Attorney III

State of Nebraska•Lincoln, NE

4d•$38•Onsite

About The Position

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Attorney III to oversee and manage our Appeals Tribunal Unit. This position is responsible for leading and managing the operations of the appeals unit, ensuring fair, timely, and accurate enforcement and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. This position may also perform duties to support the Legal Department on other legal matters. Look at what we have to offer! • 13 paid holidays • Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately • Military leave • 156% state-matched retirement • Tuition reimbursement • Employee assistance program • 79% employer paid health insurance plans • Dental and vision insurance plans • Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government • Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State • Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service

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.
Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to provided independent authorized transportation.
Knowledge of: State and/or federal statutory and case law and constitutional provisions pertinent to agency programs; the techniques of preparing or drafting legal documents and forms; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; the principles and practices of legal research; the procedures of trial and administrative hearings.
Skill in: preparing summaries, legal analyses, findings and conclusions, briefs, contracts, decisions, and other legal documents; 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.
Experience in leadership and working with IT solutions.
Ability to: Utilize computers, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook 360); 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; direct, manage, and motivate staff to meet goals.

Nice To Haves

Experience in criminal litigation, civil litigation, bankruptcy court, tax issues or work with state and federal agencies.
Experience with web-based software solutions and technology contracts.

Responsibilities

Supervising the Nebraska Department of Labor's Appeal Tribunal.
Conduct hearings as a hearing officer on matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Update and revise the existing NDOL Precedent Manual.
Recommend new precedent for the manual.
Establish and update standard forms for hearing officers to utilize.
Create onboarding processes for new team members.
Conduct regular training with the hearing officers.
Review new case law, legislation, regulations, and federal and state guidance and determine impact.
Conduct all required performance and quality reviews.
Review the appeal tribunal system, report system errors and recommend system improvements.
Run regular reports out of the system.
Update team and management on performance.
Confer 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.
Direct legal research and case investigations to ensure information is collected for case preparation and to facilitate the administration and enforcement of agency statutory authority.
Recommend draft legislation, agency policies, and procedural statements to provide legal or administrative options to agency management in the enforcement of agency statutory authority.
Prepare 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 counsel or agency management.
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.
Draft contracts in accordance with state and federal requirements, examples of contract work include contracts for benefits and reemployment systems, data exchanges, memorandums of understanding with WIOA partners, and purchase agreements; advise and assist in requests for production and requests for bids.
Review and prepare documentation for liens.
Analyze existing grants and review agency compliance and advise on any action required.
Prepare and review grant applications.
Evaluate federal guidance and federal legislative changes and provide guidance on potential steps needed to comply.
Represent the agency in administrative hearings related to the enforcement of agency statutes.
Represent the agency in County or District/Supreme Courts as permitted by the County Attorney or State Attorney General Offices or specific statutory authority.
Prepare legal documents for use by the State Attorney General and/or County Attorney offices in prosecuting civil or criminal cases.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
Military leave
156% state-matched retirement
Tuition reimbursement
Employee assistance program
79% employer paid health insurance plans
Dental and vision insurance plans
Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service