Attorney - Employee Relations
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Administrative Services - Agency 65

Location:
Lincoln Job Posting

Hiring Rate:
$34.500

Classification Salary Range:
$28.18 - $51.75

Job Posting:
JR2024-00003440 Attorney - Employee Relations (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:
The Department of Administrative Services is seeking an Attorney III or Attorney II to serve as the Deputy Employee Relations Administrator and offering an opportunity to use their legal expertise in the improvement of state government operations and the lives of state teammates. The Employee Relations team is focused on providing the best environment, tools, and information to all state teammates via consultation and bargaining efforts. This position serves that mission as a consultant to agency partners, an encompassing resource for labor relations and personnel legal matters impacting the entire state, and as an assistant spokesperson in labor contract negotiations. Pay commensurate with experience. $28.184 - $36.225.

Attorney II: One year 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. In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of 1943, must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.

Attorney III: 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. In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of 1943, must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.

Job Duties:

Confer with legal associates, officials, executive leaders, and others to review and prepare action or responses to legal, administrative, and contract issues, as well as weigh in on contractual proposals.  Participate in the review of contracts and policy in reference to statutory authority, legal form, general principles, and compliance with various regulations.  Research, investigate and confer with partners in gathering and preparing information for legal, administrative and contract issues, as well as interpreting, developing, and advocating solutions to contract administration, employee grievances, and other legal matters.  Assisting in the negotiation of union labor contracts by representing the state at the bargaining table, preparing, and coordinating exhibits and proposals to align with budgetary and policy goals, and participating in and coordinating impasse and settlement activities.  Assist in managing the grievance process through researching and interpreting legal precedents, case reports, State/Federal laws and other legal or regulatory documents  Support state positions on contract language in negotiations and arbitrations and serve as a hearing officer in some grievance cases under the Personnel Rules & Regulations and union labor contracts.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Attorney II: One year 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. In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of 1943, must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.

Attorney III: 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. In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of 1943, must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Prefer applicants who have served as a consultant, legal counsel or partner with human resources or management in the administration of labor contracts, resolving contractual or legal disputes, and creation of policy. It is also beneficial to have a strong research background with emphasis in economics/statistics or human resources. Experience working with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation process helpful.

OTHER: Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: State and/or federal statutory and case law and constitutional provisions pertinent to agency programs; the techniques of preparing or drafting legal document and forms; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; the principles and practices of legal research; the procedures of trial and administrative hearings; the principles and practices of criminal and civil law administration.

Skill in: preparing summaries, legal analyses, findings and conclusions, briefs and other legal documents, negotiating and communicating with others sufficient to persuade their acceptance of contentious goals or viewpoints; analyzing and interpreting various factors, perspectives, and options and applying critical thinking to resolve issues.

Ability to: prepare and communicate in person and by telephone, emails, summaries, and correspondence, the facts and arguments of a case to persuade others to accept the viewpoint presented; interact with legal associates, other governmental employees, the public, and representatives of parties involved in a case; formulate legal opinions and recommendations based on legal research and investigations; conduct legal research and investigations; identify critical elements of legal questions or issues and select appropriate course of action; prepare drafts of legal documents and forms; interpret and apply statutes, case law, decisions of judicial and administrative hearings, and administrative rules and policies.

BENEFITS:

These are the awesome benefits!

• 13 paid holidays

• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately

• Military leave

• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement

• Tuition reimbursement

• Employee assistance program

• 79% employer paid health insurance plans

• Dental and vision insurance plans

• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government

• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State

• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service

• Training and Development based on your career aspirations

• Fun, inviting teammates

• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!


Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! For more information on benefits currently offered to permanent teammates, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.