Salary: $138,569.60 - $214,801.60 Annually
Location : 1011 Union Street, San Diego
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Office of General Counsel
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: 7/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Description Role The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking a specialized Counsel (reporting to the General Counsel) to focus exclusively on the complex landscape of employment law and human resources. This is a critical role for a legal professional who excels at proactive risk management.
In this position, you will move beyond high-level advice to become a hands-on architect of our workplace culture, ensuring that every stage of the employee lifecycle-from the first interview to post-employment-is legally sound and ethically grounded.
Overview of the Office of General Counsel Working in close collaboration with members of the Executive Office, and employees throughout the organization, the Office of General Counsel has a reputation for providing outstanding legal advice and partnering on projects and initiatives that contribute to the overall success of the agency. SANDAG functions in a complex environment and the Legal team is known for being innovative and proactive in facilitating decisions that support achievement of the agency's goals.
Salary Range: The offer will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
Annual Salary Range for Senior Legal Counsel: $138,570- $214,802
Job Responsibilities Positions at the Senior level perform complex and difficult legal duties that require highly specialized skills, advanced technical knowledge, strategy development, and expertise, and exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties.
- Audit and overhaul agency-wide practices to ensure strict adherence to the FLSA (exempt/non-exempt classifications), FMLA/CFRA, and ADA/FEHA interactive processes.
- Serve as primary counsel in defending the agency against claims filed with the EEOC, DLSE, or equivalent state civil rights departments.
- Provide direct legal oversight for complex disability requests, ensuring the agency meets its "good faith" obligations while maintaining operational standards.
- Guide management through the legal requirements of public sector discipline, including advising on administrative evidentiary hearings.
- Assist with high-level privileged investigations into sensitive allegations of discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, or misconduct.
- Develop and deliver customized legal training for supervisors on implicit bias, harassment prevention, and documentation best practices to mitigate litigation risk before it starts.
- Conduct regular audits of payroll practices, meal and rest break compliance, and independent contractor classifications
Typical Qualifications - Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience practicing employment law. Candidates with a mix of private firm defense and public agency experience are highly encouraged.
- Deep knowledge of Title VII, the ADEA, and state-specific employment codes.
- A firm grasp of Constitutional Law as it pertains to public employment (e.g., First Amendment retaliation claims and Fourth Amendment privacy expectations).
- Ability to mediate internal disputes and facilitate difficult conversations between management and staff.
- Confidence in presenting legal risks and policy recommendations to a Board of Directors or elected officials.
- The skill to dissect complex statutes and apply them to the nuances of public service operations.
- Absolute integrity in handling highly sensitive personnel records and confidential investigations.
- Experience performing and coordinating supervisory and advanced level professional, analytical, and administrative duties for assigned Office of General Counsel programs, services, and activities.
- Experience providing comprehensive legal support and strategic guidance for complex, multi-phase organizational initiatives and long-term projects.
- Experience developing and composing draft state, federal, and local legislation.
- The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check.
This recruitment is open for a two-week period or until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
This employer does not participate in the federal E-Verify program. Employment is contingent upon the employee's ability to provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.
Expected start date: August 2026
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including:
- Hybrid work options
- 9/80 flexible work schedule
- Pay-for-performance merit increases
- Retirement - Defined Benefit Plan with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
- Retirement - 457 Defined Contribution Plan with Voya
- Excellent health insurance options for employees and their eligible dependents
- Free dental and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents
- Education Assistance of up to $5,250 a year for regular employees
- Free transit pass for use throughout the San Diego region, bus, Rapid Express, Trolley, and COASTER
- Paid time off including 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, generous paid time off (PTO) per year, depending on length of service
- Manager and Principal level positions are offered a three-year At-Will employment contract, which provides an annual $5,000 contribution to their defined contribution plan.
01
SANDAG employees are expected to live within the San Diego region and work in-person in our San Diego office; there are hybrid options available (typically on-site Tuesdays and Fridays and on an as-needed basis.) This is not a fully remote position. Are you able and willing to adhere to the onsite and work schedule described above?
02
This employer does not participate in the federal E-Verify program. Employment is contingent upon the employee's ability to provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by federal law.Will you now or will you in the future require employment visa sponsorship?
03
Are you currently a member in good standing of the State Bar of California?
04
Are you a graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree?
05
How many years of professional experience do you have practicing employment law?
- 0-4 years
- 5-9 years
- 10-14 years
- 15+ years
06
What is your level of knowledge of Title VII, the ADEA, and state-specific employment codes?
- No Experience
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Expert
07
What is your level of knowledge of Constitutional Law as it pertains to public employment (e.g., First Amendment retaliation claims and Fourth Amendment privacy expectations).
- No Experience
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Expert
08
The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check. Periodic re-checking of criminal background history will be a condition of employment. Are you able to comply with this requirement?
Required Question
Salary: $138,569.60 - $214,801.60 Annually
Location : 1011 Union Street, San Diego
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Office of General Counsel
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: 7/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Description Role The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is seeking a specialized Counsel (reporting to the General Counsel) to focus exclusively on the complex landscape of employment law and human resources. This is a critical role for a legal professional who excels at proactive risk management.
In this position, you will move beyond high-level advice to become a hands-on architect of our workplace culture, ensuring that every stage of the employee lifecycle-from the first interview to post-employment-is legally sound and ethically grounded.
Overview of the Office of General Counsel Working in close collaboration with members of the Executive Office, and employees throughout the organization, the Office of General Counsel has a reputation for providing outstanding legal advice and partnering on projects and initiatives that contribute to the overall success of the agency. SANDAG functions in a complex environment and the Legal team is known for being innovative and proactive in facilitating decisions that support achievement of the agency's goals.
Salary Range: The offer will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.
Annual Salary Range for Senior Legal Counsel: $138,570- $214,802
Job Responsibilities Positions at the Senior level perform complex and difficult legal duties that require highly specialized skills, advanced technical knowledge, strategy development, and expertise, and exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties.
- Audit and overhaul agency-wide practices to ensure strict adherence to the FLSA (exempt/non-exempt classifications), FMLA/CFRA, and ADA/FEHA interactive processes.
- Serve as primary counsel in defending the agency against claims filed with the EEOC, DLSE, or equivalent state civil rights departments.
- Provide direct legal oversight for complex disability requests, ensuring the agency meets its "good faith" obligations while maintaining operational standards.
- Guide management through the legal requirements of public sector discipline, including advising on administrative evidentiary hearings.
- Assist with high-level privileged investigations into sensitive allegations of discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, or misconduct.
- Develop and deliver customized legal training for supervisors on implicit bias, harassment prevention, and documentation best practices to mitigate litigation risk before it starts.
- Conduct regular audits of payroll practices, meal and rest break compliance, and independent contractor classifications
Typical Qualifications - Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience practicing employment law. Candidates with a mix of private firm defense and public agency experience are highly encouraged.
- Deep knowledge of Title VII, the ADEA, and state-specific employment codes.
- A firm grasp of Constitutional Law as it pertains to public employment (e.g., First Amendment retaliation claims and Fourth Amendment privacy expectations).
- Ability to mediate internal disputes and facilitate difficult conversations between management and staff.
- Confidence in presenting legal risks and policy recommendations to a Board of Directors or elected officials.
- The skill to dissect complex statutes and apply them to the nuances of public service operations.
- Absolute integrity in handling highly sensitive personnel records and confidential investigations.
- Experience performing and coordinating supervisory and advanced level professional, analytical, and administrative duties for assigned Office of General Counsel programs, services, and activities.
- Experience providing comprehensive legal support and strategic guidance for complex, multi-phase organizational initiatives and long-term projects.
- Experience developing and composing draft state, federal, and local legislation.
- The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check.
This recruitment is open for a two-week period or until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
This employer does not participate in the federal E-Verify program. Employment is contingent upon the employee's ability to provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.
Expected start date: August 2026
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including:
- Hybrid work options
- 9/80 flexible work schedule
- Pay-for-performance merit increases
- Retirement - Defined Benefit Plan with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
- Retirement - 457 Defined Contribution Plan with Voya
- Excellent health insurance options for employees and their eligible dependents
- Free dental and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents
- Education Assistance of up to $5,250 a year for regular employees
- Free transit pass for use throughout the San Diego region, bus, Rapid Express, Trolley, and COASTER
- Paid time off including 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, generous paid time off (PTO) per year, depending on length of service
- Manager and Principal level positions are offered a three-year At-Will employment contract, which provides an annual $5,000 contribution to their defined contribution plan.
01
SANDAG employees are expected to live within the San Diego region and work in-person in our San Diego office; there are hybrid options available (typically on-site Tuesdays and Fridays and on an as-needed basis.) This is not a fully remote position. Are you able and willing to adhere to the onsite and work schedule described above?
02
This employer does not participate in the federal E-Verify program. Employment is contingent upon the employee's ability to provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by federal law.Will you now or will you in the future require employment visa sponsorship?
03
Are you currently a member in good standing of the State Bar of California?
04
Are you a graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree?
05
How many years of professional experience do you have practicing employment law?
- 0-4 years
- 5-9 years
- 10-14 years
- 15+ years
06
What is your level of knowledge of Title VII, the ADEA, and state-specific employment codes?
- No Experience
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Expert
07
What is your level of knowledge of Constitutional Law as it pertains to public employment (e.g., First Amendment retaliation claims and Fourth Amendment privacy expectations).
- No Experience
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Expert
08
The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check. Periodic re-checking of criminal background history will be a condition of employment. Are you able to comply with this requirement?
Required Question
