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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00186389 |
Description Activated On: 2/10/2026 3:30:18 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. As staff Counsel to the State Employees' Retirement Board, this position is accountable for legal work of a high degree of professional responsibility and specialized nature in connection with the investment of the retirement system’s funds, the administration of the Deferred Compensation Plan, the administration of the Defined Contribution Plan, and the general business operations of the agency in accordance with fiduciary duties and standards. (References in this position description to “SERS” also include the State Employees’ Defined Contribution Plan, the Commonwealth’s Deferred Compensation Plan, and the Benefits Completion Plan.) |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Serve as legal counsel to SERS and its Board on various investment and business-related matters. Provide general legal advice in the form of written memoranda on investment and plan administration issues as requested by the Board, Investment Office, Defined Contribution Plan program staff or Deferred Compensation Plan program staff, subject to the supervision of higher-level attorneys for non-routine matters. Attend Board, Board Committee, and client management meetings as needed to provide legal advice and guidance on investment and business administration matters. Draft, review, examine, negotiate, and modify, inter alia, investment management agreements, limited partnership agreements, subscription agreements, side letter agreements, collective investment trust organizational documents and related documentation, as well as non-investment related transactional documents, proposed to be executed by SERS, subject to the supervision of higher-level attorneys for non-routine matters. Review and, to the extent required, prepare or review transaction documents; coordinate or assist in coordinating with Investment Office and investment advisors, in the case of investment transactions, and other SERS’ staff in the case of non-investment-related matters, as to efficacy and accuracy of documentation for agreed-to and customary terms and conditions; coordinate or assist in coordinating further review and approval by Office of Attorney General and Comptroller, as required. Monitor and oversee execution of documents by authorized SERS personnel. Assist Investment Office in administration of investments, (e.g., regarding agreement amendments, consents, waivers, matters of interpretation, rights and remedies, enforcement). Assist Deputy Chief Counsel in the monitoring of SERS’ portfolio holdings to identify federal securities class action filings and foreign securities litigation filings, in accordance with board policy, to determine appropriate course of action and ensure timely filings of proofs of claim. Serve as legal counsel to SERS and its Board, management, and staff in a variety of non-investment transactional matters, including review and approval of agency contracts for goods and services. Advise Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel directly of all investment issues of importance to SERS. Represent and serve as agent of SERS, acting to protect the interests of SERS. Maintain contacts outside SERS, including relevant federal, state or local departments, boards, and agencies; outside counsel; federal and state legislators; and consultants engaged on behalf of SERS. Interface with other Commonwealth agencies and the Office of Attorney General (OAG). Assist in the drafting of statutes and regulations as needed. Perform other job-related duties as required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. This position reports directly to the Deputy Chief Counsel, Business and Transactions organizationally and for most duties. Work entails completing complex transactions often involving large sums of money and usually presenting difficult legal problems that must be resolved on a timely basis to meet binding commitments, closing schedules, and other legal deadlines. Most work product is subject to zero-defect objectives. As an Attorney 3, the incumbent in this job performs professional legal work that ranges from moderately difficult to complex. The variety of work includes the full range of investment, procurement and business transactions related matters. This attorney is available to assist and guide junior attorneys with their assigned duties upon request. This attorney’s work involves personal responsibility and accountability for difficult and important legal matters within the agency. This attorney functions independently, and the incumbent’s work is subject to general supervision. This attorney evaluates and negotiates legal transaction documents as assigned by Chief Counsel or Deputy Chief Counsel and recommends a course of action and solutions to problems. The incumbent obtains approval by Deputy Chief Counsel and/or Chief Counsel before approving contracts for form and legality but has authority to approve other transactions that do not rise to the level of contracts needing form and legality approval. This attorney consults and accepts guidance from higher level SERS attorneys on legal issues of unusual complexity, sensitivity, or importance. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: * Must possess Certificate of Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania * Must be and remain compliant with continuing education licensure requirements Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. License to practice law in Pennsylvania 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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