Senior Attorney

Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Dental and vision plans

Wellness rewards

Pension plan options

Paid leave policies

Education reimbursement

LinkedIn Learning access

Free parking

Job summary

The Indiana Department of Education seeks a qualified attorney to handle administrative rulemaking and public records/open records matters for eight agencies serving Indiana. The role requires JD and 5+ years of practice, Indiana bar admission, and strong writing and research skills.

Salary starts at $85,020 and may be commensurate with experience. You'll advise agency staff, draft and review legislation and rules, manage caseloads, and supervise junior attorneys.

Qualifications

• Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) and 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• Indiana Bar Admission in good standing required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and rules.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise agency staff on program and legal matters.
• Draft, review, or provide legal advice on contracts and legislation.
• Research and interpret laws, rules, and policies affecting agency operations.
• Manage caseload and prepare hearings, pleadings, and briefs.

Skills

Legal writing

Litigation

Legal research

Oral & written communication

Case management

Education

Doctorate of Jurisprudence

Tools

Case management system

Legal research databases

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Education (DOE):

The Indiana Department of Education provides innovative support to Indiana schools, teachers, students, and parents. We proactively work with educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community-based organizations to build student success. Our strategic priorities include:

• Delivering quality, purposeful educational opportunities for each student.
• Elevating and supporting Indiana’s educators.
• Increasing partnerships and delivering aligned, effective, and efficient support.

Role Overview:

This position is responsible for two key state law processes for the eight agencies reporting to the Secretary of Education: administrative rulemaking, and public records/access. Practice areas will be administrative rulemaking, public records law & open door law matters. An ideal candidate has/will develop extensive familiarity with these areas, and will excel in legal writing & analysis to translate policy concepts into easy-to-comprehend work product. A candidate should be attentive to detail, organized, a self-starter, approachable, & able to counsel executives and front-line staff alike.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $85,020.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff;
• Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas;
• May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts;
• Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations;
• May draft and review legislation and administrative rules;
• Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures;
• Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions;
• Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development;
• Sets expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures;
• May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence;
• May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations;
• Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation;
• May review pleadings, motions, and discovery;
• May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney;
• Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing;
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules;
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing;
• Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders;
• Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group.

This role provides direct supervision for two or more attorneys.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .