Assistant General Counsel

This position is located at the Will Rogers Memorial Office Building / OKC.

Job Type/Salary/Location/Benefits

• Full-time
• Vacancies: One
• Working Hours: M-F; 8-5
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Salary: Commensurate with education and experience
• Location: Will Rogers Memorial Office Building- OKC
• Telework Status: Hybrid work schedule (remote and in office as needs dictate)
• Supervisory: No
• Travel: Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position, including court appearances in various Oklahoma counties.

The State of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive Benefits Packet, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

Position Summary Of Responsibilities

• Represents the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (“OESC”) in federal, bankruptcy, appellate, and state courts.
• Represents the OESC in employment matters before the Civil Service Division and EEOC.
• Provides guidance to the OESC in risk management, worker’s compensation procurement, policies and procedures, and the Open Records and Open Meetings Act.
• Prepare and present cases in administrative hearings before the Assessment Board.
• Represents the OESC in collection matters relating to the enforcement of delinquent unemployment taxes and unemployment insurance overpayments.
• Perform special projects assigned by the General Counsel.
• Prioritize and balance multiple projects, deadlines, and interests simultaneously.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with other units of the OESC and appropriately represent the OESC when working outside of it.

Position Essential Functions

• Provides appropriate and timely legal advice and assistance to the OESC, Executive Director, and all division directors.
• Drafts pleadings, motions, pretrial order filing, briefs, witness preparation, and pretrial filings; attends pretrial, docket calls, and trial.
• Performs special projects as assigned including, but not limited to, legal research in federal or other state jurisdictions, utilizing published legal resources and internet websites; keeps up with changes in the law, changes in methods of legal research, and ethical standards of the bar.
• Conducts collection activities, including lien filing, hearing on assets, garnishments, and bankruptcy adversary cases.
• Answers records requests, subpoenas, and discovery requests.
• Drafts and reviews various procurement documents.
• Perform legal research and write opinion memorandums on various legal issues.
• Accept performance-based criticism and direction.
• Work well under pressure and handle stress.
• Meet attendance requirements as established by the agency.
• Follow the required OESC’s safety / security protocols.

These job functions, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Valued Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Competencies

Knowledge of legal procedures and documents; of the rules of evidence pertinent to field investigations; of the sources of information used in locating records and persons; of interviewing techniques; of legal report writing techniques; and of legal terminology. Skills and Competencies- excellent verbal and written communication skills expressing ideas clearly and concisely. Ability to conduct legal research; to prepare materials for use in court; to interview witnesses; to evaluate, summarize and report results of research; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical Demands/Work EnvironmentWork is typically performed in an office setting with climate-controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise level. While performing the duties of the job, employee is required to talk, stand, bend, walk, and reach with hands and arms. This position requires regular periods of sitting or standing and daily use of computer and phone. It also requires the occasional use of the office machinery in accordance with safety and security protocols.

Special Skills/Requirements

• Computer Skills – Employee must be capable of proficiently using the OESC’s standard software (Microsoft Office – Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, and Teams), the Internet.
• Skills in performing independent and difficult research in analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles, facts, and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; presenting statements of facts, law, and argument clearly and concisely in oral and written form; presenting, explaining, or arguing cases to administrative commissions, boards, or courts.
• Employee must be capable of lifting, carrying, and moving objects of up to 25 pounds.
• High level of organizational skills, and ability to work independently.
• Should be proficient in motion practice, brief writing, legal research.
• Willingness to use technology and engage in a collaborative, process-based work environment.

An EEO Employer

Education And Experience Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Include a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, in good standing with the Oklahoma Bar Association, and have at least 2 years of experience in the practice of law.