Legal Advocate (Hourly): Central Administration #WH010

DHRM•Richmond, VA

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Legal Advocate will be responsible for representing the Virginia Department of Corrections (the Department) in employee grievance proceedings brought under the Commonwealth’s State Grievance Procedure (Va. Code § 2.2-3000, et seq.). The Legal Advocate represents the Department in all aspects of the employee grievance hearing before administrative hearing officers and the Director of the Office of Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR), Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). The selected candidate will develop the case strategy; participate in pre-hearing conferences; make pre-hearing motions; draft pre-hearing or post-hearing briefs; request and disseminate orders for witnesses as needed; collect and determine relevant documents to enter into evidence; communicate with witnesses as necessary; prepare for hearings; present the Department’s case at the hearing to include making opening/closing statements, questioning witnesses and admitting evidence; and represent the Department on requests for administrative review to the EDR. Position will be Remote, based out of Atmore Headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. May require periodic travel throughout the state for in person hearings. This is a wage position limited to working no more than 1,500 hours per agency during the 12 month period of May 1 – April 30, regardless of the hire date. The wage employment period resets on May 1 of the following year. All wage employees are limited to working no more than 29 hours per week on average over the 12-month period. This wage position offers no state benefits.

Requirements

Experience and/or knowledge of the state administrative grievance hearing procedures and state employee personnel matters, including the Virginia Personnel Act.
Experience advocating in an administrative proceeding, civil litigation, or other adversarial legal setting on behalf of an organization or client.
Ability to persuasively communicate verbally and in writing.
Ability to manage document production.
Ability to conduct administrative investigations, examine witnesses, and conduct necessary research, including state and federal laws and Department and DHRM policies and procedures.
Ability to analyze, critically think, and exercise judgement, when necessary.
Ability to adhere to deadlines and exercise effective time management.
Ability to develop an organized and persuasive case strategy to include presentation of opening and closing statements, admission of documentary evidence and questioning of witnesses in an easy to understand, chronological manner.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of employees within the Department.
Ability to work independently and without supervision.
Ability to travel to participate in hearings statewide.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with Department management and state officials.
Ability to analyze and counsel Department management on the probable outcome of cases and issues/concerns that arise in the preparation for the hearing.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge, course work training, or prior experience representing state agencies or private employers in civil litigation, including employment law matters, and/or administrative proceedings.
Comprehensive knowledge of state agency organizational functions and Department Corrections' processes and practices.
Demonstrated ability to draft and review settlement agreements.

Responsibilities

Represent the Virginia Department of Corrections (the Department) in employee grievance proceedings.
Represent the Department in all aspects of the employee grievance hearing before administrative hearing officers and the Director of the Office of Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR), Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM).
Develop case strategy.
Participate in pre-hearing conferences.
Make pre-hearing motions.
Draft pre-hearing or post-hearing briefs.
Request and disseminate orders for witnesses as needed.
Collect and determine relevant documents to enter into evidence.
Communicate with witnesses as necessary.
Prepare for hearings.
Present the Department’s case at the hearing to include making opening/closing statements, questioning witnesses and admitting evidence.
Represent the Department on requests for administrative review to the EDR.
Travel throughout the state for in person hearings as needed.