ATTORNEY II

4023D3

Pay Grade:  32

DEFINITION OF WORK

More experienced Attorneys may be responsible for rendering legal services and supplying legal advice on matters affecting State agencies. They may also conduct quasi-judicial hearings or be in charge of legal work for an organizational unit or function having legal issues of moderate complexity, or they may act as assistant counsel in very complex legal issues. As experience increases, typically so will the level of expected expertise.

Standard Classification Factors

Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction…" Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements.

Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the any factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category.

Complexity - LEVEL E: Work is of a highly diverse and/or complex nature characterized by a broad range of activities and frequently changing conditions, situations and problems. Considerable analytical thought is necessary for interpreting a variety of factors, problems and alternatives for methods and procedures. Work requires the origination of ideas, techniques and programs for solving technical problems or complicated situations. Workers at this level exercise a high degree of responsibility for independent judgment and may participate in major program changes or policy decisions. Work may be reviewed by occasional conferences or reports to superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are normally characterized by regulations, policies or complex technical manuals.

Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.

Contacts - LEVEL D: The purpose of the contact is to justify, defend, negotiate, persuade or interrogate to settle matters, maintain good will, gain cooperation or reach compromises when the information is controversial or the individuals or groups have strong differences of opinions or diverse viewpoints. Extensive use of communication techniques and well developed communication skills are required for dealing with others.

Physical Demands - LEVEL A: The work is predominantly sedentary and requires minimal or negligible physical exertion. The employee is normally seated; however, the nature of the work allows for periods of standing or walking at will.

Environmental Conditions - LEVEL A: The work environment involves normal everyday hazards or discomforts typical of offices, meting and training rooms, or libraries. Comfortable levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are inherent in the work environment. Exposure to deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is only occasional. The likelihood of injury is remote.

Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL C: Typically involves limited supervisory responsibility which entails performing as a "first line supervisor" for a small number of employees. Supervision is not the primary responsibility of the job. Responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling, and reviewing work and recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority.

Distinguishing Features

Differs from the Attorney IV class in which incumbents serve as chief legal counsel for a state agency or as a senior legal counsel for an agency with complex legal problems.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Performs legal work in enforcing the laws, rules, and regulations of an agency.

Conducts quasi-judicial hearings or advises boards or administrative officials in deciding hearings; prepares legal opinions for administrative officials.

Argues cases in court involving civil litigation and criminal prosecution.

Confers with private citizens to advise them on state laws and regulations.

Directs the preparation of contracts, leases, opinions, materials for proposed legislation, and the formulation of departmental rules and regulations.

Conducts legal research for the rendering of decisions affecting agency operations, in executing documents or preparing for trial of specific cases.

May supervise a small legal and clerical staff in rendering legal counsel to a state agency.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Knowledge

Knowledge of common law and of the state and federal laws, particularly in regard to general administrative and regulatory functions of state government.

*Knowledge of judicial procedures and of the rules of evidence.

*Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research.

*Knowledge of the methods and practices of pleading and presenting civil and criminal cases.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

Abilities

*Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents concerning cases and to present
such materials in clear and logical form for oral or written presentation, such as briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.

*Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments.

*Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with administrative officials, local governmental officials, fellow employees, court officials, and the public.

*Ability to plan, assign, and review the work of subordinate attorneys and clerical employees.

*Ability to draft legal instruments, proposed legislation, and legal opinions.

*Ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and precedents.

Ability to analyze legal documents and instruments, appraise and organize facts and legal principles relating to fiduciary practices in state-chartered banks and trust companies.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Kansas or temporary permit to practice law issued by the Supreme Court of Kansas

NC: 06/94
REV: 12/95
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 08/05
REV: 06/08