All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
Required Education:
Juris Doctor
Additional Information:
Employer will assist with relocation costs.
Buncombe County Government is hiring a County Attorney. This position is a key member of Buncombe County’s leadership team and is appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. This position supports initiatives across all County Departments and their work in our 2025 Strategic Plan focus areas. We expect the first round of interviews to occur at the end of September, with in-person panel interviews to follow. We hope to have a hire in place in late October.
Purpose of the position: This position is appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. The purpose of this position is to act as legal counsel and advisor to the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and Senior Staff serving as a subject matter expert in a variety of legal areas that typically pertain to municipal government.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Juris Doctor Degree, and eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law, including work for local government; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: North Carolina State Bar License is required by date of hire; Valid NC Driver’s License
Essential Functions of the position:
Provide County officials and departments with legal counsel to include research of issues presented and provision of legal opinions through oral and written response.
Directs the preparation of ordinances, resolutions, and proclamations for the Commission; prepares other legislation affecting the County.
Evaluate complex legal issues; advise appropriate County personnel on recommended or required course of action; issue legal opinions on behalf of the County; assist County staff and departments with legal inquiries or problems.
Defend administration actions against the County by preparation of written County response.
Draft and interpret complex legal documents including opinions, briefs, contracts, reports, correspondence, and other legal and non-legal documents.
Answer legal inquiries from County officials; prepare legal opinions on the more complex matters concerning the powers and duties of various boards and commissions.
Attend meetings of the County Commission, render legal advice upon request, and review the legal propriety of documents under consideration by the Commission or County administrative officials.
Supervise and participate in litigation matters brought against the County or filed on behalf of the County.
Develop and Implement Risk and Compliance Strategies: Analyze legal risks associated with County operations and develop strategies to mitigate them. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations by advising County departments on risk management and compliance best practices. Conduct regular reviews and audits of County policies and procedures to identify potential areas of risk and recommend necessary changes to maintain legal and regulatory compliance.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of NC General Statutes, federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures regarding county government.
Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, judicial procedure, and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of County organization, departments, and functions.
Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of governmental law.
Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
Skills in statutory interpretation and legal research analyses and writing.
Ability to analyze legal aspects of governmental problems and to provide sound advice and assistance as needed.
Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
Ability to present facts, law, and arguments clearly, logically, and persuasively.
Ability to draft ordinances, regulations, policies, rules, opinions, and orders.
Ability to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the County.
Ability to direct and evaluate the work assigned personnel.
Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions, and to use legal source material in technical research.
Our Mission & Goals
Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where residents succeed, thrive, and realize their potential.
Our Mission
We promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life.
We provide effective and efficient government our residents can trust.
We deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.
To achieve this mission, Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
VALUES
Respect
Integrity
Collaboration
Honesty
Equity
General Government
Improve communications with residents through public meetings, media, and integrated technology.
Provide high-quality, cost-effective, fair and equitable service through process improvement, efficient use of resources, contracted services, materials, and equipment.
Ensure high quality service by attracting and retaining a qualified work f...orce through competitive compensation, employment benefits, employee training, and employee recognition.
Continuously improve internal and external customer satisfaction through ongoing analysis and response to customer feedback.
Assure fiscal and programmatic accountability to residents through internal and external reporting and well documented, clearly communicated procedures.
Human Services
Encourage client independence and self-sufficiency by providing basic care and protection while promoting self-reliance.
Address the current and changing needs of individuals by making efficient use of available resources.
Respond effectively to the needs of individuals and families by providing flexibility in service delivery.
Maximize the effectiveness of county services by establishing collaborative planning, development, and evaluation of human service programs among county departments.
Enhance human service programs by encouraging collaboration through community partnerships.
Culture & Recreation
Meet the changing needs of our diverse community by developing, supporting, and encouraging access to appropriate technological, educational, and recreational programs.
Improve the cost-effectiveness of recreational services by developing recreation facilities and programs that are self- maintained through user fees, sponsorships, donations, and grants.
Enhance residents’ quality of life by developing library and recreation facilities with easy access to neighborhoods.
Respond to the growth and diversity of community-wide programs and facilities through appropriate staffing levels.
Ensure the quality of recreation and library facilities by establishing and maintaining county-wide construction and operation standards.
Environmental
Minimize the cost of solid waste disposal by utilizing the most appropriate, environmentally sensitive, and economically sound technologies available.
Improve water quality through pollutant source reduction and public education.
Reduce the amount of disposed household hazardous wastes through effective public education initiatives.
Improve customer convenience and service by streamlining the permitting process.
Improve air quality through public education and cooperation between agencies, departments, and private corporations.
Education
Improve the likelihood of students’ school success by assuring that all children enter primary school equipped to learn and gain maximum benefits from their educational opportunities.
Create an environment which encourages high school graduation including: expectations of both a demonstrated competence in fundamental skills and knowledge at the end of the 8th grade and a commitment to either college prep., tech prep., or occu-prep.
Enable students to succeed in the technology-oriented global marketplace by graduating them with the necessary skills, setting uncompromising standards of high performance, and requiring accountability for the educators, students, and parents.
Meet the region’s complex education needs by establishing programs which make education more accessible, expand graduate programs, and promote high-quality research, technology transfer, and economic development.
Economic & Physical Development
Attract and sustain companies providing above average wages through the recruitment, development, and retention of a highly skilled and competent work force.
Strengthen economic vitality by attracting and retaining high-wage industries with emphasis on technology-driven companies while maintaining a balanced mix of employment opportunities.
Balance the need for additional economic and population growth opportunities with environmental stewardship through well-planned infrastructure expansion.
Promote economic development within the region by fostering cooperative partnerships with local, regional, and state entities.
Facilitate economic growth by eliminating impediments to small business and entrepreneurial expansions.