Assistant County Attorney V - Fairfax County

The County Attorney's Office is seeking an attorney with high-quality legal knowledge and skills in the areas of collective bargaining and employment law, including considerable experience in drafting, negotiating, and implementing labor relations contracts established as part of collective bargaining. The applicant should be proficient in collective bargaining, general employment law litigation, including solid litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts, legal research, writing, and public speaking, as well as enjoy a wide variety of challenging legal work.

The position is in the Office of the County Attorney's Personnel Section. The successful applicant will counsel and represent the county in collective bargaining with the county’s bargaining units. Duties will include reviewing and drafting collective bargaining agreements, advising the Board of Supervisors and the Department of Human Resources in labor negotiations as well advising and representing agencies in grievances and other such employment law matters. The successful applicant will personally handle litigation in state and federal courts and before state administrative agencies and provide legal advice to county agencies related to employment issues including but not limited to Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act. The successful applicant will represent county agencies in employee grievances and in matters before the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission. Litigation will include personal injury, employment law, constitutional law, workers' compensation, and alleged civil rights violations. While we are looking for an experienced candidate, we are also open to underfilling the position with a less experienced attorney who demonstrates strong potential and interest in employment law and civil rights trial litigation work. 

Fairfax County's Office of the County Attorney functions as in-house counsel to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, department heads, division directors, and other employees. It also serves as counsel to varies boards, authorities, and commissions. Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia with more than 1.1 million residents and more than 12,000 employees. Fairfax County government is widely recognized as a superior government organization. In 2021, the most recent award cycle, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) announced that it had awarded its Certificate of Excellence to Fairfax County for the thirteenth consecutive year. The county is among only 31 jurisdictions across the nation recognized by ICMA for this prestigious award – the organization's highest level of recognition. County employees are eligible for superb benefits. Highlights of the county's benefits packages are a defined-benefit pension plan; a deferred compensation plan (457); access to medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, and generous leave policies. The county operates a licensed Employee Child Care Center in the Government Center complex; all employees are automatically enrolled in the Employee Assistance Program; and the county operates a workforce wellness program to help employees and their families stay well during the work-day and beyond. 

Confidential Position: This position is designated as confidential under the County’s Collective Bargaining Ordinance. This position assists and acts in a confidential capacity to persons who formulate, determine, and effectuate management policies with regard to labor relations. 

Note: Applicants must include a writing sample attached to their application to receive full consideration.

This job advertisement will be used to fill multiple full-time Assistant County Attorney V vacancies.

Underfill:  Candidates not meeting the minimum qualifications may be considered to be selected to fill this position as an underfill for one year, if the requirements of the underfill are met at the time of application. See Underfill Requirements in the Employment Standards section.