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Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General Monday, March 13, 2023

Position No: 125-29467

Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience

Closing Date: March 27, 2022

Status: Full-Time with State Benefit Package

Recruitment: Internal/External

Location: State Capitol, Bismarck, ND

Selecting Supervisor: Mary Kae Kelsch, Director, General Counsel Division

Summary of Work

The position is responsible for providing general counsel legal advice on a daily basis to various state agencies, boards, and commissions; it will research and draft legal opinions on a variety of legal issues; and will include the review and negotiation of contracts for both the clients assigned and as backup for other attorneys as follows:

  1. Provide legal advice and/or representation to clients/agencies and draft memoranda of advice as it relates to employment law and regulatory board review
  2. Draft formal opinions in response to legal questions
  3. Assist clients with contract review and negotiation and procurement
  4. Conduct research on pertinent legal issues; keeps abreast of recent legal developments
  5. Attend client, board, departmental and division meetings as required
  6. Travel as required by the position
  7. Other duties as assigned

In addition to the monthly salary, this position includes fully paid health insurance for employee and family, the option to participate in employee-paid dental and vision for employee and family, participation in the state NDPERS defined contribution retirement plan as well as the option to participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan, the option to contribute to a medical spending account, and earning annual and sick leave.

Minimum Qualifications

  1. Licensed to practice law in North Dakota, or the expectation of imminent admission to the North Dakota Bar.

  2. Preference will be given to applicants with 2 or more years of legal experience and those with experience in contract review, employment law, education law, or board representation.

  3. High ethical standards; clean discipline record.

  4. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

  5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  6. Excellent legal research skills; ability to effectively use Westlaw or Lexis and other research tools.

  7. Interpersonal skills needed to work well with clients, colleagues, and the public.

  8. The judgment, reliability, and willingness to devote the time and energy necessary to provide excellent legal services to the State of North Dakota.

  9. Ability, demonstrated in previous employment experience or otherwise shown, to establish and maintain effective, harmonious working relationships with clients, colleagues, and supervisors.

  10. Excellent time management and organization skills.

  11. Proven ability or potential to do excellent legal work in the areas of writing, negotiation, and client advice.

  12. Knowledge of state and federal government regulation and compliance and ability to translate complex regulations and findings into understandable and meaningful terms.

  13. Ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, management, and resolution of legal problems relevant to a governing body.

  14. Experience in employment law, contract law, civil rights, and education law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, preferred.

  15. Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks to determine knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform assistant attorney general tasks.

Application Procedures

Applicants are screened based on qualifications, successful completion of the interview process and a background and criminal investigation. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The Office of Attorney General does not provide sponsorships.

Application package must be received by 11:59 PM on the closing date listed on the opening.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AT: www.nd.gov/careers

Documents to be submitted:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter with a summary that clearly explains how the applicant's work experience is related to the summary of work and minimum/preferred qualifications
  • Professional References
  • College Transcripts (copies or unofficial versions are acceptable for the initial application process but when the top candidate is given a conditional employment offer, they are required to present official transcripts)

Anyone needing assistance or accommodations during any part of the application or interview process please contact Ashley, Office of Attorney General: E-mail: aeisenbeis@nd.gov; phone: (701) 328-1256 or TTY: 1-800-366-6888.

To learn more about living in North Dakota, visit https://findthegoodlife.com

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.