The Nebraska Department of Education is looking for a Legal Counsel to join our high functioning legal team and provide legal assistance and opinions to provide overall agency support.
The hiring team is looking for candidates with high integrity, attention to detail, and critical thinking and analytical skills. This position will spend some time with contracts and procurement, so previous experience with contract and procurement law is preferred. If you have administrative hearing experience, that?s a plus!
Office Location: This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE.
This rate is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.
In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $31,600 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at
https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
- Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
- 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
- Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
- 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that?s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
- Thirteen paid holidays per year
Essential Functions
- Drafts and reviews contracts, provides legal interpretation, and advises on enforceability of contracts.
- Drafts Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to support procurement activities, and assists with evaluation of scoring.
- Reviews and prosecutes certification investigations and certification reinstatement cases.
- Assists with legal responsibilities related to issuance of educator certificates by the Commissioner of Education, handling investigations, prosecution, and administrative hearings.
- Collaborates with investigators to review reports, assess legal burden of proof, conduct discovery, participate in hearings, and draft briefs.
- Responds to public records requests, analyzes documents aligned with the Public Records Act, and responds with appropriate information within legal guidelines.
- Reviews and responds to Miscellaneous Expense, Tort, and Contract claims filed with DAS.
- Researches, interprets, and applies court decisions, statutes, regulations, and other sources of information.
- Collaborates to ensure appropriate advice, information, interpretations, and recommendations are provided in regard to implementation of education laws.
- Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver?s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.
Working Conditions and Travel:
This position requires approximately 75% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 25% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as meetings, hearings, and trainings. There is also approximately five days of overnight travel per year.
Requirements / Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in Nebraska, and two years of experience in the practice of law.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with administrative hearings, state procurement law, and drafting, reviewing, and interpreting contracts.
If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at
nde.hrjobpostings@nebraska.gov
.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.
Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.
Instructions for Applying
Important points to remember when applying:
- The employment application is required and is the primary source of information used to determine if you meet the minimum requirements of the job.
- Make sure your application is complete. Incomplete applications are rejected.
- You will not be allowed to change your application after you have applied for a position and you cannot re-apply for the the same position unless it is posted again.
- You have the opportunity to attach a resume; however, it should not be used to replace any information asked for on the official application.
- When you have successfully applied for a job, you will receive a confirmation on the screen and your application will be available on your Candidate Home page.
We encourage you to use the Search for Jobs feature to find jobs that are available in a particular location or a job that matches your work experience.
Applicants who need accommodation in the selection process should request this in advance. Requests can be made by contacting the Nebraska State Personnel Office 1526 K Street, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE. (402)471-2075.
These positions are subject to application of Veterans' Preference.
Qualification
Juris Doctor (JD)
Practice Areas & Specialty
Education Law, Government
Designation
Counsel