Staff Attorney

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state's largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Annual Salary Range: $75,000 to $95,000 Per Year

Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program (http://oitsapps.ks.gov/da/ops/star/)
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information… (http://oitsapps.ks.gov/da/ops/star/)

Position Summary & Responsibilities:
Application Deadline: Open until filled.

This position will be located at the KDA Headquarters Office in Manhattan, Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is accepting applications to fill one Staff Attorney position within our Legal Section. KDA's purpose is to serve, promote and grow the state's largest industry. We are an agency that focuses on creating a best-in-state plus workforce that is diligent about innovation and efficiency in our duties and customer service.

The Legal Section assists the various KDA programs as they regulate a wide variety of sectors, including water use, conservation, pesticide, fertilizer, food safety, lodging, weights and measures, plants, hemp, noxious weeds, seeds, dairy, animal health, agricultural promotion and marketing, and meat and poultry inspections. The Legal Section also provides general legal support to the agency.

The open position will work with the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) Program to assist with enforcement and compliance operations in administration of the Kansas Pet Animal Act. Dependent upon the workload of the AFI Program at any given time, this position will have the opportunity to assist with special projects as needed in other subject matter areas.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Preparing orders, pleadings, briefs, and other documents for the enforcement of all laws and regulations for which the agency is responsible, including administrative hearings and state court actions.
• Advising agency programs in carrying out their regulatory duties.
• Drafting administrative rules and regulations and legislation.
• Research, interpret, and apply statutes, court decisions, and other legal authority as required.
• Collaborating with team members and other agency staff and external stakeholders as necessary to advance the duties and mission of the agency.
• Any other duties as required by the Chief Counsel or senior administration.

* This position has the opportunity to telework per guidelines of the Telework Policy of the Kansas Department of Agriculture KDA after one year of service.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Admission to and membership in good standing with the Bar of the Supreme Court of Kansas or the ability to gain such admission.
• This position must perform routine office tasks such as sitting, reading, examining documents, and viewing a computer for long periods of time.
• Employee is required have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver's license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Preferred Requirements (Not Required)

• At least one year of practice.
• Knowledge of animal health law.
• Knowledge of constitutional law.
• Knowledge of administrative law and the development of administrative rules and regulations.
• Experience with litigation and/or administrative hearings, including appellate litigation.

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:
On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Inside your Job Application, upload these documents:

• Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample
• If applicant has graduated within the last three years, an unofficial transcript should be submitted.

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and Submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
• Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
• Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

• Instructions:
• Job Search (http://jobs.ks.gov/)
• Registration & User Account (http://jobs.ks.gov/)
• Application (http://jobs.ks.gov/)
• Frequently Asked Questions (https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/faqs)

How to Claim Veterans Preference
Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference (https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/veterans)

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference (https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs/disability-hiring-preference)

Please Note: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612