AZ STATE LAND DEPARTMENT

Address: 1110 West Washington, Suite 510
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $89,000 - $99,000 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: Open Until Business Needs Are Met

This position is responsible for working under the direction of the Arizona State Land Department's Senior Administrative Counsel in making policy decisions: administrative, programmatic, and procedural. This position will be tasked with developing an in-depth understanding of the statutes and other laws applicable to State Trust land. Responsible for keeping up with changes in laws and recognizing their impact on all land related procedures. This position will review, draft, and facilitate negotiation of contracts or other legal documents and prepare formal comments, making recommendations with respect to all land related transactions as necessary. In addition to providing legal counsel, this position may provide guidance on proposed federal actions, and provide input on other land issues. This position may present to the Legislature the Department's difficulties with proposed legislation or existing laws. This position may propose changes in existing or proposed laws or wording that would make them practicable. Under the direction of the Department's Senior Administrative Counsel, this position responds to inquiries requesting legal input or Attorney General assistance from the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Leadership team.

Under the guidance of the Senior Administrative Counsel this position will also assist with the following:
• Evaluate and resolve sensitive files and issues.
• Perform complex analysis of economic, political and environmental effects on various land transactions.
• Advise the Department regarding the protection of land values and maximizing revenue.
• Make recommendations regarding all sale and lease transactions.
• Create and maintain all legal documents related to the sales and commercial leasing programs.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Review of Department reports, correspondence, contract awards, project proposals, etc., for accuracy and legal sufficiency.
• Perform research and analysis and make recommendations to the Senior Administrative Counsel and the Executive Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Leadership Team on various environmental and administrative issues.
• Under the guidance of the Senior Administrative Counsel, coordinate legal needs with the Office of the Attorney General to assure timely and effective resolution of all legal matters.
• Prepare legal documents necessary to carry forward the agency's compliance and enforcement efforts.
• Coordinate negotiation, drafting, execution and implementation of Development Agreements.
• Apply the principles, theories, and concepts of the Arizona Management System; continually identifying areas for process and quality improvement; adhering to established standard work and procedures.
• All other relevant duties as assigned.
  

KNOWLEDGE
Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of commercial real estate sales, leasing, analysis and disposition. Comprehensive knowledge of real estate values and uses; principles and practices of land use planning and management, and associated laws, rules and regulations; construction, evaluation and execution of leases, easements and sales contracts. Comprehensive knowledge of Agency's objectives, policies and procedures. Considerable knowledge of current local, State and Federal laws, rules, policies, procedures, and principles affecting administrative/public hearings. Considerable knowledge of the rule-making process. Considerable knowledge of the processes of State government, including legislative and executive processes. Considerable knowledge of management techniques and organizational processes. Knowledge of policy development theory. Knowledge of procurement laws and policies. Knowledge of the Attorney General's Office organization and operations. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of legal research and the use of statutes, codes, and other legal resources. Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and principles for writing briefs, opinions, reports and other legal documents.

SKILLS
Skill in conducting comprehensive legal research; drafting complex legal forms, documents and memoranda; skill in developing and maintaining a large volume of document systems. Skill in oral and written communications; skill in analytical processing; skill in formulating and identifying effective solutions to problems, skill in project and time management; comprehensive negotiation skills.

ABILITIES
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with governmental officials, community leaders, and the public; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department customers and constituents; ability to interact with others to explain/defend programs, plans, and regulations; ability to work independently to complete complex projects; ability to identify, analyze and organize a large volume of complex legal issues and documents; ability to interact with the Attorney General's Office, outside counsel, and counsel. Ability to analyze materials, conduct research and write critically. Ability to coordinate the response to requests for public records, and pre-trial discovery requests. Ability to perform legal research. Ability to undertake multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously. Ability to engage in constructive problem solving and build consensus.

A Law Degree (J.D., LI.B, or LLM.) License to practice law in the State of Arizona is required for this position.

This position may require driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
  

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• The current contribution rate is 12.29%
  

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-2629. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.


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Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.