Staff Attorney

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

This position will be located at the KDA Headquarters Office in Manhattan, Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is accepting applications to fill one Staff Attorney position within our Legal Section. KDA’s purpose is to serve, promote and grow the state’s largest industry. We are an agency that focuses on creating a best-in-state plus workforce that is diligent about innovation and efficiency in our duties and customer service.

The Legal Section assists the various KDA programs as they regulate a wide variety of sectors, including water use, conservation, pesticide, fertilizer, food safety, lodging, weights and measures, plants, hemp, noxious weeds, seeds, dairy, animal health, agricultural promotion and marketing, and meat and poultry inspections. The Legal Section also provides general legal support to the agency.

The open position will primarily provide legal support to the Food Safety and Lodging and Weights and Measures Programs. It will also be responsible for review of the agency’s contracts and for providing legal support related Kansas Open Records Act requests. The position may have the opportunity to assist with special projects as needed in other subject matter areas.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Preparing orders, pleadings, briefs, and other documents for the enforcement of all laws and regulations for which the agency is responsible, including administrative hearings and state court actions.
• Advising agency programs in carrying out their regulatory duties.
• Drafting administrative rules and regulations and legislation.
• Research, interpret, and apply statutes, court decisions, and other legal authority as required.
• Collaborating with team members and other agency staff and external stakeholders as necessary to advance the duties and mission of the agency.
• Any other duties as required by the Chief Counsel or senior administration.

** This position has the opportunity to telework per guidelines of the Telework Policy of the Kansas Department of Agriculture KDA after one year of service. 

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Admission to and membership in good standing with the Bar of the Supreme Court of Kansas or the ability to gain such admission.
• This position must perform routine office tasks such as sitting, reading, examining documents, and viewing a computer for long periods of time. 
• Employee is required have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position. 

Preferred Requirements (Not Required)

• At least one year of practice.
• Knowledge of administrative law and the development of administrative rules and regulations.
• Experience with litigation and/or administrative hearings.

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $75,000 to $90,000 Per Year
• Hourly Pay Range: $36.06 to $43.27 Per Hour