General Counsel

JOB VACANCY

GENERAL COUNSEL

SALARY:   $110,000   -- FULL-TIME

OFFICE LOCATION: Dover/Wilmington

                                                          OPENING DATE:    07/22/2025        CLOSING DATE:    08/19/2025

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Looking for a career with excellent benefits?

As part of the DSHA team, you will have immediate access to health, vision, and dental insurance, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, tuition assistance, fitness reimbursement, retirement plan, and more while working to further DSHA’s mission of providing safe, affordable housing.

This non-State position is responsible for coordinating the legal needs of DSHA, including providing direct professional legal advice and support to DSHA and coordinating engagement of outside counsel as appropriate and necessary. The incumbent performs other legal duties related to DSHA programs or directives of the Director.

The incumbent provides legal support to DSHA's departments and divisions.  General Counsel for DSHA should be able to provide, at minimum:

• Subject matter expertise on judicial, regulatory, and legislative matters impacting affordable housing.
• Legal advice to ensure DSHA's transactions are efficient and conform to associated regulations.
• Mission-focused legal opinions to DSHA leadership in an accessible and timely manner.
• Advice on internal and external policies and practices on matters that align with departmental work (i.e. human resources, constituent services, FOIA).

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position. Since specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed.

• Represent DSHA in legal proceedings, including court appearances and administrative hearings, and manage litigation matters in coordination with outside counsel.
• Serve as a contributing member of the DSHA’s senior staff, reporting to the Director of DSHA.
• Interpret, explain, and apply applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources regarding all aspects of employment.
• Assist in recruitment and coordination of outside counsel services.
• Review and approve bills for outside counsel.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts and financial instruments, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 
• Oversee and direct outside counsel work related to LIHTC projects and multi-family and single-family bond financing transactions.
• Lead the development and implementation of DSHA's policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with state and federal housing laws, and advise on legislative initiatives impacting affordable housing. 
• Assist DSHA senior staff in the identification and development of sound legal solutions to prevent and resolve problems.
• Communicate state, federal, and internal policies, rules, and regulations to DSHA staff to foster consistent, appropriate, and accurate implementation in departments.

• Engage with external stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and industry partners, to provide legal guidance and foster collaborative relationships
• Conduct legal research and drafts legal memoranda as requested.
• Participate in decision-making process at the senior staff level.
• Responsible for preparation and/or review of agreements between the Agency and its contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, grantees, sub-grantees, and other third parties in connection with the administration of the operations of the Agency.
• Participate in organizational management, planning, policy development and implementation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions. Therefore, the KSAs listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position.

• Knowledge of applicable state, federal and departmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and processes pertaining to affordable housing administration and development.
• Knowledge of human resource laws.
• Skill in the preparation and presentation of complex technical and subject matter.
• Skill in communicating effectively.
• Ability to use sound judgment and reach logical conclusions.
• Ability to identify and analyze problems/needs/issues, assess their impact and make recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited academic institution.
2. Licensed to practice law in the State of Delaware, or eligible to apply for a Limited Practice Certificate under Delaware Supreme Court Rule 55.1 (DSHA may prefer candidates who are generally admitted and licensed to practice law in Delaware).
3. Experience communicating complex legal matters to a wide variety of audiences in a manner that encourages understanding and support.
4. Knowledge and experience with Federal and State Housing Programs and related laws and regulations.
5. Knowledge and experience with tax-exempt and taxable bond financing.
6. Experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures related to public and affordable housing.
7. Experience with affordable housing finance and contract law.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A CURRENT AND VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

BENEFITS

These include up to 15 vacation days and 15 sick day leave accrual, up to 13 paid holidays a year, liberal retirement benefits, immediate access to paid health, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance plans and voluntary dental, vision, and various supplemental benefit options.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applications must be completed by the closing date on our website www.destatehousing.com (Click on About Us, Employment, Click Here to View All Current Openings, Select job, Scroll Down & Click Apply Now.) Contact: email: DSHA_HR@delaware.gov

DSHA IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

As an equal opportunity employer, DSHA provides an employment environment that supports and encourages the application of all persons without regard to race, color religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. Please call DSHA at 302.739.4263 or 888.363.8808 with any questions or requests. TTY/ ASCII/ VOICE/ VCO users may utilize the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 800.676.3777.

DIRECT DEPOSIT OF PAY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN DIRECT DEPOSIT WILL RESULT IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT. DSHA HAS A LAG PAY SYSTEM.

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