JOB TITLE: ATTORNEY 5, OGC

JOB CODE: 07161

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible administrative and managerial legal work under the authority of the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

An employee in this job serves as a division chief in the legal office of a large agency or as the deputy chief counsel in a smaller agency with a large and active legal office. Work involves directing cases involving significant actions made by the department in state courts, overseeing special litigation involving departmental programs and policies, and supervising the settlement and litigation of all cases within the legal office or division. Work may also include writing and reviewing briefs, proposed statutes, regulations, and policy issuances; and rendering professional legal opinions on the legality of department rules and regulations. Supervision is exercised over professional legal and supervisory staff. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the chief counsel or a supervising attorney, and is reviewed for attainment of goals, objectives, and overall program effectiveness.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Work at this level is distinguished from lower level jobs in the series by the responsibility for serving as division chief in the legal office of a large agency or as the deputy chief counsel in the legal office a smaller agency with significant, specialized, and highly complex issues.

• Work at this level may also involve directing the legal program within a regional office of a large agency where legal problems are significant, specialized, and highly complex.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Develops program-related legislation, amendments to current laws, and modifications to departmental rules and regulations.

• Researches, interprets, and applies statutes, regulations, and case law.

• Advises agency decision-makers on the interpretation of laws and other legal matters.

• Identifies operational issues in the legal office and recommends viable solutions to the chief counsel.

• Represents the agency in highly complex and highly visible litigation before trial and appellate courts and in administrative proceedings.

• Directs staff in drafting new legislation.

• Directs the preparation of briefs and other work associated with litigation and court work.

• Participates in staff conferences to discuss agency policies, regulations, and legal problems.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of common law and state and federal laws regarding general administrative and regulatory functions of state government.

• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.

• Knowledge of the methods and practices of pleading civil and criminal cases.

• Knowledge of effective techniques in the presentation of cases in court.

• Knowledge of the principles of public administration as applied to the administration of a governmental legal program.

• Ability to interpret, analyze, and organize facts, evidence, precedents, and legal documents and instruments.

• Ability to present materials in clear and logical form as briefs, opinions, orders, or decisions.

• Ability to interpret and draft proposed legislation.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Ten years of professional legal experience and graduation from an accredited school of law;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All employees must be certified for admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and must maintain membership on a continuous basis during employment.