General Counsel

North Wind, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CIRI, is an Alaska Native Corporation and small disadvantaged business.  We are a small business leader in the environmental, engineering, and construction service industries.  We possess wide-ranging capabilities and resources that allow us to self-perform our work, providing our customers with significant cost savings.

Position Overview:

Serves as the chief legal officer for CIRI Development Corporation DBA North Wind Group and the North Wind Group Board of Directors. The General Counsel oversees the retention and work of outside counsel representing North Wind Group, and provides legal advice and counsel to management. The General Counsel directs defense against suits and/or claims and initiates proceedings against third parties against whom North Wind Group has cognizable claims, including the analysis and negotiation of settlements. The General Counsel supervises the preparation of reports and other statements of a legal nature, and as its Compliance Officer, advises Board of Directors on matters of corporate governance and oversees its corporate compliance program.

Responsibilities:

• Provides general legal advice and counsel to officers and management acting within their scope of employment, the Board of Directors and other departments and subsidiaries, on all relevant areas of law.
• Advises the Board of Directors and its committees in matters of corporate governance, or as otherwise requested by the Board.
• Implements and enforces corporate compliance program and government contracts program.
• Analyzes, negotiates and drafts contracts and other legal agreements.
• Supervises and directs litigation and alternative dispute resolution regarding claims on behalf of and asserted against North Wind Group and/or its subsidiaries, including analysis and negotiation of settlements.
• Provides ongoing review of current policies and procedures for compliance with applicable law.
• Retains, oversees and directs the scope of work of outside counsel conducting litigation and non-litigation matters.
• Supervises and defends North Wind Group in regulatory proceedings, including environmental actions and labor grievances, initiated against North Wind Group and its subsidiaries.
• Provides legal advice regarding union matters, including union agreements.
• Represents North Wind Group and its subsidiaries in legal briefing and hearings or court appearances, as necessary.
• Responsible for the Legal Department budget, including management of budgets associated with outside counsel.
• Interprets SBA regulations associated with North Wind Group Small Business status.
• Provides support in government contracting issues, including proposal responses and appeals.

Qualifications:

Minimum Experience:

J.D. or LL.M. from top quality law school and strong academic record. 5 years or more experience with the SBA and FAR and active practice of law in a corporate environment in areas relevant to Government Contracting.

Skills/Abilities:

• Extensive familiarity with the government contracting process.
• Extensive knowledge regarding Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations and related case law, with particular emphasis on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Alaskan Native Corporation SBA provisions.
• High level understanding of government contracting issues, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and other rules and regulations involved with government contracting.
• Maintenance of proficiency in all pertinent regulatory changes impacting North Wind Group and/or its subsidiary entities.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with an emphasis on the presentation of legal material in a meaningful manner to the ultimate decision makers.
• High level of skill in building effective and cooperative relationships with other departments within North Wind Group and its subsidiaries, as well as with the management of affiliated companies.
• Ability to use legal advice to assist in business decision-making.
• Ability to perform legal analysis of claims and defenses; prepare and analyze contracts and other binding business documents.
• Understanding of, and preferably experience in, litigation to supervise outside counsel conducting litigation, and facilitating settlement through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution.
• Knowledge of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and their provisions relating to the rights and responsibilities of Native corporations and their shareholders (as necessary).

Compensation: North Wind Group offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment and random testing.