General Counsel

Do you love working with smart, dedicated, mission-driven executives?  Do you enjoy dealing with a wide variety of legal matters?  Do you love national parks?  We have the dream job for you.

The Presidio Trust is seeking a General Counsel to lead our team of experienced attorneys at the Presidio of San Francisco.  As the General Counsel, you’ll be advising a unique federal agency: the Presidio Trust runs the only national park site in the United States that has the flexibility to earn and use our own revenue.

Each year we earn in excess of $100 million through our business ventures, yet we still have more buildings to renovate and new business opportunities to pursue.  We invest our revenue into our historic forest, dunes, streams, trails and designed landscapes, into our hundreds of historic buildings, park-wide infrastructure, into visitor programs and amenities, and into our people, all to make this magnificent place come alive for our park visitors.  So you’ll be providing legal advice on a wide range of interesting park and business matters.  In addition, you’ll also advise the presidentially-appointed Trust Board of Directors on governance and ethics issues.

Our ideal candidate has at least ten years of legal practice in a broad range of matters, the ability to develop and maintain effective, trusting relationships with Board members and Trust executives, excellent judgment, a servant leadership management style, a passion for parks, and a good sense of humor. And s/he enjoys working with a strong executive team to make the tough decisions for an organization.  If you have these qualities, please apply!  We’d love to show you our beautiful park.

Applications received by January 15, 2019 will receive first consideration. We are planning to hold the first round of interviews on January 25 and the second round of interviews on February 8.  Please hold those dates if you are serious about this job.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise the Trust Board of Directors on legal matters, including in the areas of board governance and ethics.
• Advise, negotiate and draft legal documents related to the development and leasing of residential and commercial real estate.
• Advise, negotiate and draft legal documents related to the provision of hospitality services.
• Advise and draft legal documents related to employment issues, including serving as legal adviser in negotiations with the Trust union.
• Draft and interpret Trust regulations, including ensuring compliance with federal rules relating to the publication and amendment of Trust regulations.
• Advise on general business matters, including drafting template contracts and specialized contracts, and assisting where needed in negotiations on general business matters for the Trust. 
• Advise on compliance with applicable environmental and historic preservation laws and regulations.
• Administer the Trust’s Federal Tort Claims Act program including investigation of claims, claims settlement, and tort claims litigation.
• Represent the Trust in all administrative hearings and arbitrations.  Work with the US Department of Justice to ensure the effective resolution of Trust litigation matters.
• Manage the Trust’s ethics program.
• Actively participate in a tight executive team built on honesty, directness and accountability.
• Help lead the organization to meet our strategic goals of being a national park that is visited and loved by all; a model of environmental stewardship in all our activities; and a model of operational excellence in public service.
• Embrace an environment of continuous improvement and deep employee engagement.

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• JD
• Bar membership in any state or DC
• Minimum of 10 years of legal practice
• Experience in successfully managing a broad portfolio of legal issues
• Experience in negotiation and deal-making
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience managing staff

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as in house counsel
• Experience in at least a few of the following areas:  litigation, advising a board of directors, business advice, drafting of statutes, ordinances and/or regulations, real estate matters, federal, state or local government issues
• Passion for parks; strong desire to work for the Presidio
• A good sense of humor

ABOUT THE PRESIDIO TRUST

The Presidio Trust is an innovative federal agency created to save the Presidio and transform it into a new kind of national park. Spanning 1,500 acres in a spectacular setting at the Golden Gate, the Presidio now operates largely without taxpayer support, and offers unique recreation, hospitality, and educational opportunities to people throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and the world. Established in 1996 through the ground-breaking and bipartisan Presidio Trust Act, the agency is managed by a seven member board of directors. The Presidio Trust operates with a partnership approach that brings together individuals and organizations across sectors to generate public benefit.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

The Presidio Trust has identified this position as subject to a standard employment background investigation which shall consist of a review of applicable county, state and Federal criminal and civil records, state bankruptcy indexes, and a credit report. An individual’s granting of a background investigation and resulting report is voluntary, however, employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the investigation. The Trust may refuse to hire an individual, rescind an offer of employment, or review and terminate the employment of a current employee who does not successfully complete a background investigation.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

This position requires the completion of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, both as a New Entrant into the position and annually thereafter. The purpose of the financial disclosure system is to assist employees and their agencies in avoiding conflicts between official duties and private financial interests or affiliations.

The Presidio Trust is an equal opportunity employer, offering a competitive benefits package. To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter, including your veterans status, to jobs @ presidiotrust.gov, or mail to Employee Support Services, Presidio Trust, P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052. You may contact Employee Support Services Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm if you need additional information at (415) 561-5300.