$126,380.80 - $148,678.40 | 33 North High Street, Columbus, OH, United States | Salary | Legal Affairs | Full Time Join the organization that received Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award from the American Public Transit Association in 2018 & 2020! Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is central Ohio's public transportation provider, providing nearly 19 million passenger trips per year servicing Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Fairfield, Licking and Union counties. Guided by our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan, our vision is to move every life forward. Our mission is to provide solutions that connect people to prosperity through innovation, dedication and teamwork. Salary: $126,380.80 - $148,678.40 Location: 33 N. High St. Columbus, OH Benefits: COTA offers competitive benefits including: medical/Rx, vision, dental, supplemental insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, employee discounts, employee bus pass; wellness initiatives, on-site cooking classes & chair massages, on-site Health Coaches & Dietitians, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation. Position Summary: Performs construction and commercial transactional work and provides competent in-house legal counsel, analysis, and research pertaining to COTA's legal issues and concerns. Manages and addresses legal issues associated with COTA's construction management. Also manages and addresses legal, contractual, and transactional issues associated with COTA's procurement of goods and services and other commercial transactions relating to public transit, development, innovation and information technology, marketing, finance, transportation, public records, and other corporate matters affecting COTA. Performs duties in alignment with the COTA Strategic Plan and in support of the organization's vision To Move Every Life Forward. This Position is Responsible For: + Serves as primary legal advisor for COTA on all construction and commercial transactions matters and as legal advisor on other legal matters as assigned; + Works closely with COTA's Division of Infrastructure, Engineering, and Maintenance to analyze the correct construction delivery procurement method. Draft, review, and negotiate appropriate contract terms for each construction project to protect COTA's interests; + Liaising and negotiating with civil authorities to obtain planning permission and building approvals; and, + Advises on local, state and federal (United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration) laws and regulations regarding construction and capital projects; advises staff on contract modifications and reviews construction specifications to ensure compliance with state and federal law, COTA's policies and applicable grant requirements. + Provides analysis, research, recommendations, and advice concerning design, construction, and management of governmental property; + Provide guidance on risk management and liability issues associated with construction activities; + Resolve construction and change order disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation. + Advise of the procurement of resources and materials, including Buy America; advise on health and safety, insurance, liability, and environmental matters relating to each project; + Visit construction sites and meet with stakeholders periodically to monitor progress and proactively identify and address issues; + Works with staff and outside counsel to identify and resolve construction project related disputes; and, + Works collaboratively with COTA personnel and external stakeholders to strategize all of the COTA's transactions to acquire, manage, and dispose of contracts associated with capital projects, construction, development, operations, routine business, and associated matters. + Provide analysis, research, recommendations, and advice concerning COTA legal issues to individuals with various levels of seniority in the organization, including but not limited to the President & CEO, Deputy CEO, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees when necessary; and + Work closely with professionals in other disciplines including finance, engineers, regulators, and real estate to ensure due diligence is carried out; and, + Regularly meet and communicate with relevant Division and Department management and staff to provide legal advice relevant to the preparation, revision and/or amendment of various legal documents including requests for bid documents, requests for proposal documents, requests for qualifications, construction contracts, professional services contracts, contracts for equipment and material purchases, and software licenses/agreements. + Conduct legal research and prepare memorandums and related written or oral communications concerning COTA's continued compliance with relevant procurement, and/or other applicable laws or regulations, including federal procurement law, regulations and Federal Transit Administration best practices and any other laws, regulations, ordinances or best practices that may be applicable to COTA's procurement, construction projects, or general operating practices and procedures pursuant to the law or a grant funding agreement. + Provides counsel and analysis by working collaboratively with COTA personnel in order to assist in the management of complex commercial transactions, including but not limited to contracts (e.g. purchases, goods & services, licenses, security, financing & grants, construction, marketing, etc.), environmental, finance, information technology, transit and transportation, general business and corporate transactions, and public records; At Minimum You'll Need: + Requires a Juris Doctor and ten (10) years of legal experience in matters pertaining to construction, development, contracts, finance, and procurement. + Requires admission to the Ohio Bar and Federal Court licensure. COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are of core importance and essential to the success of the organization. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. COTA believes that diverse and inclusive organizations gain the benefits in creating a stronger and more effective workforce resulting in services that better meet the needs of consumers and in result Move Every Life Forward