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Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General Monday, October 21, 2024

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

Position No: 125-612

Salary Range: $81,000 - $120,000 annually (Commensurate with Experience).

Closing Date: October 31, 2024

Status: Full-Time with State Benefit Package

Recruitment: Internal/External

Location: State Capitol, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND

Selecting Supervisor: Mary Kae Kelsch, Director, General Counsel Division Summary of Work

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the state of North Dakota, and the Attorney General’s Office serves more than 70 state agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as the University System, the State Board of Higher Education, and various colleges and universities. In furtherance of its mission to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to officials, agencies, and people of the state of North Dakota, the General Counsel Division serves as legal counsel to the state agencies, boards, and commissions. It also researches and drafts Attorney General opinions regarding legal questions and open records and meetings, and reviews administrative rules for legality.

This position is responsible for providing general legal advice to the North Dakota Public Employee Retirement System, the Retirement and Investment Office, the State Investment Board, and the Department of Financial Institutions, which includes reviewing complex investment service, and technology contracts, researching and interpreting state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and communicating accurate and clear legal guidance.

The successful applicant for this position will:
1. Provide clear and comprehensive legal advice and representation to clients;
2. Assist clients with procurement, contract review, and negotiation;
3. Maintain a proactive approach in initiating communication with clients to preemptively address legal concerns;
4. Conduct research on pertinent state and federal legal issues;
5. Keep abreast of recent state and federal legal and legislative developments relevant to clients and practice areas; 6. Attend client, board, departmental, and division meetings, as required;
7. Assist clients with drafting legislation and legislative testimony, as requested;
8. Review administrative rules for legality;
9. Research and draft formal Attorney General opinions; and
10. Perform other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Division Directors.

To be successful in this position, an attorney would be proactive in communicating with their clients to preempt legal challenges. They would be committed to remaining informed of state and federal legislative developments, rulemaking initiatives, and relevant court decisions affecting their clients. Critical thinking skills, the ability to be open minded, and an aptitude for problem solving is crucial.

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 benefit or contribution retirement plans (depending on date of hire) 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. The General Counsel Division is a family-friendly workplace that emphasizes a collaborative and flexible working environment.

Employees in this position are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This is an in-person position located in Bismarck, ND.

Minimum Qualifications
1. Licensed, or the expectation of imminent licensure, to practice law in North Dakota;
2. Two or more years of experience in general counsel representation, employment law, banking or financial regulatory law, regulatory or administrative law, or contract law, preferred but not required;
3. High ethical standards and clean discipline record;
4. Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality;
5. Excellent communication, client management, and legal research and writing skills;
6. Excellent time management and organization skills;
7. Knowledge of state and federal government regulation and compliance;
8. Ability to translate complex legal interpretation and findings into clear, concise, and understandable terms;
9. Ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, analysis, management, and resolution of legal problems relevant to
governing bodies and agencies; 10. Demonstrated ability to maintain effective and collegial working relationships;
11. Judgment, reliability, and willingness to devote the time and energy necessary to provide excellent legal services to the State of North Dakota; and
12. Successful completion of the interview process, reference checks, and standard background and criminal record checks.

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
• 3 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)

The North Dakota Office of Attorney General prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application and interview process to include responses to questions in which you must provide a narrative and/or verbal response. You must create your own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. While the North Dakota Office of Attorney General encourages you to create your narratives and interview responses with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, you are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, during the interview process. Any information you provide during the application and interview process is subject to verification. The North Dakota Office of Attorney General will discontinue your candidacy if we find you have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application and interview process.

All hiring decisions are subject to approval by the Attorney General. No offer of employment is final or binding until approved by the Attorney General.

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.
• Learn more about Office of Attorney General at: https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/
• Learn more about Employment Benefits at: https://www.nd.gov/omb/public/careers/team-nd-benefits 
• Visit North Dakota State government: http://www.nd.gov 

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.