Lawyer 2

State of Montana • Helena, MT

6d

About The Position

Position Summary This attorney position is located in the Central Services Division (CSD) of the Department of Justice and reports to the General Counsel. The position’s primary responsibility is to serve as legal counsel and an instructor for the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. In this capacity, the incumbent develops, coordinates, and delivers all legal training for law enforcement trainees. In addition and as time permits, this position will provide support services to other areas of the Department as needed by the General Counsel. These duties include advising on human resources, labor relations, fiscal matters, procurement, and contracts, as well as representing the Department in related legal proceedings.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to and maintenance of licensure from the State Bar of Montana.
• Two years of specialized law and lead litigation experience.

Responsibilities

• Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) Curriculum Development and Instruction: Develops, conducts, coordinates, and reviews all legal training at MLEA. Establishes comprehensive lesson plans to define course objectives, standards, and evaluation criteria.
• Expert Legal Training: Delivers quality legal and investigative information in both classroom and scenario-based environments. Provides expert education and training in laws of arrest, search and seizure, interrogation, due process, and cruel and unusual punishment as contained in the Montana and U.S. Constitutions, Montana Code Annotated, and Administrative Rules of Montana.
• Trainee Evaluation: Monitors and evaluates the performance of trainees enrolled in investigative and legal programs. This includes evaluating examinations, skills tests, and other formal measures of performance; identifying deficiencies and recommending improvements; and determining overall performance based on established course standards.
• Department of Justice Human Resources and Labor Relations: Assists with advising department management and human resources staff in all areas relating to the hiring, management, discipline, and/or discharge of Department employees. Assists with providing legal counsel on collective bargaining and labor relations matters.
• Policy Review and Compliance: Assists with reviews Department HR policies and procedures for legal sufficiency and compliance with state and federal statutory requirements. Updates CSD HR staff on new and anticipated changes in statutes, administrative regulations, and case law, and suggests necessary policy changes.
• Fiscal, Budget, and Contract Review: Assists the CSD Fiscal and Budget staff in all areas relating to fiscal, budget, and procurement, including the application of state and federal laws. Reviews, revises, and/or prepares various contracts, service agreements, IT service and support agreements, leases, and other operational documents for legal sufficiency.
• Legal Research: Researches questions of law as required and prepares legal opinions, memoranda of conclusions, and reports at the direction of the General Counsel.
• Litigation and Representation: Assists in defending the Department in all legal proceedings relating to human resources and labor relations, including but not limited to discrimination claims, disciplinary and/or discharge challenges, and unfair labor practice charges.
• Litigation Management: Drafts and files pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery in litigation matters and maintains appropriate scheduling of court or other tribunal appearances. Creates other litigation documents, settlement proposals, and interim letters to the court and all parties. Prepares Department management, staff, and other parties as witnesses for hearings and trials.
• Information Management: Drafts legal memoranda and reports. Assists in evaluating and answering all official requests for information, including subpoenas, public information requests, and other inquiries.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees