Paralegal to the Office of Chief Counsel

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Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy :

Job Posting closes : Open until filled

Governor's Office

https : / / governor.kansas.gov

About the Position :

Who can apply : Anyone

Classified / Unclassified Service : Unclassified

Full-Time / Part-Time : Full-time

Regular / Temporary : Regular

Work Schedule : 8 : 30 am to 5 : 00 pm, Monday through Friday

Eligible to Receive Benefits : Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible : Yes

Compensation :

Compensation will be based upon the candidate’s education, experience, and / or qualifications.

Employment Benefits :

• First day of employment coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical and prescription drug coverage and dental plan.
• Additional voluntary options including vision, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness insurance plans and flexible spending accounts.
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services.
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs : parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information.

Position Summary & Responsibilities :

Paralegal to the Office of Chief Counsel

The Kelly-Toland Administration (the administration ) seeks to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where hardworking, energetic and talented individuals work together, on behalf of the people of Kansas, to make our state the best place to live, work and raise a family.

The Paralegal to the Office of Chief Counsel ( OCC ) provides para-professional and administrative legal support for the OCC.

This includes managing, coordinating, and overseeing the processes through which the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel accomplish their job duties.

Accordingly, a large part of the Paralegal’s duties relate directly to and reflect the duties of the Chief and Deputy Chief Counsels as described in the Chief and Deputy Chief Counsels’ job descriptions.

The Paralegal’s duties, however, do not simply require support or assistance to the OCC. The Paralegal is lead Governor’s Office ( GO ) staff for several office operations and must be able to manage those operations with minimal supervision or direction.

Primary operations for which the Paralegal is the lead GO staff include but are not limited to : (1) collecting and aggregating information received for OCC review and follow-up, (2) managing the process by which legislative bills are received, reviewed, signed or vetoed, and (3) processing KORA requests, (4) serving as the Extradition and Detainer Administrator for the State of Kansas / Office of the Governor, (5) coordinating the initial receipt, review, and fulfillment of all Kansas Open Records Requests, (6) managing the clemency application process, (7) research and prepare legal documents and reports, and (8) formatting and proofreading confidential and privileged documents, including at times for requests seeking substantive edits.

In this role, the Paralegal is a first point of contact for judges, lawyers, legislators, other political staff, and advocates, and as such must always act in a manner that strengthens and protects the reputations of the Governor, her office, and the State of Kansas generally.

The Paralegal is based in the governor’s executive offices in the statehouse, Topeka, Kansas, and reports to the Chief Counsel.

Core Responsibilities :

• Research and prepare legal documents, including performing legal research. This may include searching for, interpreting and applying laws, court decisions, and other legal authority for the preparation of legal papers in connection with legal proceedings.
• Draft legal documents and reports for review, approval, and use of licensed attorneys.
• Manage administrative matters for Chief and Deputy Chiefs Counsels, including but not limited to : scheduling, travel, and correspondence.
• Track incoming and completed requests for legal services from the OCC.
• Coordinate legal review of flag orders to be issued by the Communications Division, in addition to other press releases Legal may be asked to review.
• Assist with judicial appointments, including communicating with judicial applicants, collecting and retaining application materials, and preparing related materials for review by the Governor.
• Serve as primary liaison for legal notices to the Attorney General’s Office and federal agencies for the OCC.
• Work with the Chief and Deputy Chief Counsels on Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) or Kansas Open Meetings Act requests / inquires.

This includes preparation of initial responses, initial assembly and review of discovery results, gathering information within the GO to respond to requests, communication of final response, and facilitation of KORA fee payment processing, when applicable.

• Assist in setting up training for new hires to the Governor’s Office regarding Governmental Ethics, Political Activity, and the Kansas Open Records Act.
• Manage the review and tracking of clemency requests. Including reviewing clemency applications and related documents.
• Review, prepare, and finalize all requests for governor’s signature including but not limited to : bond documents, executive orders, executive directives, and emergency declarations;

assist chief counsel in execution of documents.

• Manage cabinet and agency counsel report receipt, tracking, and compilation.
• Serve as the Extradition and Detainer Administrator for the State of Kansas / Office of the Governor.
• Support the Bill Review Committee (BRC), including but not limited to, serving as custodian of legislative documents and related paperwork, distributing pertinent information to BRC members, and tracking signing event requests on pending legislation.
• Create process manuals documenting the OCC’s routine functions.
• All other duties as directed by Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel.

Core Expertise :

• The Paralegal must be able to think creatively and critically about the big picture enabling the GO to serve the people of Kansas efficiently, progressively, and in pursuit of the priorities set by the Governor while also understanding the details of the many legal issues relevant to the GO.
• The Paralegal must be able to efficiently manage processes that involve hard deadlines, diverse digital and hard-copy paperwork, and sensitive political and legal matters.

This requires excellent organizational and time-management skills as well as good judgment to prioritize essential tasks when Chief and Deputy Chief of Staff may be unavailable for consult.

• The Paralegal must have strong writing skills.
• The Paralegal must be self-motivated and take the initiative to identify work that needs to be done.
• The Paralegal should have, or be able to quickly develop, an understanding of the organization of state government and the relationships among or between various state entities.
• The Paralegal must be able to react calmly and quickly to emergencies or time-sensitive matters.
• The Paralegal must be personable and a team-player, able to work well with other GO staff.
• The Paralegal must be fluent with office software such as all Microsoft Office applications, PDF applications, and other state information systems.
• The Paralegal must be discreet, possess independent judgement, and maintain a keen attention to detail.

Other Duties as Assigned :

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education and Experience :

• Undergraduate degree or relevant work experience.
• 2 years of administrative support experience (paralegal, legal, or office assistant).
• Previous employment in a state or federal agency, or in a law firm, is preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, the ability to work well under pressure and balance multiple tasks of high priority.
• Proficiency with office software such as all Microsoft Office applications and Adobe Acrobat is required.
• Familiarity with online legal research tools such as Westlaw.
• Demonstrated writing skills.
• Demonstrated educational or professional experience managing schedules, deadlines, and assignments.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• As part of standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Kelly-Toland Administration will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check and a state-law required drug test.

Work Environment :

This position operates in a fast-paced and professional office environment with noise levels that are usually low to moderate.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand;

walk; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or type; and reach with hands and arms.

The governor’s office maintains an official workday of 8 : 30 AM to 5 : 00 PM, Monday through Friday. However, the Paralegal may be required, occasionally, to work long hours, nights or weekends as circumstances require.

The Paralegal is an unclassified state employee.

Recruiter Contact Information :

• Name : Kim Warren
• Email : [email protected]
• Mailing Address : Department of Administration Personnel Office, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process :

Submit cover letter and resume to Kim Warren at [email protected].

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete :

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

How to Claim Veterans Preference :

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE) : Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.

S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job.

Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference.

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference :

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and / or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions.

If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position.

The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference.

PLEASE NOTE : The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS.

These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed / delivered in person to :

ATTN : Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity :

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace.

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

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