Staff Attorney Senior

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Division of Wage Protection in Richmond, seeks a full-time lead counsel to advise on civil and administrative labor and employment matters, including wage payments, misclassification, prevailing wage requirements, anti-retaliation statutes, and leave programs.

The role involves researching legal issues, presenting findings to management, supporting regulatory rulemaking, policy formulation, and legislative affairs, and handling complex cases.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree required.
• Active Virginia State Bar membership required.
• Knowledge of Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure and Virginia Administrative Process Act.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead counsel in civil and administrative labor and employment law cases.
• Research and analyze legal issues; present findings to agency management.
• Support regulatory rulemaking, policy formulation, and legislative affairs.
• Handle more complicated/difficult cases; provide legal and technical support.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Civil procedure knowledge

Virginia Administrative Process Act

Education

J.D. degree

Virginia State Bar admission

Job description

Title: Staff Attorney Senior

State Role Title: Hearing Legal Servcs Offcr II

Hiring Range: $85,000 - $120,000 (Commensurate with experience and education) + Full State Benefits

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept of Labor and Industry

Location: Dept of Labor and Industry (Headquarters Office, Richmond VA)

Agency Website: www.doli.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Division of Wage Protection at the Headquarters Office, Richmond VA, is seeking a self-motivated individual to serve as full-time lead counsel in civil and administrative labor and employment law cases. These legal areas include, but are not limited to, employee wage payments, worker misclassification, prevailing wage requirements, certain employment-related anti-retaliation statutes, employee leave programs, and child labor. This position also researches and analyzes legal issues upon request from agency management to facilitate compliance efforts under applicable laws and regulations, presents findings and recommendations to agency management and/or personnel resulting from the legal research and analysis of technical issues and data, and handles more complicated/difficult cases. In addition, this position provides legal and technical support in the development of regulatory rulemaking, policy formulation, and legislative affairs of all agency divisions. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to DOLI’s mission of making Virginia a better place to live, work, and conduct business. Additional information about our agency can be found at www.doli.virginia.gov.

Why the State Government?

Joining state government means becoming part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a chance to make meaningful contributions to your community while enjoying purpose-driven work, and opportunities to grow professionally. Your talents can help Virginia thrive – this isn’t just a job, it’s a legacy.

Total Compensation

As an Employer of Choice, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers a comprehensive total compensation package based on the estimated entry level as shown in the table below. This includes state-funded retirement contributions under the VRS Hybrid Plan, comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, and 15 paid holidays annually. Additional information relating to the benefits available to eligible state employees can be found online at https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits.

Minimum Qualifications

• A J.D. degree.
• An active membership in the Virginia State Bar
• Knowledge of Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure and the Virginia Administrative Process Act.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Considerations

• Litigation experience is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing labor and employment, as well as the ability to conduct research and analysis.
• Experience in a similar position in government or private industry.
• Verifiable fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish.

Special Requirements

• Ability to occasionally travel overnight.
• Ability to perform moderate physical activity that includes but is not limited to climbing stairs and ladders, bending, walking up and down inclines, occasionally lifting and carrying loads up to 30 pounds.
• The selected candidate must successfully complete a criminal background investigation and successfully serve a 12‑month probationary period effective from the date of employment if beginning employment as an original hire or re‑employment.

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., Lawful Permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.

Current and former employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia who have either been laid off or will be laid off from State service, who indicate preferential hiring rights in the form of a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (yellow card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (blue card), must submit the card to our office by the application deadline. The card may either be scanned and attached to the application as a supplemental document or faxed to [phone]. Please include a fax cover sheet with your name and the position number for which you are applying.

The Department of Labor and Industry is committed to the goal of equal employment opportunity, with the intention that every employee and applicant for employment shall have an equal opportunity to be judged based on their fitness and merit to participate in the terms, conditions, privileges, and benefits of employment. All candidates are afforded opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.

The Department of Labor and Industry will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation to provide access to the application and/or interview process. If any assistance is needed when applying online, please contact DOLI [e-mail].

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.