Attorney

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled
• A Resume, Cover Letter, Academic Transcript, and 3 professional references must be submitted

Agency Information: Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission

The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission (GEC) is charged with administering, interpreting and enforcing the Campaign Finance Act and laws relating to conflict of interests, financial disclosure and the regulation of lobbying. These laws establish the public’s right to information about the financial affairs of Kansas’ public officials, lobbyists and candidates for office. In addition, the GEC renders advisory opinions and can adopt rules and regulations under a less comprehensive conflict of interests law covering local government officials and employees. Please Note: K.S.A. 25-4142 et seq. and K.S.A. 46-215 et seq. require candidates, lobbyists and state employees to file GEC forms with the Secretary of State, a separate state agency and the public repository for such forms.

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone who meets the minimum qualifications
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full Time
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Application Deadline: Open Unti Filled
• Search Keywords: Attorney; General Counsel; Legal

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $82,000
• Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Description:

We are seeking candidates for the General Counsel position with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission; a state agency that oversees and ensures compliance with, and enforcement of the campaign finance, lobbying and state conflict of interest laws. The General Counsel advises a bi-partisan, volunteer, nine-member commission of appointed individuals.

Job Responsibilities:

• Providing counsel to the Commission at the Commission's monthly meetings regarding procedural laws that impact the Commission.
• Research federal and state regulations, case law, and statutes, pertaining to campaign finance and conflict-of-interest matters and several other matters that come before the Commission.
• Litigating administrative hearings and preparing drafts of reports and orders for Commission review.
• Briefing the Commission on relevant matters facing the agency; making recommendations to the Commission and seeking the Commission’s approval before taking certain actions; carrying out the Commission’s directives.
• Providing legal information to members of the public regarding campaign finance, lobbying and state conflict of interest laws and regulations.
• Providing updates to the Commission based on questions raised from one meeting to the other.
• Works with the Executive Director and the Commission’s Investigator to investigate potential violations of the laws the Commission is tasked with enforcing.
• Drafts advisory opinions subject to the Commission’s approval.
• Serve as the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) representative for the Commission regarding open record requests.

A successful candidate will likely have these qualifications:

• An active law license in the State of Kansas with at least 2 years of licensed experience
• Experience in administrative law is preferred but not required
• Strong commitment to the Commission's mission
• Non-partisan
• Experience working with boards or commissions
• Excellent communication skills in written and oral form
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage cases, and maintain effective and transparent working relationships with colleagues
• Experience with, or willingness to learn, compliance with the Kansas Administrative Procedures Act (KAPA), the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA), and the Kansas Judicial Review Act (KJRA)

Post Offer Requirement:

State of Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate. The successful applicant (even non-residents) must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website within 10 days of the date the applicant has been offered the employment position. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact (785) 296-3199.

Visit the Tax Clearance site for more information on and where to obtain this Kansas Department of Revenue document.

Recruiter Contact Information:

Name: Emily Gottstein

Email: emily.gottstein@ks.gov

Mailing Address: 900 SW Jackson, Suite 401, 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. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

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 these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD FM 214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Letter of Interest / Cover Letter
• At least 3 professional references
• Academic transcripts

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 agency recruiter.