Chief Counsel

Company: The State of Kansas
Location: Shawnee
Posted on: January 11, 2022

Job Description:

Press Control+M to start dragging object Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy Job Posting closes: 1/14/2022 Required documents uploaded by: 1/14/2022 Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) assists in the prevention of economic insecurity through unemployment insurance and workers compensation, by providing a fair and efficient venue to exercise employer and employee rights, and by helping employers promote a safe work environment for their employees. This facilitates compliance with labor laws while enabling advancement of the economic well-being of the citizens of Kansas. At KDOL, our employees are our most valuable resource. We encourage our employees to grow and advance by participating in job shadow/training opportunities within KDOL. We value work-life balance and offer flexible schedules and telework opportunities. As a quickly growing agency, we are always looking for passionate, talented and creative people to join our team. If you're looking for a challenge that will lead you to the next level of your career, you've found the right place. Come grow with us! About the Position Who can apply: -Anyone Classified/Unclassified Service: -Unclassified Full-Time/Part-Time: -Full-Time Regular/Temporary: -Regular Work Schedule: -M-F Eligible to Receive Benefits: -Yes Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes Search Keywords: Compensation: -$ * Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications. 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) Retirement and deferred compensation programs The Chief Counsel is a member of KDOL's executive team based in the Topeka office and is the agency's legal representative. This position leads the legal department of 8 attorneys and 15 non-attorney positions; provides legal counsel to the Secretary, the agency, and KDOL personnel. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Counsel participates in strategic planning, setting organizational goals and priorities and managing the legal budget. This is a full-time, salaried position that includes some evening and weekend work. The Legal Division provides legal counsel to the agency and represents KDOL at all levels of state district and appellate courts, as well as all levels of federal district and appellate courts and administrative agencies. KDOL attorneys have expertise in a wide variety of areas of law. Several Units make up the Legal Division: Employment Standards Unit The Employment Standards Unit of the Legal Division is responsible for receiving and processing claims filed by employees against their employers for unlawfully withholding wages owed in violation of the Kansas Wage Payment Act. Asset Recovery The Bankruptcy Unit of the Legal Division is responsible for processing of bankruptcy proceedings. Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) PERB is a five-member appointed board that makes determinations as to the appropriate bargaining unit, conducts representation elections, and adjudicates charges of prohibited practices under the Public Employer-Employee Relations Act (PEERA). Employment Security Board of Review This Board is a three-member appointed board that reviews higher appeals of claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Special Investigations Unit This group of certified law enforcement officers investigate criminal fraud cases passed on from the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Unit. WHAT YOU'LL DO The Chief Counsel is responsible for ensuring the agency's legal needs are begin met, including that the agency receives quality legal representation.

• Advise executive staff members on law changes, existing laws and legal rights that impact the agency
• Oversee legal matters of the agency, including acting as the agency's legal representative
• Interprets and assists with the implementation of state or federal legislation, policies, or directives that affect the agency
• Maintain knowledge of agency's operations
• Remain informed of law changes that could impact operations
• Craft and review legal strategy in response to any litigation
• Oversee legal division staff and provide guidance regarding activities such as investigations, litigation, contract review, data-sharing, and compliance assistance
• Supervises managers of the units in the legal division. Responsibilities include:
  • Conduct Performance Management reviews with managers twice a year
  • Recommend personnel actions for legal staff
  • Mentor managers to ensure growth and continued job satisfaction
  • Ensure legal staff are balancing work and life by using leave appropriately
  • Serves as a Director on the Department's leadership team
    • Participates in Strategic Planning Activities
    • Manages the agency Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) requests
    • Reviews all contracts KDOL enters into WHO YOU ARE
      • Licensed Kansas attorney in good standing with the Kansas Bar or an attorney in another jurisdiction of the United States eligible to see admission to the Kansas Bar without examination, if application is made within the first month of employment or sooner.
      • Significant professional, managerial, and leadership experience in legal setting
      • Willingness and ability to travel throughout Kansas and occasionally to other states for conferences, and training
      • Demonstrated flexibility and ability to work under pressure with short and long-term projects simultaneously; ability and desire work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline; -and be responsive to rapidly to significant developments.
      • Proficient working in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office products
      • Ability to look at situations from several points of view and take a collaborative approach to problem solving, working effectively with individuals at all levels (internally and externally).
      • Superior writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise materials with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
      • Ability to work effectively across multiple issue areas.
      • Proven commitment to equity and inclusion and a personal approach that values all people and respects differences regarding race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender identity -and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance. Email: KDOL.humanresources@ks.gov Phone: 785-581-7312 Mailing Address: 401 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66603 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. 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 these on the Careers - My Job Applications page Resume (REQUIRED) Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate (REQUIRED) Transcripts DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference) Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov : "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents" and "Save Tax Clearance Certificate as a PDF" Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate Required: Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website. 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. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199. 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. 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.

Keywords: The State of Kansas, Norman , Chief Counsel, Legal , Shawnee, Oklahoma