Legal Specialist - DR006

Do you have a strong legal background with a focus on real estate matters?

Are you interested in serving as an advisor and liaison for legislative and legal matters?

Come join DGS as a Legal Specialist for the Division of Real Estate Services!

Title: Legal Specialist - DR006

State Role Title:Policy Planning Spec III

Hiring Range: $95,000 - $115,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: Washington Building

Agency Website: https://dgs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The DGS Division of Real Estate Services (DRES) seeks to hire a real estate professional to serve as a Legal Specialist for the Division. DRES supports state departments, agencies, and institutions and their public missions by providing high quality real estate that is cost effective and functionally efficient. DRES also manages the Commonwealth's broad real estate portfolio, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices. The Legal Specialist supports DRES's mission by serving as a legislative and legal advisor and liaison for DGS and the agencies we serve.

Job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and reviewing real estate transaction documents on behalf of the Commonwealth’s agencies, departments, and institutions, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, deeds, memorandums of understanding, etc.
• Assisting DGS DRES staff in the development and drafting of documents such as agreements and memorandums of understanding related to other areas of DGS DRES oversight (ex: permitting) as needed.
• Developing, drafting, revising and publishing standard real estate transaction forms, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Advising and assisting DGS DRES staff in the execution of transactions by ensuring that transactions conform to law and policies of the Commonwealth. This may include assisting DGS DRES staff in specific transaction negotiation from time to time.
• Providing leadership to the DRES Legal team.

This position will be located in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule (telework up to 2 days*/week) upon completion of an approved telework agreement.

We’ve got great benefits!

DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. Additionally, DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Significant experience in drafting, reviewing, and interpreting legislation, regulations, and organizational-wide policies and procedures.
• Significant experience examining and drafting legal documents, contracts, reports, and surveys, correspondence for distribution across multiple avenues, and an array of commercial real estate transaction documents in a corporate, law firm, or governmental setting.
• Experience with strategic planning and leading professional staff.
• Ability to direct, monitor, and implement policy initiatives and large time-sensitive projects and delegate work.
• Considerable experience with administrative functions in large complex governmental organizations regarding operations, financial, economic, and programmatic issues.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of regulatory and legislative processes, agency service and delivery techniques, program formulation, project management, and evaluation of activities.
• Knowledge of laws and practices related to real estate, transactions, settlement practices, records of title, title reports and abstracts, and title insurance practices.
• Experience in examining title reports, surveys, property descriptions, appraisals, and environmental surveys and reports.
• Effective organizational and time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple complex assignments and priorities within short time frames.
• Demonstrated sound problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to analyze data, problems, and situations to make critical policy and program decisions and accurately advise and assist client agencies.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including proven abilities to establish and maintain effective working relationships, negotiate, interact effectively with high level government officials and community leaders, and effectively present ideas and concepts to co-workers, agencies, managers, and vendors.
• Strong skill in the use of automated systems, including experience with Microsoft Excel, and proficiency with statistical and spreadsheet analysis.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license (or able to obtain VA license within 60 days of employment).

Additional Considerations

• Valid license or certificate to practice law.
• Considerable experience with Virginia’s state legislative and regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia, including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state and local Government Conflict of Interests Acts.
• Experience using real estate management software to maintain records, assess needs, and analyze and report trends.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and auditing standards.

Special Instructions

Applications will continue to be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received, but this position may be closed at any time after February 24, 2025. Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. Online applications should be submitted via jobs.virginia.gov and includeyour resume and a cover letter. While we encourage you to review all of the requirements and additional considerations in drafting your cover letter, we encourage you to specifically address the following:

1. Your experience with examining and drafting a wide array of legal documents and correspondence, including commercial real estate transaction documents and title reports;
2. Your ability to direct, monitor, and implement policy initiatives; and
3. The effectiveness and overarching impact of your experience serving as a leader and as an advisor and liaison for different legislative and legal matters.

Please note that some of the requirements and additional considerations will be addressed in your responses to the Supplemental Questions for this position.

Fax, e-mail, or mail applications will not be accepted. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application has been successfully submitted. Please refer to the “Your Application” page in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire. DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

The selected candidate must also pass a criminal background check and driving records check.

The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer and a proud Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified employer. Individuals from minoritized groups, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply. 

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.