Special Projects Attorney

State of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 79,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive state benefits package

Job summary

The State of Alaska's Human Rights Commission, based in Anchorage, seeks a Special Projects Attorney to lead outreach, training, and complex legal work, including social media, publications, and public speaking. The attorney will support discrimination case review and high‑level legal research.

The role also involves presenting at hearings and engaging with the public, with travel and after‑hours work as needed.

Qualifications

• This flexibly staffed role emphasizes marketing, social media, presentation, and community engagement skills, with anti‑discrimination law knowledge and litigation experience preferred.
• A law degree from an approved school of law is required for the Attorney I level; Alaska Bar admission is required for higher levels.
• Recent law school graduates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of anti‑discrimination law and litigation experience are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as outreach coordinator for the agency’s social media, public engagement, and publications.
• Serve as the training coordinator, creating materials and conducting trainings.
• Assist the Hearing Unit in reviewing and preparing discrimination cases for trial.
• Undertake special legal and non‑legal research projects assigned by the executive director.
• Conciliate resolutions to complaints where substantial evidence of discrimination is found.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Oral communication

Public speaking

Marketing skills

Social media

Presentation

Education

Juris Doctor

Alaska State Bar admission

Tools

PowerPoint

Zoom

Job description

Special Projects Attorney

Anchorage, AK – The Human Rights Commission is an executive branch agency within the State of Alaska, Office of the Governor, established under the Alaska Human Rights Law, AS 18.80.

• Serve as the outreach coordinator
• Serve as the training coordinator
• Undertake special legal research projects and other legal tasks assigned by the executive director
• Assist the Hearing Unit in preparing and presenting discrimination cases at public hearings, conduct reviews of investigative files and make recommendations regarding the sufficiency of the evidence in investigations
• Conciliate resolutions to complaints in which the Commission has found substantial evidence of discrimination.

This position requires well developed legal research and writing skills, negotiation and analytical skills, a high degree of professionalism and organization, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

As the outreach coordinator, the position will be responsible for the agency’s social media presence, creating and updating agency publications such as legal guidance documents, maintaining the agency’s outreach booth displays, alerting the executive director to outreach opportunities, engaging with the public, issue-spotting for potential civil rights violations, creating and maintaining thoughtful and engaging PowerPoint presentations, and extensive public speaking. The applicant will be reviewed on marketing skills and knowledge of how to engage using social media. Outreach requires regular travel and work outside of regular state business hours to include evenings and weekends.

As the training coordinator, the position will be responsible for creating and maintaining training materials such as handouts and PowerPoint presentations, as well as recommending regulatory changes related to training. The position will be required to conduct regular public “brown bag” trainings in person and/or using Zoom about relevant topics to be developed in consultation with the executive director, reviewing third‑party training materials for Commission approval, and conducting remedial trainings for respondents.

As a Hearing Unit attorney the position will assist the Hearing Unit with reviewing and preparing discrimination cases for trial, including all aspects of civil litigation. If the incumbent has or obtains admission to the Alaska Bar, the position will maintain a small caseload. The position will be tasked with researching and preparing memos to the supervising attorney and the executive director when specific legal questions arise while investigating and litigating cases.

The position will also have special projects as assigned by the executive director. This may include legal research and writing projects, non‑legal research tasks that are Commission priorities, and other delegated administrative research and writing projects.

Minimum Qualifications

This is a flexibly staffed position. The applicant will be heavily evaluated on their marketing, social media, presentation, and community engagement skills/presence due to the significant tasks associated with outreach. Knowledge of anti‑discrimination law and litigation experience are preferred, but recent law school graduates are strongly encouraged to apply. A valid driver’s license is required. Graduation from an approved school of law is required for the Attorney I level. Admission to the Alaska State Bar is required for the Attorney II level. Admission to the Alaska State Bar and at least two years of legal experience is required for the Attorney III level.

Salary

[Starting salary range is $78.819.00 to $102,862.50] annually depending on qualifications and experience (Range 18-22). A comprehensive state benefits package is provided. Positions in this job class are in the partially exempt service in accordance with AS 39.25.120(c)(3).

Additional Required Information

Applicants must submit a professional writing sample to be considered for this position. The sample should include legal analysis and properly formatted legal citations. The applicant must also submit a 10‑15 minute PowerPoint presentation on a topic of their choice. If selected for an interview, the applicant should be prepared to give that presentation during the interview.

Benefits

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

• Insurance Benefits
  • Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
    • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
      • AVTEC
      • Confidential
      • Correctional Officers
      • Marine Engineers
      • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
      • Supervisory
      • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
      • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
    • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
      • General Government
      • Labor, Trades and Crafts
      • Public Safety Employees Association
      • Masters, Mates & Pilots
  • Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
• Optional Insurance Benefits
  • Group-based insurance premiums for
    • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
    • Long-term and short-term disability
    • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
    • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
    • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
  • Employee‑funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
• Retirement Benefits
  • Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
  • Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
  • Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
  • Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
  • Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
  • Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
• Paid Leave & Other Benefits
  • Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
  • Twelve (12) paid holidays a year

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

EEO Statement

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or [phone] in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information

Toyia Del Valle
Administrative Officer II
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
[e-mail]
[phone]

Employer State of Alaska

Address PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811

Phone [phone] (Statewide toll‑free number)
[phone] (Juneau and out‑of‑state callers)