Job Abstract

Telecare's mission is to deliver excellent and effective behavioral health services that engage individuals with complex needs in recovering their health, hopes, and dreams. Telecare continues to advance cultural diversity, humility, equity, and inclusion at all levels of our organization by hiring mental health peers, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and all belief systems.

Full Time - Hours vary as needed - Monday - Friday, Weekends

Expected starting wage range is $177,455.49 - $219,149.80. Telecare applies geographic differentials to its pay ranges. The pay range assigned to this role will be based on the geographic location from which the role is performed. Starting pay is commensurate with relevant experience above the minimum requirements.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will report directly to the General Counsel, with a dotted line reporting relationship with the Chief Human Resources Officer. As a key legal advisor, the Employment Counsel will provide day-to-day advice and counsel to the organization on a wide variety of labor and employment-related matters. This attorney will partner with stakeholders across Telecare including human resources, finance, risk, benefits, corporate responsibility, and leadership and staff at all levels to drive business initiatives and employee relations strategies with the goal of minimizing and mitigating employment related risks, achieving economies of scale, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory and statutory requirements. Although the Employment Counsel is regarded as an employment law subject matter expert, this individual will also have a strong working knowledge of traditional labor relations, as well as the flexibility and willingness to cultivate a diverse legal practice and to work in areas outside of labor and employment law as needed. The Employment Counsel will be responsible for overseeing settlement negotiations, and responding to agency actions, attorney demand letters, and single plaintiff complaints. This attorney will have competencies in navigating employee benefit plans, review and evaluation of contracts, oversight of external legal counsel and/or supervising other attorneys and legal staff, and conflict resolution.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

· J.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited law school, with strong academic credentials

· California Bar Admission in good standing

· Practicing attorney with 5-7 years of experience specializing in employment law (some of which may have been in-house), including advising clients, conducting trainings, handling significant employment litigation including but not limited to wage and hour and employment practices matters, managing/supervising other attorneys, appearing before federal and state agencies, responding to attorney demand letters and single plaintiff complaints.

· Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and other laws and regulations relating to labor and employment matters

· Strong working knowledge of traditional labor law

· Demonstrated excellence in client service

· Ability to spot and analyze complex issues and devise practical strategies and solutions

· An action-oriented individual who can proactively partner with leadership in a fast-paced, demanding work environment

· Strong alignment with Telecare’s mission and core values

· All opportunities at Telecare are contingent upon successful completion and receipt of acceptable results of the applicable post-offer physical examination, 2-step PPD test for tuberculosis, acceptable criminal background clearances, excluded party sanctions, and degree or license verification. If the position requires driving, valid driver’s license, a motor vehicle clearance and proof of auto insurance is required at time of employment and must be maintained throughout employment. Additional regulatory, contractual or local requirements may apply.

Preferred: Labor/Union experience is highly recommended

· Admitted to practice in any of WA, OR, NE or AZ (in addition to required CA Bar admission) or strong working knowledge of employment laws in these States

· Experience and expertise in any of the following: class actions, ESOP, and ERISA

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· Demonstrates the Telecare mission, purpose, values, and beliefs in everyday language and contact with the internal and external stakeholders

· Integral member of the in-house legal team, and primary legal support for all labor and employment issues

· Understands the importance of partnering with HR and Operations teams around training and proactively building an environment of preventing labor and employment issues

· Performs as trusted business advisor and legal counsel in day-to-day labor and employment related maters

· Provides expertise on matters related to all phases of the employment life cycle, including recruiting, performance management, wage & hour, contingent workers, HR practices, compensation plans, non-discrimination laws, return to work and accommodation issues, leaves of absence, employee benefits, and terminations

· Drafts and revises HR policies with input from key stakeholders

· Oversees the employment arbitration program

· Conducts internal and leadership trainings on employment related issues

· Represents Telecare before the EEOC, DFEH, LC, and other state and federal agencies, as well as manage all employment related litigation and pre-litigation demands

· Conduct or advise on HR compliance, internal investigations, workplace safety, and audits

· Drafts and negotiates employment-related agreements, including severance, incentive, non-compete/non-disclosure, and confidentiality agreements

· Partners with outside counsel to develop labor relations strategies, manage collective bargaining negotiations, and handle other union-related matters in the most cost effective manner

· Builds and maintains strong relationships with senior leadership, HR Managers and Employee Relations to accomplish shared business objectives

· Evaluate current and anticipate future trends and changes in labor and employment-related legislation and regulations potentially impacting Telecare’s business operations

· Supports other corporate functions, including employee benefits and contract review

· Analyzes litigation history for trends and recommend strategies to achieve improved compliance, cost-savings, and economies of scale

· Manages assigned functions within budget parameters, promoting cost-effective use of personnel, supplies, and other resources

· Collaborates, and where appropriate, assumes a leadership role with other administrative, operations, and key staff in employment-related activities with the goal of ensuring ongoing program/corporate effectiveness

· Satisfies all continuing legal education requirements

· Promotes Telecare’s mission and business interests by actively participating in relevant professional organizations

· Identifies factors driving employment-related litigation costs and/or negatively impacting employee morale

· Performs audits of HR policies/practices to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal law

· Establishes policy review standards and protocols. Develops systems to ensure employment relations policies are continually in compliance and accessible to leaders and staff

· Reviews employment legal bills to ensure cost-effective and efficient management of claims and legal matters

· Inspire and motivate others to be a best-in-class company for employee safety, satisfaction, and to maintain employment practices in compliance with law and regulations

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and/or changed at the discretion of management.

SKILLS

· Excellent advocacy, communication, and drafting skills

· Responsive, self-motivated attorney with strong interpersonal skills to collaborative effectively with co-workers at all levels

· Flexible and adaptable, able to work efficiently with rapidly shifting priorities

· Superior negotiation and persuasive skills

· Superior organization and project management skills

· Exceptional ability to identify and analyze complex issues

· Creativity in devising practical strategies and solutions

· Sense of humor and commitment to professionalism and collegiality

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel, twist, reach and lift and carry items weighing 10 pounds or less as well as to frequently sit. The position requires manual deviation, repetition and dexterity and to occasionally drive and to constantly converse on the telephone.

EOE AA M/F/V/Disability

If job posting references any sign-on bonus internal applicants and applicants employed with Telecare in the previous 12 months would not be eligible.