LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY II

BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:   Legislative Attorney II, Administrative Rules Review Section

GRADE:        SPC05

SUMMARY OF POSITION:          The Legislative Attorney II works under the direct supervision of the Administrative Rules Chief Legal Counsel.  The legislative attorneys in the section provide services to members of the General Assembly with regard to the legislative review of state agency rules, litigation reports provided to the Legislative Council, and claims appealed to the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.  The legislative attorneys in the section conduct a thorough review of each proposed state agency rule and appealed claim filed with the Legislative Council, perform prereviews and final reviews of administrative rules to assess and ensure consistency with Code of Arkansas Rules style, and work with members of the General Assembly to answer questions concerning administrative rules and communicate member concerns relating to proposed rules to state agencies, as well as staffing the Administrative Rules and Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittees of the Legislative Council.  The Legislative Attorney II has established legal research skills and experience with Arkansas law and legal writing.   

Position grade and salary will be commensurate with experience.  The grade range is SPC03–SPC08, and the salary range is $71,027–$169,298.

The Bureau of Legislative Research seeks a Legislative Attorney II who will review administrative rules, conduct legal research for the Arkansas General Assembly, and codify administrative rules for inclusion in the Code of Arkansas Rules.  Candidates who demonstrate strong research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills, have research experience in and broad general knowledge of various legal issues, and possess a portfolio of high-quality legal analytical writing are encouraged to apply.  Regular contact with legislative members and agency personnel is required.  Given that the Arkansas General Assembly often deals with issues that are at the forefront of the law, candidates must be capable of working in a number of different areas of the law and have the intellectual curiosity to seek out and maintain a broad working knowledge of legal issues.

Experience in administrative law is preferred but not required.

BLR works exclusively for the Arkansas General Assembly, providing various services, including bill drafting and legal analysis, to committees and members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, regardless of political affiliation.  BLR is known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan.  BLR seeks to ensure that the Arkansas General Assembly has immediate access to high-quality research, analysis, and writing on issues of interest to its members and committees.

Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter in addition to an application.  A background check is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:          

• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide answers to legal issues that may arise and provide legal research and legal memoranda.
• Review state agency rules filed with the Legislative Council under Arkansas Code § 10-3-309 for content and compliance with statutory authority before the expiration of the rule’s public comment period and prepare legal summaries for legislative members.
• Prereview state agency rules for compliance with Code of Arkansas Rules style and review and proof state agency rules for codification following Legislative Council approval and agency finalization. 
• Attend public hearings concerning state agency rules filed with the Legislative Council.
• Communicate with members of the General Assembly concerning proposed state agency rules and public feedback on those rules, as well as the rule’s compliance with state law.
• Provide legal staff support to the Administrative Rules and Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight  Subcommittees of the Legislative Council.
• Attend other legislative committee meetings to which state agency rules have been referred or statutorily assigned.
• Keep track of Acts passed by the General Assembly that require the promulgation of rules by state agencies and assist in preparing a report of those Acts for legislative members.
• Develop and maintain expertise in assigned subject matter areas, including monitoring case law, trends in other jurisdictions, news items, and emerging developments.
• Review appealed claims, awarded claims, and litigation reports to be considered by the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee of the Legislative Council and prepare legal summaries for legislative members. 
• Staff the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee as necessary. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Prepare materials and conduct presentations concerning administrative rules and the legislative process in general.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel to conferences and seminars.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Administrative Rules Chief Legal Counsel, the Deputy Director for Legal Services, and the Director of the Bureau.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
• License to practice law in Arkansas, maintained in good standing.
• At least two (2) years as a Legislative Attorney I or other relevant experience as determined by the Director of the Bureau and the Deputy Director for Legal Services.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and constitutions, especially Arkansas Code § 10-3-309, the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act at Arkansas Code § 25-15-201, et seq., and the Freedom of Information Act at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101, et seq.
• Knowledge and proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 
• Knowledge of or the ability to expeditiously develop knowledge of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.
• Knowledge of or the ability to expeditiously develop knowledge of laws, precedents, and procedures related to the General Assembly.
• Ability to proficiently conduct objective legal research and perform legal analysis.
• Proficiency in or writing experience that demonstrates the ability to quickly develop proficiency in the Code of Arkansas Rules style manual. 
• Ability to independently organize workload and set priorities.
• Ability to communicate appropriately with Bureau Staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and members of the public.
• Valid Arkansas Driver’s License and less than 10 points on current traffic violation report under the Arkansas State Vehicle Safety Program.

PRODUCTION STANDARDS:

• Accurately analyzes and provides nonpartisan legislative solutions to complex legal issues.
• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrates proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.
• Exhibits a professional attitude and appearance.
• Functions independently and cooperates as part of an administrative rule review team, including without limitation assisting with the workload of other section members when necessary.
• Maintains high standard of professional ethics and exercises appropriate discretion with confidential matters.