Position Information

ABOUT THE D.C. RETIREMENT BOARD: The District of Columbia Retirement Board (DCRB) is an independent agency of the District of Columbia Government. Our mission is to manage and control the assets of the D.C. Police Officers and Firefighters' Retirement Fund and the D.C. Teachers' Retirement Fund, as well as to administer benefits for the members of the D.C. Police Officers and Firefighters' Retirement Plan and the D.C. Teachers' Retirement Plan.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Staff Attorney provides legal support to the DCRB benefits, contracts, human resources, procurement, among other matters and other departments’ needs, as requested by the General Counsel. This includes but is not limited to monitoring for and analyzing legal compliance with applicable Police Officers and Firefighters’ and Teachers’ Retirement Plan statutes and applicable governing authorities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Duties that occupy a major portion of time and importance of the job)

• Provides detailed legal analyses of matters impacting retirement and survivor benefits under the Retirement Plans, including interpretation of statutory Plan provisions.
• Assists staff with developing and implementing benefits administration policies to ensure Plan compliance.
• Drafts legislative initiatives, Plan amendments, regulations, guidance, agency testimony, reports, policy statements, and agency contracts as needed.
• Collaborates with internal and external subject matter experts and stakeholders on legal matters impacting agency operations and Retirement Plan and Retirement Fund issues involving tax qualification, benefit claims, investments, fiduciary issues, funding, and litigation.
• Coordinates responses to requests for public records under the District’s Freedom of Information Act; supports efforts to refine policies that ensure agency transparency and compliance with the District’s Open Meetings Act and federal, local and agency recordkeeping and record retention laws and regulations.
• Provides in-depth analysis of Congressional and District Council legislative initiatives that may affect the agency’s operations, benefits administration, the Retirement Fund and investments; and assesses the effect of such legislative initiatives on the agency’s existing programs, policies and procedures and proposes updates and solutions as needed.
• Advises and assists the procurement department with its procurement process, including analyzing and reviewing procurement agreements to assure compliance with the agreements and procurement policies and regulations.
• Assesses potential legal issues, matters, and risks to each of DCRB’s departments, including but not limited to benefits administration, human resources, finance, procurement, and information technology, and provides assistance, counsel, and solutions as needed.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Advanced knowledge of employee benefits law, including ERISA, securities, and/or tax law.
• Knowledge of the District of Columbia or other state/municipal government and its legislative processes.
• Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in tax qualified pension plan governance and administration.
• Knowledge of employment law, government contract procedures, procurement, and administrative law.
• Prior experience working in the District of Columbia or Federal Government, or another state or local government is preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal office environment

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed by an employee in this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks, duties, and qualifications of an employee assigned to this job. The employee may be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
DCRB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.