INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Legal Division

800 W. Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ  85007

Salary: $91,300.00 

Grade: 3

Closing Date:  Open Until Filled

The Senior Staff Attorney (Attorney IV) is primarily a collections and enforcement position, with approximately 25–50% of the work dedicated to collecting money owed to the State through demand letters, garnishments, judgment enforcement, asset investigations, and other collection efforts. The attorney also represents the Industrial Commission of Arizona in Special Fund matters involving uninsured workers' compensation claims, second injury claims, and supportive care claims under A.R.S. §§ 23-966 and 23-1065; enforces employer workers' compensation insurance requirements under A.R.S. § 23-961; pursues subrogation in third-party no-insurance claims; represents the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health in enforcement of the Arizona Occupational Safety and Health Act; represents the Labor Division in minimum wage, EPST, retaliation, and youth employment matters; provides legal advice to the Commission; assists with legislative and rulemaking matters; and manages assigned cases using the ICA's electronic case management system.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Provides legal counsel to the Accounting Collections Unit and manages the agency's collections litigation, including filing lawsuits, obtaining judgments, and       negotiating settlements.
• Conducts discovery, legal research, and legal analysis to support litigation and agency matters.
• Develops litigation strategies and prepares legal opinions.
• Represents the agency in prehearing conferences, settlement conferences, hearings, trials, mediations, and appellate proceedings.
• Drafts and reviews legal opinions, memoranda, briefs, settlement agreements, and legal correspondence.
• Communicates with agency leadership, clients, judges, opposing counsel, witnesses, and the public.
• Participates in Arizona Management System (AMS) initiatives, including continuous improvement, goal setting, and development of standard work

Knowledge in
• Arizona administrative practices, procedures, personnel rules, and state agency requirements.
• Industrial Commission of Arizona’s mission, policies, procedures, and Legal Division practices.
• Legal research methods, legal principles, and application of laws to complex legal issues.
• Arizona and federal laws related to workers’ compensation, OSHA, labor and employment, administrative law, appellate and superior court procedures, rulemaking, regulatory requirements, contracting and procurement, open meetings, public records, insurance, collections, bankruptcy, receivership, and liquidation.
• Medical terminology, diagnoses, and treatment related to workers’ compensation matters.
• Construction terminology and construction methods.
• Ethical standards applicable to attorneys and public employees.

Skills in
• Leadership, supervision, teamwork, mentoring, and staff development.
• Conducting complex legal research and preparing legal documents, including opinions, briefs, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Persuasive oral communication, negotiation, and legal advocacy.
• Analyzing complex legal issues, applying legal principles and precedents, and developing effective case strategies.
• Planning, organization, prioritization, multitasking, and time management.
• Using computers, legal technology, case management systems, databases, and related software.
• Problem-solving, decision-making, attention to detail, and thorough review of legal matters.
• Teaching, mentoring, and guiding attorneys and staff.

Ability to
• Interact professionally and effectively with diverse clients, coworkers, agency leadership, courts, attorneys, and the public.
• Manage a high volume of complex cases and effectively utilize staff resources.
• Demonstrate ethical, professional, and courteous conduct.
• Apply attorney ethics rules and exercise sound judgment in legal decisions and client advice.
• Manage competing priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Mentor and develop employees.
• Travel throughout and outside Arizona, including overnight travel when required.
• Recognize and engage individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to support collaboration and effective communication.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in areas of law related to that described herein.

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). An active Arizona State Bar license is required. Graduation from an accredited college of law.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

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

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

You will be eligible to participate in the state employee health/disability insurance plan, and you are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). ASRS participation may begin immediately or upon your 27th week of employment. Contributions are matched by the employer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call 602-542-5559 or email HR@azica.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.