Associate Counsel

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Job Posting closes: Open until filled.

Governor’s Office

https://www.governor.ks.gov/

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Salary Range: $70,000.00 to $75,000.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon the candidate’s education, experience, and/or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• First day of employment coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical and prescription drug coverage and dental plan.
• Additional voluntary options including vision, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness insurance plans and flexible spending accounts.
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services.
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary:

Associate Counsel – Office of Chief Counsel

The Kelly-Toland Administration (the “Administration”) seeks to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where hardworking, energetic and talented individuals work together, on behalf of the people of Kansas, to make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family.

The Office of Chief Counsel (“OCC”) for Governor Laura Kelly is looking to hire an Associate Counsel. This attorney will be responsible for assisting Chief and Deputy Chief Counsels in performance of their legal duties including legal research, reviewing and drafting memorandum, compiling and advising on information received from agency counsels, assisting in the vetting of candidates of judicial office, reviewing and advising on applications for executive clemency, maintaining a system for receipt and tracking of legislation, processing requests for documents under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), and providing legal advice on all areas assigned by Chief and Deputy Chief Counsels. This attorney will also be responsible for internal compliance with the Governor’s Office (“GO”) to provide training for staff on a variety of legal subjects such as ethics, political activity restrictions, open records, and open meetings compliance. Familiarity with these topics is not necessary to apply because Chief and Deputy Chief Counsel can provide initial training and education.

Associate Counsel will also interact and provide legal advice to other divisions with the Governor’s Office on an as needed basis. All the work of the OCC can not be pre-planned, so to be successful in this role, the attorney will need to be: 1) flexible; 2) a team player; 3) a good communicator and researcher; 4) a quick study; 5) willing to admit when they don’t know an answer and also be determined to find out; 6) a problem-solver; and 7) willing to uphold the highest ethical standards in the practice of law. The attorney is based in the Governor’s executive offices in the statehouse, Topeka, Kansas, and reports to the Chief Counsel.

The OCC is a fast-paced environment where the legal issues are often novel and complex and need to be analyzed under tight timeframes. At the same time, the OCC is committed to fostering a work-life balance. To that end, while the Associate Counsel may sometimes be called on with urgent questions after hours, this position is intended to have a regular 40-hour work week during traditional business hours.

Core Responsibilities

• Research and prepare legal documents, including performing legal research. This may include searching for, interpreting, and applying laws, court decisions, and other legal authority for the preparation of legal papers in connection with legal proceedings.
• Draft legal documents and reports for review, approval, and possible filing.
• Track incoming and completed requests for legal services from the OCC.
• Coordinate legal review of flag orders to be issued by the Communications Division, in addition to other press releases Legal may be asked to review.
• Assist with judicial appointments, including communicating with judicial applicants, collecting and retaining application materials, vetting candidates, and preparing related materials for review by the Governor.
• Serve as primary liaison for legal notices to the Attorney General’s Office and federal agencies for the OCC.
• Work with the Chief and Deputy Chief Counsels on Kansas Open Records Act or Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) requests/inquires. This includes preparation of initial responses, initial assembly and review of discovery results, gathering information within the GO to respond to requests, researching applicable exceptions to disclosure, communication of final response, and facilitation of KORA fee payment processing, when applicable.
• Assist in setting up training for new hires to the Governor’s Office regarding governmental ethics, political activity, and KORA/KOMA compliance.
• Manage the review and tracking of clemency requests. Including reviewing clemency applications and related documents.
• Review, prepare, and finalize all requests for Governor’s signature including but not limited to: bond documents, executive orders, executive directives, and emergency declarations; assist Chief and Deputy Chief counsels in execution of documents.
• Manage cabinet and agency counsel report receipt, tracking, and compilation.
• Support the Government Affairs Division in the GO regarding legislative matters such as tracking receipt and delivery of legislation and advising on proposed legislation.
• Create process manuals documenting the OCC’s routine functions.
• All other duties as directed by Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel.

Core Expertise

Associate Counsel must be able to think creatively and critically about the big picture—enabling the GO to serve the people of Kansas efficiently, progressively, and in pursuit of the priorities set by the Governor—while also understanding the details of the many legal issues relevant to the GO.

• Can efficiently manage processes that involve hard deadlines, diverse digital and hard-copy paperwork, and sensitive political and legal matters. This requires excellent organizational and time-management skills as well as good judgment to prioritize essential tasks when Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff may be unavailable for consult.
• Strong work ethic.
• Strong writing skills.
• Self-motivated and can take the initiative to identify work that needs to be done.
• Has, or is able to quickly develop, an understanding of the organization of state government and the relationships among or between various state entities.
• Can react calmly and quickly to work emergencies or time-sensitive matters.
• Personable, a team-player, and able to work well with other GO staff.
• Fluent with office software such as all Microsoft Office applications and PDF applications.
• Understands the significance of and is adept at protecting confidential and privileged information in accordance with the law, office policy, and attorney rules of professional conduct.
• Possesses independent judgement and maintain a keen attention to detail.

Other Duties as Assigned

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate and law degrees from accredited institutions are required.
• Must be either admitted to practice law in Kansas and be in good standing or be a recent law school graduate who has taken and passed the Bar exam or will take the February Bar exam. Successful passage of Bar exam is a requirement for the position.
• Previous employment in a state or federal agency, or in a law firm, is preferred but not required.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are required.
• The ability to work well under pressure and balance multiple tasks of high priority.
• Proficiency with office software such as all Microsoft Office applications and Adobe Acrobat is required.
• Familiarity with online legal research tools, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, is required.
• Demonstrated educational or professional experience managing schedules, deadlines, and assignments is preferred but not required.
• As part of standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Kelly-Toland Administration will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check and a state-law required drug test.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced and professional office environment with noise levels that are usually low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle, feel or type, and reach with hands and arms.

The Governor’s Office maintains an official workday of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. However, the Associate Counsel may be required, occasionally, to work long hours, nights, or weekends as circumstances require.

The Associate Counsel is an unclassified state employee.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Kim Warren
• Email: dofapersonnel@ks.gov
• Mailing Address: Department of Administration Personnel Office, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Required documents for this application to be complete:

Upload the DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference) on the Careers - My Job Applications page.

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.