STAFF ATTORNEY III

Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

To be responsible for: 

• Coordination of the Ethics Commission’s education program (creating and presenting ethics seminars and trainings to small and large groups; designing and administering online training modules; drafting written training materials).
• Drafting advisory opinions, regulations, legal memoranda, and various reports to assist in the Commission’s administration and mission.
• Prosecution of complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics (overseeing investigations; preparing pleadings and briefs; appearances before Ethics Commission for hearings).
• Representing Ethics Commission from time to time in litigation matters before Superior and Supreme Court.
• Frequent interactions with members of the public, the press, and public officials concerning the requirements of the Code of Ethics and the workings of the Ethics Commission. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the supervision of the Executive Director/Chief Prosecutor and, as needed, the Senior Staff Attorney.  However, employee must be capable of self-direction and be comfortable working independently to accomplish the objectives of the Ethics Commission. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

No regular supervision exercised, although the Staff Attorney III must be comfortable working with and directing investigative and administrative staff relative to supporting the education program, investigations, complaints, and

special projects.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Prepare and present Code of Ethics trainings and seminars to large and small groups of public officials and employees.
• Identifying and utilizing online training programs and software to design, develop, and administer online ethics training.
• Legal research and drafting the following types of documents:
  • Advisory Opinions;
  • Correspondence with public officials;
  • Commission regulations;
  • Legal memoranda;
  • Annual reports and other special reports;
  • Legal notices;
  • Investigative Reports;
  • Motions.
• Appearances before the Ethics Commission at public meetings relative to advisory opinions, special reports, and complaint matters.
• Conduct adjudications (administrative trials) before the Ethics Commission.
• Appeals of Ethics Commission Decisions & Orders before Rhode Island Superior and Supreme Courts, as needed.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, respond to press inquiries.
• Compiling data and statistics relative to various activities and functions of the Commission for use as performance measures.
• Performing related tasks as requested by the Executive Director or Ethics Commission.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES:

The successful candidate will be expected to quickly become an expert in all aspects of the Code of Ethics and Ethics Commission procedures, and to be knowledgeable in all aspects of administrative law and the Administrative Procedures Act; and

Must be a strong and engaging public speaker, capable of holding the attention of small and large groups while explaining complex provisions of the Code of Ethics through use of examples, hypotheticals, and responding to spontaneous audience questions;

Must have practice experience in administrative, civil, or criminal litigation, including the rules of practice, civil procedure, and evidence; and

Must possess superior legal writing skills, such as may have been gained through experience writing or editing for a law review or other publication, in a judicial clerkship, or through other training and experience. This position requires considerable legal writing with strict attention to detail and excellence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education and Experience:  J.D. required, and must be a current member in good standing of the Rhode Island bar. 

Experience such as may have been gained through the practice of law before administrative agencies, state courts and/or federal courts, and educational experience as may have been gained through teaching, providing workshops, trainings or seminars, or equivalent instruction.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The Ethics Commission is an independent, non-partisan entity and its employees are prohibited from holding public office or participating in political campaigns pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-8(f). 

The successful candidate must also be a person who is guided by, and committed to, principles of honesty and integrity.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

All applications must include a cover letter/letter of interest, resume, and a recent writing sample. 

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
 

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.