Legal Division

800 W Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ  85007

Salary: $91,300 

Grade: 3

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Staff Attorney (Attorney 4) position will provide comprehensive legal representation, advice, and support to the Commission’s members, Director, Deputy Director, and various divisions. Performs legal research, analysis, litigation strategy, and drafting of legal opinions, memoranda, and briefs while representing the Division in statewide legal proceedings and engaging with internal and external stakeholders. This position will focus 25% to 50% of its efforts on collection initiatives, including garnishments, judgment enforcement, and asset investigations, to support agency recovery efforts.

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:

• Provide legal representation and advice to Commission members, leadership, and divisions by conducting discovery, performing legal research and analysis, developing litigation strategies or legal opinions, and appearing at statewide prehearing conferences, settlement conferences, hearings, trials, mediations, and appellate proceedings.
• Draft and edit legal opinions, memoranda, briefs, and official correspondence while maintaining effective communication with clients, judges, opposing counsel, witnesses, and the public.
• Serve as a Division representative to internal and external customers by participating in committees, delivering presentations and training, and responding to inquiries.
• Maintain electronic files and databases using Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) case management systems.
• Support the Legal Unit's adherence to the Arizona Management System (AMS) principles, including using the Huddle Board, reviewing and developing standard work, and participating in cross-training initiatives.

Knowledge in

• Arizona administrative practices and procedures and personnel rules and requirements.
• The purposes, goals, policies, procedures and practices of the Commission and the Legal Division.
• Legal research methods, legal principles, and their application.
• Arizona law and applicable Federal law as it relates to workers' compensation, OSHA, labor/employment, administrative practice and procedures, appellate practice and procedure, superior court practice and procedure, rulemaking and other regulatory requirements affecting state agencies, contracting and procurement, open meetings, public records, insurance, collection practices and procedures, and bankruptcy/receivership/liquidation.
• Medical terminology, medical diagnoses, and treatment.
• Construction terminology and construction methods.
• Ethical standards applicable to lawyers and public employees.

Skills in

• Teamwork.
• Legal research and legal writing involving complex questions of law.
• Persuasive oral communication and negotiation.
• Clear and concise written and oral advocacy.
• Critical and logical analysis, including skill in analyzing complex legal problems and applying legal principles and precedents to a particular set of facts.
• Planning/organization, multi-tasking, and time management.
• Use of computer and related technical devices/programs/software.
• Problem-solving, ingenuity, and decision-making.
• Attention to detail and being thorough.
• The use of case management software and databases.

Ability to

• Interact professionally with a diverse group of clients, coworkers, and the public.
• Manage a significant volume of cases.
• Display courteous, ethical, and professional behavior.
• Apply professional ethical rules in daily practice.
• Exercise good judgment in making strategic decisions in cases and providing legal advice to clients.
• Multi-task, prioritize, adapt to changing circumstances, and meet deadlines.
• Collaborate with other staff.
• Work under pressure.
• Travel within and without Arizona, including overnight stays.
• Recognize and engage those with different backgrounds, characteristics, and perspectives to bridge gaps in understanding of differing viewpoints, as well as ensuring persons with diverse perspectives are given the opportunity to collaborate and provide input.

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 3-5 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.