Attorney III

The Nebraska State Patrol is seeking a well-qualified, experienced candidate to join the Legal Division as an Attorney III. Do you like a little bit of everything the law has to offer and love learning new things? Are you a natural problem solver? Are you looking for a little legal variety? Are you a prosecutor or former prosecutor still wanting to work with law enforcement from a different vantage point? If so, the Patrol may have the attorney position for you! In addition to a competitive salary commensurate with experience and an excellent work–life balance, this position offers the successful candidate an opportunity to apply their experience to a vast area of the law. The Legal Division, comprised of one paralegal, one public records specialist, and four attorneys, advises Agency personnel regarding everything from criminal and civil law to employment and transactional/regulatory issues. There is no "average day", but it may include employment and labor law issues, contract review/drafting, determinations as to the issuance of a concealed handgun permit, subpoena responses, collaborating with numerous federal and local agencies, statutory and regulatory interpretation, legislation review and drafting, advising sworn personnel on criminal law matters, completion of legal determinations involving the Nebraska sex offender registry, and much more. Occasional travel to the Training Academy to instruct recruits or existing personnel regarding various legal topics pertinent to law enforcement will provide the opportunity for the right candidate to become a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor within the state of Nebraska.

Job Duties
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
• Confers with the agency head, other agency administrators, local government officials, associated or assigned agency legal staff members, plaintiffs, defendants, and other interested parties to exchange and prepare information on the facts and status of a case or other legal/administrative actions or issues.
• Directs and conducts legal research and case investigations to ensure information is collected for case preparation and to facilitate the administration and enforcement of agency statutory authority.
• Confers with representatives of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of State government to share information on legal/program issues or activities and to elicit necessary support for agency priorities and goals.
• Advises agency management and other government officials on the stipulations of program legislation and the legal impact of agency plans and operations to assist in the attainment of agency goals and objectives with statutory requirements.
• Recommends draft legislation, agency policies, and procedural statements to provide legal or administrative options to agency management in the enforcement of agency statutory authority.
• Prepares drafts of correspondence, motions, pleadings, findings of fact, conclusions of law, agency rules and regulations, orders, and other legal documents to provide legal guidance to legal counsels or agency management.
• May direct the work activities of assigned legal staff members, as needed, to facilitate the attainment of unit work goals and ensure the consistent application of administrative policies, procedures, standards, and legal requirements.
• May represent the agency in administrative hearings related to the enforcement of agency statutes; represents the agency in County or District/Supreme Courts as permitted by the County Attorney or State Attorney General offices or specific statutory authority.
• Prepares legal documents for use by the State Attorney General and/or County Attorney's offices in prosecuting civil or criminal cases.
• Conduct training for law enforcement officers and other department employees.
• Advise agency personnel on all legal matters.
• Other duties as assigned by the Agency Legal Counsel.

REQUIREMENTS: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing law and providing legal services such as preparing and trying cases, advising clients, and/or interpreting laws or administrative policies. Legal Requirements: In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of l943, incumbents in this class must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.