Attorney 3,4 - Legal

The Louisiana Department of Education attorneys primarily provide advice and conduct legal research for Department staff.  Attorneys may also represent the Department before administrative and judicial tribunals, make presentations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the legislature and at other public meetings; provide assistance, information and training to Local Education Agencies (LEAs), community resource partners and the public; and perform other duties in the interest of school children in public elementary and secondary education. All attorneys may be assigned duties in various areas of law including: Civil Service, contracts, education funding, elementary and secondary education including general and special education, employment, food and nutrition programs, governmental ethics, procurement, public records, student discipline, teacher assessment and certifications, testing and accountability, transportation and early Learning Center operations. 

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

As an Attorney 3 or 4  in the Legal Division, you will:

Licensing Responsibilities

• In matters pertaining to Early Learning Center licensing, the attorney will represent the Department and acts as liaison in cases where the Department is represented by outside counsel and provides department officials with legal analysis concerning early learning center licensing laws and regulations and program management. 
• Attorney will investigate Department compliance through interviews, document review and other methods, prepares responses for investigative agency: provides additional information as requested by investigative agencies. 
• Obtains, evaluates, organizes, prepares and formally presents documentary and testimonial evidence; identifies, interviews, evaluates and prepares witnesses for deposition, trial and hearing testimony; initiates and responds to discovery; develops and evaluates information and evidence about both the department’s and the opposition’s positions; prepares prehearing motions with supporting memorandum; argues motions and objections; keeps designated agency staff advised as to all case developments.
• Research authority on the positions of the parties with regard to both procedural and substantive legal issues; prepares, files and reviews briefs, motions, and responses to pleadings; prepares and delivers oral argument and keeps designated agency staff advised as to all case developments.
• Evaluates cases for settlement potential and advisability. Proposes and obtains offers and counteroffers and discusses all with the designated staff; participates in settlement negotiations, drafts and finalizes settlement agreements. 
• Maintain Bulletin 137. 

USDA Food and Nutrition Program Responsibilities 

• Represents the LDOE in matters pertaining to various federal nutrition programs funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and controlled by USDA regulations and state regulations.  The Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Nutrition Assistance manages the National School Lunch Program, 7 CFR Part 210; Special Milk Program for Children 7 CFR 215, School Breakfast Program 7 CFR 220, Summit Food Service Program 7 CFR 225 and Child and Adult Care Food Program 7 CFR 226.  These programs are implemented by hundreds of contract providers throughout the state, in both urban and rural areas.  Represents the LDOE in administrative hearings, appeals to the District and Courts of Appeal. 
• Drafts and revises contracts with food program providers. 
• Meets regularly with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Collections Division, to review and make decisions on collections cases for the various nutrition programs. Renders general legal advice to the Division of Nutrition Assistance on the implementation of its USDA programs.

Certification Responsibilities

• Serves as the general support attorney for Educator Certification matters
• Advises on issues pertaining to compliance and dispute resolution
• Addresses and support legal/litigation issues relative to certification as needed
• Maintain Bulletin 746

Hourly: $31.01 – $60.84

Biweekly: $2,480.80 – $4,867.20

Annually: $64,501.00 – $126,547

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. 

* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Louisiana Department of Education – Human Resources

PO Box 94064

Baton Rouge, LA 70804

ldoejobs@la.gov

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.