Description:

The Health and Human Services Section of the Environment, Health, and Human Services Division of the Utah Attorney General's Office has one opening for an attorney to represent the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”). Litigation experience is preferred. This position does not represent the Division of Child and Family Services or the Office of Recovery Services.

The responsibilities for this position include representing DHHS agencies in contested administrative hearings, civil litigation, and advising matters related to sharing government records, review and application of federal regulations and state administrative rules, review and advise on contracts and grants, and general agency advice. The successful applicant must have excellent case management, writing, and oral advocacy skills and the ability to work with others as a team. All applicants must be members of or eligible for membership to the Utah State Bar in good standing and be admitted or eligible for admission to practice in state courts.

This position is a career service position upon the successful completion of a one-year probationary period. The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.

Along with your application, please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, your resume, and your work experience. A security background check is required as a condition of employment. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The Utah Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer.
This posting will be open until filled and may close without notice.*

Responsibilities:

Prepares judicial and administrative cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
Determine needs in discovery, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
Drafts litigation working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards.
Conducts conferences with defendants and/or attorneys, negotiate settlements, and testify in court.
Conducts, or represents assigned DHHS agencies in informal administrative hearings.
May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.

Qualifications:
(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

agency and/or organizational program(s)
communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures related to human services, Medicaid, and public health
speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
legal processes and procedures
applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
understand and apply case and statutory law
evaluate information against a set of standards
use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
rules of evidence
interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
principles, theories, and practices of judicial and administrative law

Supplemental Information:

A Juris Doctorate is required.
Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
Where statute mandates, active membership in the Utah State Bar.
Must be able to travel as required.