Attorney III

State of Nebraska•Lincoln, NE

14d•$36 - $54

About The Position

The Nebraska State Patrol is seeking a well-qualified, experienced candidate to join the Legal Division as an Attorney III. Do you like a little bit of everything the law has to offer and love learning new things? Are you a natural problem solver? Are you looking for a little legal variety? Are you a prosecutor or former prosecutor still wanting to work with law enforcement from a different vantage point? If so, the Patrol may have the attorney position for you! In addition to a competitive salary commensurate with experience and an excellent work – life balance, this position offers the successful candidate an opportunity to apply their experience to a vast area of the law. The Legal Division, comprised of one paralegal, one public records specialist, and four attorneys, advises Agency personnel regarding everything from criminal and civil law, to employment and transactional/regulatory issues. There is no "average day", but it may include employment and labor law issues, contract review/drafting, determinations as to issuance of a concealed handgun permit, subpoena responses, collaborating with numerous federal and local agencies, statutory and regulatory interpretation, legislation review and drafting, advising sworn personnel on criminal law matters, completion of legal determinations involving the Nebraska sex offender registry, and much more. Occasional travel to the Training Academy to instruct new recruits or existing personnel regarding various legal topics pertinent to law enforcement will provide the opportunity for the right candidate to become a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor within the state of Nebraska. Pay rate may be commensurate with education and/or experience within fiscal constraints, if approved. (Hourly rate range: $35.982-$53.970)

Requirements

Three years of experience as an attorney practicing law and providing legal services such as preparing and trying cases, advising clients, and/or interpreting laws or administrative policies.
In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of l943, incumbents in this class must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.
Please include a resume and writing sample such as a case brief or analysis of a recent criminal law case ruling. Self-prepared teaching materials regarding criminal law are acceptable in lieu of a case brief or analysis. Resumes will not be accepted as a substitute to your applicant information. Failure to complete all areas of your employment application may result in your application being disqualified from our selection process.
Regular and reliable attendance is expected.
Applicants will be screened for a record of criminal activity and criminal history using a fingerprint-based check, before a final offer of employment is made. Applicants must be free of felony convictions.
Applicants cannot maintain a continuous association or dealings with persons, groups, or organizations that they know, or should know are persons or groups or organizations under criminal investigation or indictment or who have a reputation for present, ongoing involvement in felonious or criminal behavior.
Applicant must successfully complete an extensive background screening prior to being employed, which includes completion of a Personal History Questionnaire.
Selection process will include an interview.
Knowledge of: State and/or federal statutory and case law and constitutional provisions pertinent to agency programs The techniques of preparing or drafting legal document and forms Judicial procedures and rules of evidence The principles and practices of legal research The procedures of trial and administrative hearings The principles and practices of criminal and civil law administration
Skill in: Preparing summaries, legal analyses, findings and conclusions, briefs and other legal documents, negotiating and communicating with others sufficient to persuade their acceptance of contentious goals or viewpoints Analyzing and interpreting various factors, perspectives, and options and applying critical thinking to resolve issues
Ability to: Prepare and communicate in person and by telephone, emails, summaries, and correspondence, the facts and arguments of a case to persuade others to accept the viewpoint presented Interact with legal associates, other governmental employees, the public, and representatives of parties involved in a case Formulate legal opinions and recommendations based on legal research and investigations Conduct legal research and investigations Identify critical elements of legal questions or issues and select appropriate course of action Prepare drafts of legal documents and forms Interpret and apply statutes, case law, decisions of judicial and administrative hearings, and administrative rules and policies

Nice To Haves

Experience working with law enforcement as a prosecutor or police legal advisor is strongly preferred.
Experience practicing in complex and varied areas of the law is preferred.
Experience in employment, criminal, contracts, and administrative law is preferred.
Experience with the legislative process is preferred.
Familiarity with the Nebraska Public Records Act is preferred.

Responsibilities

Confers with the agency head, other agency administrators, local government officials, associated or assigned agency legal staff members, plaintiffs, defendants, and other interested parties to exchange and prepare information on the facts and status of a case or other legal/administrative actions or issues.
Directs and conducts legal research and case investigations to ensure information is collected for case preparation and to facilitate the administration and enforcement of agency statutory authority.
Confers with representatives of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of State government to share information on legal/program issues or activities and to elicit necessary support for agency priorities and goals.
Advises agency management and other government officials on the stipulations of program legislation and the legal impact of agency plans and operations to assist in the attainment of agency goals and objectives with statutory requirements.
Recommends draft legislation, agency policies, and procedural statements to provide legal or administrative options to agency management in the enforcement of agency statutory authority.
Prepares drafts of correspondence, motions, pleadings, findings of fact, conclusions of law, agency rules and regulations, orders, and other legal documents to provide legal guidance to legal counsels or agency management.
May direct the work activities of assigned legal staff members, as needed, to facilitate the attainment of unit work goals and ensure the consistent application of administrative policies, procedures, standards, and legal requirements.
May represent the agency in administrative hearings related to the enforcement of agency statutes; represents the agency in County or District/Supreme Courts as permitted by the County Attorney or State Attorney General offices or specific statutory authority.
Prepares legal documents for use by the State Attorney General and/or County Attorney offices in prosecuting civil or criminal cases.
Conduct training for law enforcement officers and other department employees.
Advise agency personnel on all legal matters.
Other duties as assigned by Agency Legal Counsel.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life.
Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status.
For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

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