ATTORNEY IV4025D3 Pay Grade: 36 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is administrative or consultative legal work with the responsibility for coordinating, planning, organizing and conducting the programs and activities of a legal nature in a State agency. Work involves handling complex matters involving significant potential liability to the agency. Employees in this class serve as either the agency’s chief legal counsel or as a senior legal counsel for an agency dealing with complex legal issues. Work includes reviewing or overseeing the review of agency and departmental policies and programs from the standpoint of their legality; supervising and/or participating in the filing and trying of lawsuits; and providing written and oral legal opinions. Duties may also include supervising staff attorneys and support staff. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL E: "Under administrative direction…" At this level, employees are free to plan, develop and organize all phases of the work necessary for its completion within program guidance. Generally, they can develop and utilize any procedures and methods which do not conflict with major policies. Supervision is generally exercised over them through staff conference-type discussions and a review of progress reports. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many 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 E: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are highly significant. Work is rarely if ever reviewed. Errors may result in serious disruption in the operation of a major agency. 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, meeting 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 F: Involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating work as a superior to managers of first line supervisors. May administer major departmental or multi-functional programs through subordinate managers. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Administrative Law Judge class in which incumbents presiding over quasi-judicial hearings. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Coordinates and directs the legal activities of multiple state agencies or institutions. Acts as a senior legal advisor to an executive staff, or as chief litigation attorney for a state umbrella agency. Advises agency administrators concerning the interpretation of laws and the proper course of legal action. Renders final opinions upon the legality of all administrative regulations and other matters of the agency. Supervises senior staff attorneys and other staff attorneys assigned to various administrative programs and litigation matters. Oversees, supervises and participates in simple to highly complex litigation before various state and federal courts and administrative tribunals. Directs the preparation and maintenance of necessary legal and administrative records and reports. Supervises a staff of legal and clerical employees engaged in performing various legal and related activities. 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 application of legal principles to individual cases or problems. Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting the administration of the programs of the assigned department. Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision. Abilities *Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents concerning complex 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 administer and coordinate the legal activities of several diverse agencies. *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 and three years of experience practicing law as a licensed attorney. NC: 06/94 |