The Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide is seeking a dedicated and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Ombudsman Staff Attorney. This is a hybrid position that combines ombudsman activities and investigatory work with legal analysis.
The position incumbent will work directly with the public and investigate complaints relating to public access, as well as complaints about administrative acts of state agencies within the jurisdiction of the office. Additionally, the position will collaborate with the Senior Staff Attorney to conduct legal research for and provide counsel to agency staff and management.
1. Considerable time will be devoted to fielding inquiries and investigating complaints regarding the Arizona public records law and the Arizona Open Meeting law from the public, elected officials, public officers and officials, and media.
• Communicating with the public, state and local agency officials, and employees about complaints, including trying to resolve complaints informally
• Evaluating whether state and local agency conduct was lawful and otherwise proper (i.e., reasonable, fair, oppressive, arbitrary)
2. The Ombudsman Staff Attorney is a professional ombudsman and attorney who is responsible for helping the ombudsman investigate and address citizen inquiries and complaints.
3. Assist investigators and management in drafting and revising investigative reports and statements concerning state agencies about a wide variety of issues and legal subject matters.
4. Engage in discussions with government officials relating to ombudsman office activities.
5. Complete special assignments as directed by management and the senior attorney.
6. Track pending legislation and possibly engage in other legislative activities.
7. Conduct legal research for and provide counsel to agency team members.
8. Engage in policy discussions and provide policy advice.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.
Distinguishing characteristics of the Ombudsman Staff Attorney:
1. The individual’s assignments will typically require them to make decisions based on substantial analysis and interpretation of relevant law. The case situations may require identifying standards in which no clear standards exist, or in which the law is not clear. In these situations, the ombudsman attorney uses considerable independent judgment:
• To identify and analyze applicable precedents or policies to resolve a specific case situation
• To select a proper conclusion or recommended course of action
2. The individual works collaboratively with the Senior Staff Attorney and keeps the Ombudsman informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and the implications of the work performed.
3. The individual has substantial responsibility for exercising judgment in handling complaints. They accept complaints from the public and independently investigate a variety of complaints from moderate to difficult complexity and involving a wide range of factual situations.
Examples of duties: The Ombudsman Staff Attorney:
1. On infrequent occasion, one may be required to travel to Arizona communities for training or speaking engagements or to handle a particular case situation. Similarly, on rare occasions, travel out-of-state may be required to attend or participate in workshops, seminars, or conferences. Because most forms of travel require a driver’s license, one must have a valid state-issued driver's license.
2. Analyzes legal problems, formulates interpretations, and makes recommendations to assist ombudsman staff members and advise the ombudsman management team.
3. Exercises and maintains the security and confidentiality of office matters and materials as required by law.
4. Receives complaints and questions from the public, media, agency officials, and elected officials and:
• Conducts intake interviews to establish the basis of an allegation
• Logically and accurately explains rationale for decisions
• Screens complaints for jurisdiction and appropriateness
• Recommends alternative referral resources
5. Analyzes results of investigations, and prepares reports of findings and recommendations for ombudsman review and signature.
6. Coordinates results of investigations with appropriate administrators and complainants.
7. Prepare and implement a plan of investigation for each complaint to be investigated.
8. Periodically may make speeches or appearances on behalf of the ombudsman.
9. Conducts legal research about the complaint by using appropriate sources such as:
• Office resource files and agency policy and procedure manuals
• Appropriate online research engines and information sites
• Law library facilities and materials
10. Interview complainants, witnesses, and agency personnel.
11. Maintains proper investigative files, containing:
• Written notes that are clear enough to permit an independent understanding of the work done in investigating the complaint and communicating with the parties
• A report which expresses cogent, articulate, and understandable conclusions for the target audience
• Notes and affidavits which substantiate witness testimony
• Relevant recommendations
The individual in this position will have:
• Proficient writing skills, particularly in gathering facts and organizing them to persuasively explain the information, legal concepts, and arguments so that the general public can readily comprehend the material
• The ability to communicate effectively to a wide audience as evidenced by an excellent command of the English language, and the ability to change styles to fit the target audience
• The ability to work with individuals in personal stress and crises or confrontational situations as evidenced by the ability to maintain control of an interview and elicit factual information
• Experience in engaging with the public, elected officials, public officers, and officials, and/or media reporters
• A working knowledge of Arizona government, ombudsman practices, and administrative procedures
• The ability to conduct legal research of statute and case law, including the use of Westlaw
• Knowledge of Arizona public records law and open meeting law
• Experience and comfort with public speaking
Be able to conduct fair and impartial investigations, as evidenced by the ability to:
• Initiate and complete investigations without bias and present written reports detailing findings supported by clear and convincing evidence and make suggest practical recommendations
• Read and comprehend Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, legal opinions, administrative interpretations, policy and procedure manuals, and similar resource material
• Accurately and logically summarize case factors including allegations, facts, issues, possible implications and plausible recommendations to resolve matters
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other employees and with people contacted in the course of work
• Describe and apply investigative techniques appropriate to the complaint under investigation
• Identify and describe the standards against which the agency's performance is measured
Minimum Qualifications:
• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and an active Arizona State Bar license in good standing
Preferred relevant experience may include:
• Professional experience in administration, management analysis, research, or planning relating to administrative acts of state or local level
• Experience in administrative law, public records law, open meeting law, and/or bodies of law governing one or more state agencies
• Experience in child safety matters or empowerment scholarship accounts, as the legislature has prioritized these two matters
• Experience working with constituents and government officials in a government setting government agencies
• Experience with the legislative or similar policy-making processes
• Report writing experience
• Investigatory experience
The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Sick leave