Legal Counsel

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: Open until Filled
• Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.

Agency Information:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Protecting Kansans, Promoting Recovery and Supporting Self Sufficiency

https://www.kdads.ks.gov/

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Legal Counsel

Compensation: * Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The attorney position provides legal advice and counsel for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and defends the Agency and its administration of programs in all types of litigation. Provides staff with legal interpretations of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Legal-Administrative and Litigation

The attorney represents KDADS before administrative law judges , , district courts, and appellate courts. Conducts and completes legal research related to cases or issues involving the Agency. Drafts and completes correspondence, pleadings, petitions, answers, motions, briefs, reviews documents, interviews witnesses, and completes hearings and trials. Case types may include, abuse, neglect and exploitation, , sexual predator treatment program, and others as assigned. Cases may be assigned to the attorney specifically, or as a member of a team. Team leadership will vary from case to case. The attorney has contact with agency staff, private attorneys, administrative law judges, district judges and district court staff during the course of processing assigned cases. The work product is reviewed by KDADS Chief Counsel and/or KDADS Senior Counsel. The position provides legal advice to the KORA Officer, including legal research and assisting with document review related to KORA requests.

Counsel

The incumbent counsels and advises KDADS personnel on the status of the law with regard to their duties, obligations, and potential liabilities and provides advice and counsel on emergent issues. Duties may also include training programs for agency personnel concerning legal matters, providing written memorandums, conducting legal research, attending assigned meetings in an advisory capacity, and similar duties to further the work of the agency. Provides assistance to the State Hospitals and KDADS Commissions in drafting and reviewing of policies.

Special Tasks

Special tasks as assigned by the Supervisor and KDADS Chief Counsel, including appointment to special project teams.

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments, as necessary.

Qualifications

State Minimum Requirements:

• Law Degree with evidence of current Kansas licensure to practice law in good standing is required
• Unrestricted License to operate a state vehicle
• Travel

Preferred:

• Strongly prefer individual with a positive attitude and demonstrated experience and aptitude for detail oriented legal work with an excellent command of grammar, writing and proofreading skills, teamwork experience, exceptional organization and communication skills, adaptability, flexibility, and assertiveness.

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS – Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: 785-296-0463

Fax: 785-368-6688

Email: KDADS.APPLY@ks.gov

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• Transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.