Closing Date: 3rd August, 2026

Description:

The Position:
Do you want to be part of the legal team for an agency that stands ready daily to confront hateful acts and to help heal individuals and communities across the Commonwealth? Apply to be an Attorney 1 with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. This entry level attorney role serves as a prosecuting attorney for our Pittsburg Regional office and performs a variety of other legal work, research, and support needed to fulfill the Commission's statutory mandates. Step into a role that offers opportunities advance your career while contributing to statewide efforts that uphold civil rights.

Description of Work:
This position provides legal representation and support to help the Commission enforce civil rights laws and carry out its investigative and prosecutorial duties. Work involves legal research, analysis, case preparation, and collaboration with staff and community groups. As an Attorney 1, you will perform the following duties:

Case Prosecution: Prepare and prosecute discrimination cases; represent the Commission on appeals to the Commonwealth Supreme Court
Legal Guidance: Provide legal support to staff on all aspects of discrimination cases; respond to inquiries from the public regarding issues of discrimination law
Research and Analysis: Conduct online legal research and analyze case law to support investigation, prosecution, public education, and other Commission work
Document Preparation: Draft and review complaints, petitions, motions, subpoenas, agreements, orders, and related materials
Professional Development: Help train agency staff and the public in discrimination law; attend seminars to stay up to date with the latest developments

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment
Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to two days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility:
Qualifications:

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Graduation from an accredited school of law and certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; or
Completion of all preparatory steps and application to become a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Post Employment Requirement:
Applicants must be certified for admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and must maintain membership on a continuous basis during employment.

Additional Requirement:
You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:
Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.