STAFF ATTORNEY III

State of careers Rhode Island

2d • $92,594 - $104,962 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for coordinating the Ethics Commission’s education program, which includes creating and presenting ethics seminars and trainings to various group sizes, designing and administering online training modules, and drafting written training materials. The role also involves drafting advisory opinions, regulations, legal memoranda, and reports to support the Commission’s mission. Additionally, the Staff Attorney III will prosecute complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics, oversee investigations, prepare pleadings and briefs, and make appearances before the Ethics Commission for hearings. The position may also involve representing the Ethics Commission in litigation matters before the Superior and Supreme Courts. Frequent interactions with the public, press, and public officials regarding the Code of Ethics and the Ethics Commission’s functions are expected.

Requirements

• J.D. required
• Must be a current member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar.
• Experience such as may have been gained through the practice of law before administrative agencies, state courts and/or federal courts.
• Educational experience as may have been gained through teaching, providing workshops, trainings or seminars, or equivalent instruction.
• Must be a strong and engaging public speaker, capable of holding the attention of small and large groups while explaining complex provisions of the Code of Ethics through use of examples, hypotheticals, and responding to spontaneous audience questions.
• Must have practice experience in administrative, civil, or criminal litigation, including the rules of practice, civil procedure, and evidence.
• Must possess superior legal writing skills, such as may have been gained through experience writing or editing for a law review or other publication, in a judicial clerkship, or through other training and experience.
• Considerable legal writing with strict attention to detail and excellence.

Nice To Haves

• The successful candidate will be expected to quickly become an expert in all aspects of the Code of Ethics and Ethics Commission procedures, and to be knowledgeable in all aspects of administrative law and the Administrative Procedures Act.

Responsibilities

• Coordination of the Ethics Commission’s education program (creating and presenting ethics seminars and trainings to small and large groups; designing and administering online training modules; drafting written training materials).
• Drafting advisory opinions, regulations, legal memoranda, and various reports to assist in the Commission’s administration and mission.
• Prosecution of complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics (overseeing investigations; preparing pleadings and briefs; appearances before Ethics Commission for hearings).
• Representing Ethics Commission from time to time in litigation matters before Superior and Supreme Court.
• Frequent interactions with members of the public, the press, and public officials concerning the requirements of the Code of Ethics and the workings of the Ethics Commission.
• Prepare and present Code of Ethics trainings and seminars to large and small groups of public officials and employees.
• Identifying and utilizing online training programs and software to design, develop, and administer online ethics training.
• Legal research and drafting of Advisory Opinions, Correspondence with public officials, Commission regulations, Legal memoranda, Annual reports and other special reports, Legal notices, Investigative Reports, and Motions.
• Appearances before the Ethics Commission at public meetings relative to advisory opinions, special reports, and complaint matters.
• Conduct adjudications (administrative trials) before the Ethics Commission.
• Appeals of Ethics Commission Decisions & Orders before Rhode Island Superior and Supreme Courts, as needed.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, respond to press inquiries.
• Compiling data and statistics relative to various activities and functions of the Commission for use as performance measures.
• Performing related tasks as requested by the Executive Director or Ethics Commission.

Benefits

• For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
• All employees hired after September 30, 2014 will be required to participate in the direct deposit system.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior