ensure that reports are submitted on time and in the proper format. *Manage Legal correspondence. *Serve as Acting Chief Counsel in the absence of the Chief Counsel. *Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
*Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school. *Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state; ability to obtain Washington State Bar admission within a defined timeframe. *Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, including providing legal advice to senior leadership on complex matters. *Demonstrated experience in government, corporate, or public-sector law, including regulatory interpretation, contract law, employment law, ethics/compliance, or related fields. *Proven ability to lead legal matters independently, exercise sound legal judgment, and manage high-risk or sensitive issues. *Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft, review, and interpret legal documents with a high degree of precision. *Experience supervising attorneys or legal staff, or leading legal workgroups, task teams, or major legal projects. *Ability to serve as Acting Chief Counsel in the absence of the Chief Counsel, providing leadership, guidance, and continuity of operations. *Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, work with sensitive or privileged information, and uphold the highest ethical standards. *Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders, external counsel, regulators, and agency partners. *Ability to obtain and maintain a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential badge.
Compensation
Grade 24: $215,550 - $283,550 HMIS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visit our benefits website: https://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/employeebenefits In accordance with the HMIS salary determination process, offers will be made by taking into consideration the level of assigned job duties, responsibilities, and the candidate's qualifications relative to internal peers and the external labor market. A candidate's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions. The salary range listed represents the full range of salary that may be offered. This position may be required to complete a probationary period. Benefits for eligible employees will begin on day one. In compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Field Office (HFO) direction, employees issued initial badges on or after September 1st, 2025, are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation encompasses multiple areas of eligibility and includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.