Closing Date: 31st May, 2024
Description:
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is a state agency responsible for overseeing the complex mission of managing, monitoring, planning for and financing the state's water resources and infrastructure towards reliable future supplies that support strong communities, commerce, and the environment. The agency is seeking a full-time Assistant General Counsel to join our family of professionals in delivering exceptional services and expertise to Oklahomans.Travel: Occasional overnight or 3–4-day travel for training & conference attendance is required.
Level II:
This is the career level of the job family, where incumbents are largely responsible for performing a full range of professional legal activities or at a full performance level. May provide training or assistance to lower-level employees. Assignments are prescribed, but the methods are not typically reviewed nor controlled while the work is in progress.
Level III:
At this level employees are assigned responsibilities for advanced level legal work and perform tasks with greater independence. Employees at this level may be recognized as experts in the specialty. This position may be asked to handle a wide variety of complex legal assignments, including, but not limited to, researching and providing guidance on unique and challenging areas of law, handling a larger and more complex caseload, assisting contracts and acquisition on more complicated issues, and assisting with the drafting of legislation and rules. Position is free from active technical control in planning and carrying out work responsibilities.
Typical Functions:
- Participates or assist in the resolution of employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals through the State's administrative process, other regulatory bodies, or court appeals when required. This may include, but not limited to, complaints or allegations by employees regarding, discrimination, wage and hour disputes, and unemployment
- Conducts or assists in the enforcement of agency rules, including action taken against licensees when in violation of agency rules. Including review of sufficiency of water right applications and public notices for such applications; providing legal review, advice, and representation in administrative enforcement actions involving stream water right forfeitures, dam safety, construction of wells and installation of pumps, and other matters as assigned
- Advises agency directors, managers, and other relevant staff on internal employee complaints, administrative, and operational rules, laws, and procedures to include but not limited to agency policy, federal and state personnel laws, and other regulatory mandates required for the agency to conduct business.
- Prepares or presents letters, memoranda of law, briefs, contracts, pleadings, motions, orders, consent, and other relevant or related documents and pleadings. This may include preparing or presenting appeals to district, civil, supreme, or other court proceedings in writing or orally, to Boards and Commissions and their members, and other court proceedings as directed.
- Prepares and presents the agency's case in administrative hearings and trial litigation, pre-trial or pre-hearing conferences, and arguing the agency motion/position before the court, commission, hearing officer, or Administrative Law Judge. Conducts discovery; examines and cross-examines witness, negotiates in support of the agency.
- Reviews, edits, and approves litigation filings when appropriate. This may be for lower-level attorneys, or litigation that is significant or complex.
- Mentors or oversees lower-level staff and projects within an assigned area in an effective and professional manner, reviews and provides guidance of cases including cases involving litigation; may recommend or provide training, guidance, motivation, and support of staff
- Provide legal assistance and guidance as necessary for the drafting, adoption and promulgation of rules; providing legal review and assistance to Oklahoma commissioners and support staff on Oklahoma interstate stream compacts; and representing the OWRB in litigation as assigned by the OWRB General Counsel.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; applicable regulations; constitutional law and the Oklahoma Constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing Skills required include critical thinking skills; conducting legal research; written and oral communication; attention to detail sound judgement and decision making. Abilities required include presenting statements of fact and law; clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form; analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; conduct legal research on Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, Fastcase, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources; meet timelines while following the Oklahoma statutes; represent the agency in a professional manner; train lower-level employees; provide leadership in the absences of the agency General Counsel.
Education and Experience:
Level II
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a license to practice law in State of Oklahoma; an active membership of the Oklahoma Bar Association and two years of legal experience or adjudicative experience.
Level III
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a license to practice law in State of Oklahoma, an active membership of the Oklahoma Bar Association, and five years of legal experience or adjudicative experience.
Special Requirements:
Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct
Some agencies may require the incumbent to function or comply with:
- Oklahoma Statutes, in particular Title 68: Revenue and Taxation, and the Oklahoma Administrative Code, Title 710: Oklahoma Tax Commission.
- Information and records of the agency are subject to the confidentiality provisions in 68 O.S. 205.
- Federal tax information (FTI) received by the agency must be protected as directed by 26 U.S.C. 6103.