Unit Chief Counsel

Description:

Job Summary:
The Arizona Attorney General's Office, Child and Family Protection Division/Civil and Criminal Litigation and Advice Section (CLA) is seeking a Unit Chief Counsel to report directly to the CLA Section Chief Counsel.

CLA serves as legal counsel to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and the Department of Child Safety (DCS), handling legal advising, litigation, and state program enforcement.

Remote Options: This position may be eligible for Remote Work two days a week.

Job Duties:
The Unit Chief Counsel position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supervising and training CLA attorneys handling DES/DCS matters
• Providing written legal advice to our client agencies
• Keeping informed of changes in the law relating to DES/DCS programs
• Representing DES/DCS in court appearances and administrative hearings
• Conferring with the Section Chief Counsel and other members of the Office in high level matters affecting the Section and/or the client agencies.
• CLA attorneys are engaged in meaningful work, utilizing their legal skills and training to benefit the public interest while working in a collaborative setting that provides opportunity for professional development, increased responsibility, and learning new practice areas.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge:

• Knowledge of civil procedure, filing deadlines, and producing professional pleadings
• Knowledge and experience with settlement
• Knowledge and understanding of applicable case law, statutes, rules and regulations of state and federal courts
• Knowledge of legal techniques and the basic concepts of American Jurisprudence

Skill:

• An employee in this position must possess excellent litigation and supervisory skills.
• He/she will need to possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to interact well with managers in the client agency, with court officials, with subordinate staff and upper management.
• Preparing legal briefs, memoranda, and correspondence efficiently and with a minimum of supervision
• Legal analysis and reasoning
• Provide solid client advice; uses good judgment regarding legal advice/ recommendation
• Effective case presentation trial work

Ability:

• Display appropriate courtroom demeanor
• Build relationships with clients, colleagues, direct reports
• Demonstrate negotiation skills and persuasive abilities
• Utilize a problem-solving approach
• Independently identify and resolve legal issues
• Litigate using innovative techniques
• Must be able to handle a high volume of work and stressful situations

Selective Preference(s):
Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Travel is required for this position. A valid Arizona Driver's License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
• Admission to, and good standing with, the Arizona State Bar is required (include on resume the date(s) of admission in Arizona and any other states). Candidate must have an active Arizona State Bar license.
• Attorney applicants are required to submit a writing sample with their resume/application profile.
• The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive legal issue and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.
• All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies. A job offer cannot be tendered until the candidate has successfully passed the initial background check. Your record does not automatically constitute a bar to employment. Factors such as, but not limited to, age at time of offense and age of offense, as well as the relationship between the offense and the job for which you apply will be taken into account.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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