State Funds Attorney

State of Oklahoma; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Oklahoma seeks a State Funds Attorney to provide expert legal advice and representation on oil and gas regulation before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. This full-time position works under the Office of General Counsel and requires Oklahoma Bar admission with at least one year of practice.

The role involves researching statutes, drafting opinions, commenting on proposed legislation, and handling hearings and filings for regulatory matters.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the Oklahoma Bar and one year of practice in law.
• Strong knowledge of oil and gas regulation and administrative law.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy abilities.
• Preference for experience in oil and gas conservation and well plugging.

Responsibilities

• Analyze factual and legal issues in reviewing policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Conduct specialized research and prepare memoranda of law.
• Draft legal documents, advisory opinions, and proposed legislation or rule changes.
• Represent the regulatory division in cases before an OCC ALJ or the Commission.
• Prepare applications, complaints, briefs, motions and other hearing documents.
• Negotiate contracts and draft related instruments as needed.
• Review cases, prepare reports and recommend dispositions.
• Answer inquiries from the public and assist with complaints involving regulated entities.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Regulatory analysis

Written communication

Education

Oklahoma Bar admission

1 year legal practice

Job description

Job Posting Title

State Funds Attorney

Agency

185 CORPORATION COMMISSION

Supervisory Organization

Corporation Commission

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank. Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Annual Salary: $90,000 This position is supported by the IIJA Well Plugging Grant. Continued employment is subject to the availability of grant funds.

Job Description

Basic Purpose

Under the general supervision and direction of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s ("Commission" or "OCC") Office of General Counsel, perform professional legal work by providing advice and representation on matters relating to the regulation of oil and gas.

Typical Functions

• Analyzes factual and legal issues in the review of policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and technical manuals.
• Conducts specialized research of case law, statutes, policies, rules, and regulations, and prepares memoranda of law.
• Prepares necessary legal documents and advisory opinions.
• May draft or comment on proposed legislation or changes in rules and/or regulations.
• Represents regulatory division in cases before an OCC Administrative Law Judge or the Commission. This includes working with division staff and preparing applications and/or complaints, proposed orders, briefs, motions, and additional documents preparatory or incidental to the hearing of a case; participates in pre-hearing conferences and hearings; examines, witnesses, and argues motions.
• May negotiate contractual matters and draft the necessary contracts and other legal instruments or documents.
• Review cases; prepare reports, exhibits, and legal memoranda outlining factual and legal issues and recommending disposition.
• Answers general inquiries concerning legal issues from the public and staff; assists the general public regarding complaints, questions, or additional problems involving regulated entities; might mediate disputes between consumers and regulated entities.
• Performs related work as required and assigned.

Education And Experience

Admission to the Oklahoma Bar Association and one (1) year of experience in the practice of law.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of legal principles and their application; legal research methods; the scope of Oklahoma statutory law and provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution, principles of administrative and constitutional law, trial and administrative hearing procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Skilled in performing independent and difficult research; analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles, applicable law, and precedent to complex legal or factual scenarios; presenting proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and supporting argument clearly and concisely in oral and written form; effectively presenting, explaining, and arguing cases and legal issues; composing correspondence involving the explanation of complex legal matters; effectively communicating with internal personnel and the public.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in oil and gas conservation and well plugging.

Additional Job Description

The work location will be in the Oklahoma City office of the Corporation Commission. Core work hours for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. This position is not remote work eligible.

Benefits

• 15 days accrued annually during the first 1–5 years of service.
• 18 days accrued annually for 5–10 years of service.
• 20 days accrued annually for 10–20 years of service.
• 25 days accrued annually for over 20 years of service.
• Sick leave: Accrued at 15 days per year.
• A comprehensive health insurance package – medical, dental, vision, life insurance, dependent life insurance, and flexible medical spending account.
• A generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Retirement plans: Defined Contribution Plan or Deferred Compensation Plan.

Conditions of Employment

• Contingent on a favorable background check
• FLSA Exempt status
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license
• This position is supported by the IIJA Well Plugging Grant. Continued employment is subject to the availability of grant funds.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the future. All employees appointed to state service, whether initial hiring, transferring from one state agency to another state agency, or returning to state service following a break in service will be required to complete a twelve-month trial period in accordance with Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Rule 260:130-19-30.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.