Associate Attorney
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM):
Our mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial, and governmental activities vital to a prosperous economy. We issue air, water, and solid and hazardous waste permits that restrict discharges to environmentally safe levels. Staff members inspect and monitor regulated entities; provide compliance and technical assistance; monitor and assess air, land, and water quality; use enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance; and respond to incidents involving spills to soil or waters of the state.
Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.
Role Overview:
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) seeks an Attorney Associate for its Office of Legal Counsel (OLC).
Essential Responsibilities of the Position:
- Assist IDEM program staff (such as enforcement case managers, permit writers, and remediation project managers) by providing legal advice and representation as necessary.
- Represent IDEM before the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings and serve as a liaison to the Attorney General's Office regarding state and federal court cases. Research legal issues, draft motions and briefs, and coordinate on litigation matters with IDEM program staff.
- Review and revise documents related to enforcement actions for factual accuracy and legal sufficiency. Support IDEM program staff during negotiations of agreements to resolve enforcement matters.
- Review proposed policies, procedures, and administrative rules prior to finalization to ensure they are legally supportable.
Top Three Skills of a Successful Candidate:
- Sound legal analysis: the successful candidate will demonstrate strong critical thinking and an ability to advise the client to take actions that are legally correct and defensible.
- Research and writing: the successful candidate will conduct thorough legal research and present written findings and analysis in a clear and convincing manner.
- Resourcefulness: the successful candidate will independently identify and utilize relevant legal resources as well as human resources, while also demonstrating the ability to collaborate with both attorney and non-attorney colleagues.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 if you have less than 5 years of experience. If you have over 5 years of experience, that salary would start at $85,020.00
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:
- A Doctorate of Jurisprudence;
- Indiana Bar admission with license in good standing, or specific plans to gain admission to the Indiana Bar;
- Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules;
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing;
- Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders;
- Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff;
- Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas;
- May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts;
- Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations;
- May draft and review legislation and administrative rules;
- Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures;
- Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions;
- May recruit, select, onboard, and/or train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development;
- May set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures;
- May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, consider evidence and its admissibility, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence;
- May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations;
- Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation;
- May review pleadings, motions, and discovery;
- May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
