Position Announcement
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Wyoming Judicial Branch Position Announcement Job Title: Chief Legal Officer Location: Wyoming Supreme Court Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000 annually Closing Date: Open until Filled. Applications received by March 18, 2021 will receive full consideration. The Wyoming Supreme Court located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, seeks to hire a Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to provide legal and policy assistance to the members of the Judicial Branch and further the initiatives of the Court, the Administrative Office of the Court (AOC), and the circuit, district, and chancery courts throughout the state. Information about the Court and Community The Wyoming Supreme Court (Court) is the final arbiter of cases that arise under state law. Its decisions are final except for cases that involve a question of federal law, which can be appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The AOC assists the Wyoming Judicial Branch (Branch) in fulfilling its constitutional and statutory functions by providing administrative, technical, financial, payroll, auditing and human resources support to over 300 employees. Our goal is to provide services in an accurate, timely, efficient, and equitable manner. Our offices are in Cheyenne, Wyoming which is home to Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Cheyenne, the capitol of Wyoming, is a growing metropolitan area which thrives on its Western heritage. Information about the Benefits Package In addition to an annual salary, employees of the Wyoming Judicial Branch receive a generous benefits package to include the State of Wyoming retirement pension plan and 457 Deferred Comp plan; affordable health insurance package including health, dental, life, vision, STD, LTD, long term care, ambulance coverage, and Employee Assistance Program; paid annual, sick and holiday leave, and much more. Information about the Position This position is responsible for managing the Legal Resources Division and providing legal expertise to the Branch. Supervisory responsibility: The Chief Legal Officer supervises three (3) Legal Resources Division staff. This position is responsible for professional development opportunities for staff, dispute resolution, mentoring, training, and making decisions regarding hiring, termination, and corrective action. This position is a member of the AOC leadership team and is responsible for implementing rules, policies and procedures set forth by the Court. Job duties include the following: • Participate in weekly leadership team and meetings with Justices of the Supreme Court. • Research and provide legal analysis and recommendations on complex legal issues in the form of legal memoranda or informal communication. • Draft and negotiate complex information technology contracts. Draft contracts for various goods and services for the Judicial Branch. Discuss non-conforming contract terms with the Attorney General's Office. • Staff various committees as needed, including drafting agendas, gathering materials, providing information to the committees to assist them in making informed decisions. Provide informational updates to boards and committees on projects as needed. Outreach to committee members to answer questions, schedule meetings, etc. • Attend circuit and district court conferences as requested to provide training and assist with logistics of meetings. • Research and provide recommended solutions to administrative issues as they arise. • Build relationships with staff, clerks, judges, judicial assistants, and justices. Outreach to other state agencies, attorneys, and the public. • Respond to high volumes of email questions from Judicial Branch employees on a wide variety of legal issues. • Perform complex and novel special assignments from justices and state court administrator. • Draft legislation. Attend and testify at legislative committee meetings, as requested. • Draft amendments to court rules. Alert committee chairs when a rule issue arises and assist with remedying the problem. Attend rules committee meetings as needed. • Assist with management of the library. Provide possible solutions for various issues that arise regarding library management. Meet with library staff as needed. Assist the State Law Librarian with legal research and crafting responses to legal research requests. • Staff Judicial Education Committee. Work with committee chair to plan annual judicial conference and schedule speakers for court conferences. Organize and schedule judicial orientations. Work with conference presidents and AOC staff to schedule speakers at individual court conferences as requested. Approve continuing judicial education (CJE) credit annually as required by Rules for Continuing Judicial Education. • Administer court interpreter program. • Assist Applications Division within the AOC with policy and legal questions that arise related to the case management system, jury management system, public access system, and electronic filing system. • Maintain a working knowledge of the Judicial Branch statistical model, including any proposed or recommended changes, and train clerks of court on entry of data to ensure accurate statistical reports. • Provide legal assistance with human resources issues as they arise. This position requires an ability to: • Learn Judicial Branch software applications and systems. • Research, evaluate, and prepare legal memoranda. • Manage large projects. • Organize, implement, and maintain a variety of projects and functions simultaneously. • Research information and compile data. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, other agencies, and the public. • Discreetly keep or use confidential information. • Communicate honestly and effectively including defending unpopular decisions. • Persuade people of the advisability of undertaking controversial or difficult actions. • Negotiate impasses or difficult problems and facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict. • Explain reasons for actions and creatively resolve difficult problems. • Make objective and, at times, unpopular decisions based on court interests, law, policy, and rule. • Work in a team environment and establish and maintain effective and positive relationships with others. • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and documentation. • Think "big picture" on issues affecting the Judicial Branch. • Train large groups of learners. • Travel to include overnight stays. This position requires skills in: • Excellent inter-personal skills. • Excellent time management skills. • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Excellent legal writing skills. • Excellent organization skills. This position involves knowledge of: • Contracts and Wyoming and federal law as it applies to contracts. • Wyoming and federal law as it applies to courts and legal issues that may arise in the administration of the courts. Physical Demands: This position requires mobility to work in a typical office setting. The applicant must have the ability to: • Use standard office equipment. • Sit at a desk for prolonged periods and work on a computer. • Stand and/or walk occasionally to frequently. • Read printed materials and computer screens. • Communicate in person or over the phone. • Lift up to 30 pounds at times. • Travel. Information about the qualifications and terms Qualifications: Education: Juris Doctor and be admitted to practice law in Wyoming. Work Experience: 5-7 years’ work experience as a practicing attorney or law clerk. At least one year of supervisory experience. Terms: Employment is “at will.” FLSA: Exempt. The Wyoming Supreme Court is a State of Wyoming employer. Applications. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and completed Branch application for consideration. Click here to complete the application process on-line. The Branch also accepts email and mail submissions. Please use the downloadable application and return the completed form along with a cover letter and resume to Wyoming Supreme Court, Attn: Human Resources Manager, 2301 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002; or via email to [email protected]. Veterans. If you are a United States Armed Forces veteran, or the spouse of a veteran who was married to that veteran at the time of that person's death and receive survivor benefits, to receive veteran's preference under Wyo. Stat. Section 19-14-102, you must complete the Veteran's Preference section of the Wyoming Judicial Branch At-Will Employment Application and attach a Form DD214 to the application. EEO/ADA. The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. .