VRE General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer
Apply NowCompany: Virginia Railway Express Americaneagle.com, Inc.
Location: Alexandria, VA 22304
Description:
General Counsel
Position Opportunity Announcement
Application Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025
VRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer
About the Position
Unique, sole practitioner opportunity at the intersection of local and regional government law and commuter rail operations law. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), the co-owners and co-operators of the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service (VRE), are seeking a seasoned attorney with local VA government law experience to serve as the Commissions' in-house General Counsel for all VRE related matters. The General Counsel is employed by, and reports directly to NVTC and PRTC, as well as to the VRE Operations Board which is a joint committee of the Commissions and to which the Commissions have delegated authority to act in specified matters in the name of the Commissions.
Typical duties include but are not limited to providing legal advice and representation to NVTC, PRTC, and the VRE Chief Executive Officer and a staff of approximately 55 regarding public meeting procedures and Freedom of Information Act requirements applicable to the Commissions and Operations Board and staff; federal, state, and regional grant agreements and requirements; debt financing; personnel and EEO matters; procurement and contract formation and administration, particularly related to capital construction; real estate matters to include land purchase and sale, leases, easements, and licenses; tort liability under the VA Tort Claims Act, and risk management and insurance; and federal and state legislative matters.
The General Counsel is based at VRE headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia and is eligible for telework consistent with VRE requirements (currently three in-office days per week). Additional work hours include attendance at evening and weekend meetings or events. Some local and regional travel is required.
Education, Qualifications, & Experience
Minimum:
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school Current Virginia State Bar license Five (5) years of experience representing Virginia local governments In-depth knowledge and experience providing counsel on the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Virginia Public Procurement Act, Conflict of Interests Act, and Virginia Public Records Act In-depth knowledge and experience providing counsel on state and federal personnel laws and regulations (e.g., grievances, EEO charges, ADA issues, FMLA issues) In-depth knowledge and experience providing counsel on real estate transactions (e.g., purchase and sale agreements, easements, leases, licenses) In-depth knowledge and experience with capital construction and alternate project delivery methods (e.g., design/build, construction manager/general contractor, P3) In-depth knowledge and experience with tort liability of governmental entities in VA Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communications skills (orally and in writing) Demonstrated ability to anticipate legal risk and provide guidance and advice
Preferred:
1. Commuter rail operations experience strongly preferred to include working knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to passenger rail equipment and operations
2. Federal grants experience (e.g., FTA and FRA)
3. State funding and grants experience (e.g., DRPT and VDOT)
4. Regional funding and grants experience (e.g., NVTA, NVTC)
5. Labor relations experience
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, in-house position offering a competitive salary depending on the experience and credentials of the successful candidate. Robust benefits package includes:
About the Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), the name of a joint project of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, provides safe, cost effective, accessible, reliable, convenient, and comfortable commuter-oriented rail passenger service. VRE operates thirty-two trains each weekday on two freight rail lines, Fredericksburg and Manassas, which converge in Alexandria and continue into the District of Columbia. With nineteen total stations in the rail system, most trains run north in the morning from Manassas and Spotsylvania County and south from Washington's Union Station in the afternoon/evening. The Commissions have an aggressive proposed 2050 Systems Plan that would introduce greatly expanded service throughout the day, including weekends, and just adopted a Capital Improvement Program exceeding a billion dollars to implement track and station capital improvements in the rail corridor and to purchase rail equipment needed to make the expanded service possible.
VRE is founded upon a Master Agreement for the Provision of Commuter Rail Services, the parties to which are the Commissions and nine cities and counties who are members of NVTC or PRTC. VRE contributes to the economic development of its member jurisdictions and is an integral part of a balanced, intermodal regional transportation system.
Our Culture... VRE's workforce is comprised of a passionate and dedicated workforce. The culture is collaborative, team spirited and highly focused on safety and people - both customers and employees. Every individual is valued, effective communication is a top priority, and the friendly atmosphere is inviting and fosters engagement, productivity, and business results.
Application Process
Application materials will be accepted online only. For more information and to apply, visit the VRE External Career Center. Application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2025.
Position Opportunity Announcement
Application Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025
VRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer
About the Position
Unique, sole practitioner opportunity at the intersection of local and regional government law and commuter rail operations law. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), the co-owners and co-operators of the Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service (VRE), are seeking a seasoned attorney with local VA government law experience to serve as the Commissions' in-house General Counsel for all VRE related matters. The General Counsel is employed by, and reports directly to NVTC and PRTC, as well as to the VRE Operations Board which is a joint committee of the Commissions and to which the Commissions have delegated authority to act in specified matters in the name of the Commissions.
Typical duties include but are not limited to providing legal advice and representation to NVTC, PRTC, and the VRE Chief Executive Officer and a staff of approximately 55 regarding public meeting procedures and Freedom of Information Act requirements applicable to the Commissions and Operations Board and staff; federal, state, and regional grant agreements and requirements; debt financing; personnel and EEO matters; procurement and contract formation and administration, particularly related to capital construction; real estate matters to include land purchase and sale, leases, easements, and licenses; tort liability under the VA Tort Claims Act, and risk management and insurance; and federal and state legislative matters.
The General Counsel is based at VRE headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia and is eligible for telework consistent with VRE requirements (currently three in-office days per week). Additional work hours include attendance at evening and weekend meetings or events. Some local and regional travel is required.
Education, Qualifications, & Experience
Minimum:
Preferred:
1. Commuter rail operations experience strongly preferred to include working knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to passenger rail equipment and operations
2. Federal grants experience (e.g., FTA and FRA)
3. State funding and grants experience (e.g., DRPT and VDOT)
4. Regional funding and grants experience (e.g., NVTA, NVTC)
5. Labor relations experience
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, in-house position offering a competitive salary depending on the experience and credentials of the successful candidate. Robust benefits package includes:
- Virginia Retirement System (VRS) membership
- No and low-premium health insurance options
- Dental and vision insurance
- Disability and life insurance
- Pre-tax childcare and health flexible spending plans
- Paid time off including a generous number of holidays
- No cost travel on VRE trains, free office parking, and/or commuter transit benefits
- Continuing legal education, professional development, and tuition reimbursement
About the Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), the name of a joint project of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, provides safe, cost effective, accessible, reliable, convenient, and comfortable commuter-oriented rail passenger service. VRE operates thirty-two trains each weekday on two freight rail lines, Fredericksburg and Manassas, which converge in Alexandria and continue into the District of Columbia. With nineteen total stations in the rail system, most trains run north in the morning from Manassas and Spotsylvania County and south from Washington's Union Station in the afternoon/evening. The Commissions have an aggressive proposed 2050 Systems Plan that would introduce greatly expanded service throughout the day, including weekends, and just adopted a Capital Improvement Program exceeding a billion dollars to implement track and station capital improvements in the rail corridor and to purchase rail equipment needed to make the expanded service possible.
VRE is founded upon a Master Agreement for the Provision of Commuter Rail Services, the parties to which are the Commissions and nine cities and counties who are members of NVTC or PRTC. VRE contributes to the economic development of its member jurisdictions and is an integral part of a balanced, intermodal regional transportation system.
Our Culture... VRE's workforce is comprised of a passionate and dedicated workforce. The culture is collaborative, team spirited and highly focused on safety and people - both customers and employees. Every individual is valued, effective communication is a top priority, and the friendly atmosphere is inviting and fosters engagement, productivity, and business results.
Application Process
Application materials will be accepted online only. For more information and to apply, visit the VRE External Career Center. Application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2025.