Agency Legal Counsel

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school. 
•  Admission to and maintenance of licensure from the State Bar of Montana.
•  Eligible to be admitted to practice in federal and state courts, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years experience practicing law.
• Agriculture experience.

Benefits:

Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation package!  Upon date of hire, employees working at least half-time for more than six months are eligible for state paid premiums toward employee “core” medical, dental, and basic life insurance coverage.  Employees earn 15 working days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave and 10-11 paid holidays each year. Membership in a Retirement System, and eligibility for PSLF (Public Loan Forgiveness).

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

The Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for our Agency Legal Counsel.  The position is open until filled, next review of applicants on November 15, 2024.

The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries.

Job Overview:

The Agency Attorney performs professional legal work for all divisions in the Department of Agriculture.

This position is the sole legal counsel for the Agency and performs all professional legal work for the Agency and the various boards, councils, and committees attached to the Agency for administrative purposes.  This position gives legal advice and represents the Agency on all issues presented, ranging from administrative law and contract management to pesticide and grain trade regulatory enforcement, as well as all personnel discipline and termination proceedings.  The single greatest responsibility is the giving of sound and defensible legal advice and representing the position of the Agency, informed by a robust understanding of existing agency programs and policy matters affecting agriculture.  Agriculture is Montana’s number one industry and sound legal advisement and representation during the administration of its programs carries a high profile. 

As our Agency Legal Counsel, you will:

• Represent the agency in court, at hearings, or before other government entities.
• Review and prepare legal documents, opinions, forms, contracts, permits, and other legal agreements.
• Prepare appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders for judgment (s) after administrative and court proceedings.
• Interpret and apply state and federal laws and administrative rules.
• Draft or review administrative rules.
• Interview parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings.
• Receive, research, and respond to questions or complaints; provide information, explain policy and procedure, and/or facilitate a resolution.
• Provide consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and/or facilitate legal decisions.
• Handle cases with substantial legal precedent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of legal research methods and techniques; of court, hearing, and legislative proceedings; of state and federal statute, case law and constitutional provisions effecting the program area served by the attorney.
• Knowledge of rules, policies, practices, precedents, and organizational structure of the programs, of administrative practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the organization of state government, and how program operations interrelate with those of other state and federal agencies and the private sector.
• Ability to analyze the most difficult legal problems and to synthesize and recommend a legally defensible course of action; to be able to communicate with and assistance a diverse or highly specialized staff; to represent the agency in legislative hearings before managers and officials of other agencies, boards, committees, task forces and other interactions requiring knowledge of agency obligations and authority and functions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

 Physical and Environmental Demands:

• This position works in an office environment. Work hours are typically 8\:00 am to 5\:00 pm Monday through Friday. 
• May need to work at a computer daily for 8 or more hours at a time.
• Fluctuation in workload may require more than a 40-hour work week.
• May require working with hostile or difficult people.
• May require travel.