Deputy General Counsel

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible. The NCSHP has more than 1,600 troopers who cover nearly 80,000 miles of North Carolina roadways, more than any other state except Texas. In addition to enforcing the state’s traffic laws, state troopers also guide traffic during hurricane evacuations, re‑route traffic around hazardous chemical spills, and stand ready should any act of terrorism occur. State Troopers are committed to protecting North Carolina’s motoring public.

Description of Work

The NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) is seeking a well‑rounded, focused‑driven individual to join our team as Deputy General Counsel. The Deputy General Counsel acts as a senior legal advisor for the State Highway Patrol and is a member of the Commander's Executive staff.

Salary Range

$96,513 - $162,000. Salary Grade: LG09.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Handles providing legal counsel and representation on the department’s most complex, novel, and sensitive legal issues.
• Provides legal counsel and consultation to executive management as it selects strategic managerial courses of action and when management is resolving major or highly technical operational and programmatic challenges.
• Provides legal advice and support which includes reviewing operational policies and procedures and recommending revisions to policies and procedures considering changes in federal and state case law and statutes.
• Responds to legislative inquiries, drafts proposed legislation and meets with legislators upon request.
• Gives legal advice to the Human Resources Office regarding employment matters. This position gives legal advice to the Public Information Office for responses to public records requests.
• Drafts or reviews departmental policies and contracts.
• Serves as the on‑call legal advisor for the Commander, executive management, and division directors.
• Monitors pending litigation against the Department and provides technical assistance to the Attorney General’s Office. This aid includes the development of effective litigation strategies and redrafting of documents submitted to state and federal courts.
• Responsible for providing advice on the merits of litigation, settlement, and appeal to the Commander and executive management for cases involving the Department. In performing this function, the Deputy General Counsel advises management of likely settlement value and terms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of statutory, case and regulatory law.
• Thorough knowledge of management principles, techniques and practices of the agency’s organization and objectives.
• Skill in directing employees and programs in various areas of responsibility.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and court decisions.
• Ability to analyze complex legal problems and render formal opinions.
• Ability to creatively develop case strategy and tactics.
• Ability to plan and support the development of others.

Position/Physical Requirements

• Criminal Background Investigation.
• Drug Screening Test.

Minimum Education and Experience

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar.

Four years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.

NOTE: GS 114‑2 and 114‑6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.