Job description

The Division of Administration/Disaster Recover Unit (DRU) has a vacancy. This job is Unclassified. Purpose The Office of Community Development (LOCD-DR) is the administrating agency of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) grants allocated to the state. The projects and programs funded by these grants address the long-term recovery and resilience of communities affected by Presidentially Declared Disasters. OCD’s administration includes program design, implementation and close-out of programs representing a total portfolio of over $20 billion. This is a professional position designed to address the legal issues and needs arising from the programs administered by LOCD-DR. This position requires a particular knowledge of aspects of disaster recovery, disaster CDBG and mitigation programs, FEMA programs and other federal and state recovery initiatives and key disaster recovery entities and organizations. This position reports to the Legal Services Director. Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities. A criminal history check may be conducted on all new hires as well as employees changing positions including promotions, demotions, details, reassignments and transfers. Also, prospective employees may be subject to pre-employment drug testing. New hires will be subject to employment eligibility verification via the federal government's E-verify system. No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to (225) 219-1041. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire. For further information about this posting, please contact: Erica R. Gay HR Specialist Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources email: Erica.Gay@la.gov Possession of a license to practice law in the state of Louisiana, plus five years of experience as a practicing attorney. Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of Community Development Block Grant Knowledge of Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance Program Professional experience with communications/public relations Experience with rules governing disaster recovery funds, representation of clients in the related industry in transaction and litigation matters, and/or representation of the state, local jurisdictions, or law enforcement agencies in the investigation or prosecution of criminal or consumer protection matters. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite(Duties are illustrative and not comprehensive. Responsibilities may vary with individual assignment.) Assist in the development and interpretation of LOCD-DR program policies and procedures and program documents. Provide workflow support on special project tasks that are assigned on a short, medium or long-term basis in the disaster recovery programs and mitigation and resiliency programs funded with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Detailed to work with various program or team leaders to provide legal support where needed. Program assignments may be changed based on agency needs. Ensure assigned projects and tasks comply with applicable local, State and federal regulations, Action Plan Amendments, Federal Register Notices, public laws, as well as the terms of all agreements with OCD. Provide workflow support for project and program stakeholder and other sections of the agency, relative to: • preparation of action plans • development of policies and procedures • procurement processes • coordination of use of CDBG funds with other public and private funding sources • interagency transfer agreements • memoranda of understanding • sub-recipient agreements • technical assistance in CDBG requirements and program policies and procedures • handling of public record requests • analysis and advice on legislative instruments and/or on property law and title issues Work on individual grant or loan files in various programs under the direction of legal counsel with respect to grant or loan noncompliance or default, construction disputes, or other issues, which may arise within the implementation of programs, including, as assigned: • Tracking file activities and preparing communication/status reports; • Participating in conferences with grant recipients and borrowers; • Participating in file workout strategies and development of workout agreements; • Drafting communications with grantees, borrowers and third parties involved in deadlines, hearings, judicial sales, workout scenarios and other legal communications; • Tracking and reporting on matters in litigation, including all deadlines, hearings, and judicial sales; • Drafting pleadings, memoranda and discovery instruments; • Conducting research; • Maintaining dispute/litigation files and providing other litigation support; • Attending and summarizing depositions; Serves as legal department point of contact to assist law enforcement agencies in connection with anti-fraud efforts. Assists outside counsel in preparation and presentation of matters in litigation; may serve as counsel of record, level of experience and complexity of matter in litigation.

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