UI LEGAL OFFICER II

Maryland AG; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Hybrid teleworking

Paid holidays

State pension

Health plans

401(k) / 457

Employee credit union

Job summary

Maryland Department of Labor seeks a licensed attorney to serve as Unemployment Insurance Legal Officer II, advocating in state circuit and district courts, U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, and UI tax appeals before the Lower Appeals Division and the Board of Appeals.

You will review information acts, issue review determinations, and provide legal research and advice to the Policy Unit and Contributions Division under the Chief of Legal Services & Collection.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree or equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Two years of experience in the practice of law with court appearances or interpretation/enforcement of the Maryland Unemployment Insurance law.
• Military service experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Litigation in court to collect unpaid unemployment insurance taxes from employers throughout the State.
• Litigation in court to collect improperly paid unemployment benefits received by individual claimants.
• Advocate for the Agency’s position in administrative appeal hearings before the Lower Appeals Division and the Board of Appeals.
• Review and process Public Information Act requests and subpoenas received by UI while adhering to confidentiality laws and regulations.
• Author and issue review determination decisions on covered employment, on assessments, etc.
• Perform legal research, assistance, and advice to the Policy Unit and Contributions Division on a variety of legal and tax issues.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Written communication

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Docs/Sheets

Job description

Introduction

The Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance, is seeking qualified and motivated individuals to fill the full-time, permanent position of Unemployment Insurance Legal Officer II. This position will serve as a staff attorney within the Unemployment Insurance Legal Services & Collection Unit. This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies within the Division. An eligible list of candidates will be maintained for one year following the closing date of the announcement. The Unemployment Insurance Legal Officer II plays a vital role in assisting Marylanders as they navigate the state's unemployment insurance system. The position helps ensure that claims, legal matters, and disputes are handled fairly, accurately, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and established procedures. Through legal guidance and support, this role contributes to the effective administration of unemployment insurance services and helps protect the rights of individuals involved in the process. The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Spanish-speaking candidate are strongly encouraged to apply.

GRADE

STD0021

Main Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of the position is to advocate on behalf of the Unemployment Insurance Division as an attorney at various State Circuit and District Courts, U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, and administrative hearings (UI tax appeals) before the Lower Appeals Division and the Board of Appeals within the Maryland Department of Labor.

POSITION DUTIES

• 1) litigation in court to collect unpaid unemployment insurance taxes from employers throughout the State;
• 2) litigation in court to collect improperly paid unemployment benefits received by individual claimants;
• 3) to advocate for the Agency’s position in administrative appeal hearings before the Lower Appeals Division and the Board of Appeals;
• 4) to review and process Public Information Act requests and subpoenas received by UI while adhering to confidentiality laws and regulations;
• 5) to author and issue review determination decisions on covered employment, on assessments, etc.;
• 6) to perform legal research, assistance, and advice to the Policy Unit and Contributions Division on a variety of legal and tax issues. This position reports directly to the Chief of Legal Services & Collection.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.
• Experience: Two years of experience in the practice of law. This experience must have required the appearance in court on behalf of clients or have involved the interpretation or enforcement of the Maryland Unemployment Insurance law.
• Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in General Attorney classifications or General Attorney specialty codes in the Legal and Kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates must be members of the Maryland Bar.
• Candidates must be admitted to or eligible for admission to the Federal Bar.
• Candidates must possess a Certificate of Good Standing from the Maryland Court of Appeals.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidate will have prior experience in litigation that involves collection and/or writing legal briefs or legal memos.
• Experience and possess strong attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word) and Google applications (Gmail, Google Docs, etc.).

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• 1. Candidates must be a member of the Maryland Bar.
• 2. Candidates must be admitted to or eligible for admission to the Federal Bar.
• 3. Candidates must possess a Certificate of Good Standing from the Maryland Court of Appeals.
• 4. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland before completion of the probation period.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Personnel employed in this classification will have access to federal tax information and must undergo a state and FBI criminal background check as a condition of employment. All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (MD Labor/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to MD Labor/DUI as a result of unemployment insurance overpayment/fraud. Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. Resumes are acceptable as additional information only, however, the application must be completed in its entirety or it will be subject to rejection. All information concerning the qualifications, including any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certificate, etc.) must be submitted and received by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be considered. For positions that require Bachelor/Master Degree etc: Educational credentials from foreign countries must be evaluated by an approved education review service. This evaluation must be submitted prior to hire. For further information, you may call International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. [phone] or World Education Services Inc. 1-800-932-3897 or [phone].

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position. ***Please note that your answers on the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your application to receive credit.

BENEFITS

• Flexible hours and hybrid teleworking�
• Paid holidays 12-13 per year�
• Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave)�
• State Pension ('defined benefit' plan)�
• Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457)
• Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions, and free preventative health services�
• Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare�
• State Employees Credit Union�

Maryland Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of MDOL that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.