Job Description

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

The Department of Commerce participates in the E-Verify program.

Agency Information:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

The Kansas Department of Commerce administers the KANSAS WORKS workforce system, which links businesses, job seekers, educational institutions and training providers to ensure the state’s workforce is equipped to meet industry needs.

Learn more at kansascommerce.gov

About the Position

Position Description

Who can apply: All

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Job Posting closes: January 7, 2026

Compensation: $95,000.00 to $99,040.00 annually

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The attorney provides legal counsel and support to agency leadership, divisions, and staff by identifying and analyzing legal and policy issues, conducting legal research, and preparing clear, well-reasoned memoranda and briefs. Reviews agency correspondence, policies, manuals, and proposed regulations for compliance with state and federal law, including WIOA and related regulations. Advises on legal risks, options, and outcomes to ensure agency operations comply with applicable laws. Evaluates legal and factual claims in administrative and judicial matters, represents the agency in hearings and proceedings, and participates in meetings, depositions, and trials as required.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Receives oral or written questions from other divisions working groups and employees of the agency or receives oral or written assignments from the Chief Counsel.
• Identifies the legal and/or policy issues which are involved in the questions or assignments.
• Exercises sound legal reasoning to organize, analyze and summarize legal research. Prepares and clearly communicates memoranda or briefs which identify the legal and/or policy issues involved, the legal authorities pertinent to the legal and/or policy issues involved and where appropriate, the possible courses of action that might be taken and the possible results from each possible course of action.
• Reads, analyzes and evaluates agency letters and interoffice memos, policy statements, personnel and program manuals and proposed administrative regulations for compliance with current law, legal authority, legal reasoning and legal implications.
• Provides legal counsel to various Divisions, Staff, agency administrative officials and field personnel to assure that Commerce and its operating unites perform their respective duties in accordance with the law and also to aid in compliance with state laws, federal laws, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other pertinent federal laws and regulations.
• Researches and drafts agency letters and interoffice memos, policy statements, personnel and program manuals and administrative regulations which comport with current federal and state law.
• Reads, analyzes and evaluates the legal and factual claims raised in letters, motions, discovery, memoranda, briefs, pleadings, KJRA hearings appellate briefs delivered to the agency by opposing parties.
• Researches and drafts letters, motions, discovery, memoranda, briefs, pleadings and appellate briefs.
• Travels to, attends and actively participates in meetings, depositions, hearings and trials.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. Degree from an accredited law school.
• Certification of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Kansas.
• Complex work experience in licensed law practice

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at .

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at [email protected]

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Angie Krahe

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 785.291.3568

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson Street; Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete.

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov : “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

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