Attorney 1-4

Position: Attorney 1-4 

Agency: Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA)

Division: Executive 

Office Location: 150 Terrace Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 

This position serves as an attorney in the Legal Section of CPRA.  The incumbent provides advanced and specialized legal representation and assistance to all areas of the CPRA in support of its overall mission.  

Responsibilities:

• Prepares, reviews, and negotiates legal documents such as cost share agreements, funding agreements, and memoranda of understanding involving state and federal agencies, with a focus on funding streams like those from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and GOMESA
• Provides legal research, document review, and analysis on complex legal issues, and assists CPRA in litigation, including preparing pleadings, motions, and supporting outside counsel in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals
• Works closely with CPRA executive staff, state and federal agencies, external attorneys, and public/private entities involved in projects, offering guidance on legal, contractual, and procedural issues
• Advises CPRA executive staff, engineers, scientists, and contract counsel on legal matters related to public works construction projects, focusing on the Public Works Act, Public Bid Law, and general construction law
• Provides guidance on the interpretation and application of construction contracts, plans, specifications, and scheduling, as well as issues related to insurance and surety bonds
• Reviews public bid and procurement contracts, ensuring compliance with laws governing the implementation of integrated coastal protection projects by CPRA
• Collaborates with land rights experts and attorneys to address property acquisition, servitude issues, and oil and gas pipeline matters, while researching and analyzing complex land rights and ownership issues, and supporting legal matters related to the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement
• Represents or assists CPRA in legal, legislative, and regulatory proceedings concerning integrated coastal protection and restoration efforts
• Reviews CPRA records, documents, and policies to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines, including those related to contractual instruments

As part of a career progression group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, Attorney 2, Attorney 3, or Attorney 4 depending on the level of experience. The maximum salary for Attorney 4 is $120,453 annually. 

Below are the bi-weekly minimum hire rates established for this position in accordance with CPRA’s Special Entrance Rate Policy:

                Attorney 1                                                           $2,166.40

                Attorney 2                                                          $2,318.40

                Attorney 3                                                           $2,561.60

                Attorney 4                                                           $2,740.80

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.  

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

Official transcripts will be required upon hire.

Louisiana is a State as Model Employer for individuals with disabilities. 

If you have any questions, you may contact:
Rachel Dunbar, Human Resources Supervisor

P.O. Box 44027

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

CPRA.HumanResources@la.gov

Function of Work:
To assist an attorney of higher rank in the preparation of court cases and/or advisory opinions and may litigate and/or prepare advisory opinions in cases of a routine nature.

Level of Work:
Entry.

Supervision Received:
General from a higher ranking attorney, administrative law judge, or other agency administrator/executive.

Supervision Exercised:
None.

Location of Work:
May be used in all agencies.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from Attorney 2 by the level of supervision received and the level of expertise required in the preparation of legal opinions/courts cases assigned or hearings conducted.

ATTORNEY:
Litigates routine cases in trial and appellate courts and before administrative tribunals under the supervision of a higher ranking attorney.

Assists an attorney of higher rank in preparing major or complex cases for trial by drafting pleadings, interviewing witnesses, writing legal memoranda and briefs.

Enters claims for collecting monies due the state.

Assists in preparing proposed legislation.

Drafts tentative rules and regulations and reviews rules, regulations, and bulletins prepared by administrative officers for conformity to the law.

Investigates reports of violations of statutes and administrative rules and regulations.

Prepares advisory opinions for review by a higher ranking attorney.

Prepares or reviews legal documents, including contracts, licenses, deeds, and abstracts.

Researches laws applicable to the above activities.

To conduct hearings and to render decisions.

ATTORNEY--ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES/REFEREES:
Convenes hearings that are of a routine nature; issues subpoenas; administers oaths; hears testimony; considers evidence; examines witnesses; maintains order; rules on motions, objections, admissibility of evidence and procedure; prepares and issues decisions and orders based upon all evidence gathered, research of pertinent statutes, pertinent jurisprudence, and independent assessment of acts based on credibility of witnesses and evidence.

Conducts pre-trial conferences with the attorneys to resolve preliminary issues and narrow the scope of the hearing to the facts actually in dispute.

Determines if there are jurisdictional or procedural issues to be disposed of and if so, decides the most appropriate manner (i.e. a limited hearing, an order to brief the issue, an order to amend the pleadings, a status conference, etc.) to address these issues.

Secures, compiles, and maintains all records of adjudications. Ensures that accurate records are maintained in the proceedings that evidence is properly marked and included in the case record, and that audio recordings are accurately marked and properly indexed and stores.

Conducts a continuous study of the current statues, regulations and case law related to areas of law for which hearings are assigned.