Legal Services Officer Jobs

Closing Date: April 20, 2023

Salary: Salary commensurate with education & experience

Job Code: LEP022

Pay Grade: M

Location: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SE, East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia's community powered child care rating system.

The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

: Provides analysis and/or recommendations on legal issues within the scope and authority of the agency. Acts as a liaison or representative between the agency and Department of Law. May act as lead worker and/or supervise support staff. Represents the agency in matters heard before The Office of State Administrative Hearings. Handles other legal issues that arise.

Job Responsibilities:

• Represents agency in administrative hearings or as a client to the Department of Law.
• Researches and analyzes current statutory and case law affecting the agency and/or programs.
• Provides analysis, answers, or recommendations regarding legal, liability and/or risk-management issues.
• Assists Human Resources in handling employee legal issues
• Identifies and resolves, or assists in the resolution of, legal problems.
• Maintains data integrity.
• Creates, stores and maintains reports, documentation, database files, logs, confidential or legal records, etc.
• Represents the agency in your assigned unit and represents the agency in programmatic hearings for that unit.
• Performs duties as assigned.
• Coordinates and implements due process procedures and procedures for appeals.
• Reviews investigative reports and identifies areas that require further investigation.
• Performs job responsibilities with minimal supervision and may supervise and/or direct the work of others.
• Participates and assists in the rulemaking process of various programs managed by the agency.
• Participates in the implementation of settlements, agreements, and/or legal judgments.
• Develops, oversees, and implements administrative processes designed to maintain and monitor the legal compliance of department processes.
• Researches, interprets and implements federal, state, and local law.
• Participates in the preparation and coordination of cases prior to and during court trials and administrative hearings.

Required Minimum Qualification: Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia OR eligibility to sit for the next Georgia Bar examination OR reciprocity AND Two

years of relevant legal experience OR Two years of experience required at the lower level Attorney 2 (LEP021).

Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess the following:

• Law degree from an accredited law school AND an active Georgia bar license with a minimum five years of continued legal practice or an active Georgia bar license and a minimum of three years of continued legal practice with a significant emphasis in administrative law with multiple appearances before the Office of State Administrative Hearings.

Technical Competencies:

• Skilled in customer service
• Skilled in Microsoft Office products
• Ability to collect, analyze and summarize information
• Ability to successfully try a case before a court of competent jurisdiction
• Knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act
• Ability to obtain, verify and evaluate sensitive information
• Ability to enter data or information accurately
• Ability to perform legal research
• Knowledge of the justice system to include administrative courts
• Ability to prepare legal briefs, motions and memoranda

Physical Requirements:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and visual inspection.
• Full range of hand and finger motion is required for data entry purposes.
• Statewide travel will be required to conduct and/or assist in legal proceedings, along with monitoring and technical assistance visits including overnight travel.
• Must possess reliable transportation (i.e. personal motor vehicle) and may be permitted use of official state vehicle or rental vehicle when justified/authorized.
• The worker must have a valid Georgia driver’s license, insurance coverage and the ability to drive for extensive periods as needed.
• The ability to speak clearly is required.
• Office environment includes sitting for extended periods of time.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
• The ability to hear and understand at a normal conversational level is required.
• Field work includes standing or walking for long periods of time; regularly requires bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling and moving items or materials occasionally of moderate weight (10-20 pounds).

offering flexible work schedules (at supervisory discretion) and a comprehensive compensation package, to include healthcare, Employees Retirement System, 401-k match, and elective options for dental, vision, AD&D, short and long-term disability, and life insurance. Note: vested TRS members will have no social security participation. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer and drug-free workplace. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any or all of the following: criminal and employment histories, credit history (as applicable to the position), education credentials, and motor vehicle driving records.

If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 404-656-3922. Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview. The job posting may be subject to being closed at any time without notice. Only those qualified candidates who are selected for an interview shall receive notification upon the filling of this vacancy.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.