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Job Description
Announcement Number: 1785938365
704 W. Nye Lane, Suite 204
Carson City, Nevada 89703
(775) 687-5469
• Fax (775) 687-1279
http://ethics.nv.gov
UNCLASSIFIED JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
POSTED - MARCH 30, 2023
Senior Legal Researcher
(Carson City)
Recruitment Open To:
This is an open competitive recruitment, open to all qualified applicants. The position is an
unclassified, exempt, at-will position, which is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the
Executive Director.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Nevada Commission on Ethics provides confidential advisory opinions to public officers and
employees and responds to complaints from the public alleging violations of the Ethics in
Government Law (NRS Chapter 281A) by public officers and public employees. The Commission
also engages in outreach and education to the entire State, providing its services to all State entities
as well as counties, cities, and other political subdivisions throughout Nevada.
APPROXIMATE ANNUAL SALARY AND Benefits:
Up to $63,973 plus benefits.1 Salary range reflects retirement (PERS) contributions by both the
employee and employer.
Position Location:
The Commission's office is located in Carson City, Nevada. Travel for Commission meetings is
required. A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is required at the time of
appointment and as a condition of continued employment.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This is a paralegal or equivalent position with detailed job duties provided below:
1 The Governor's proposed budget for the 2024/2025 recommends an 8 percent cost of living increase effective July 1,
2023, and an additional 4 percent cost of living increase effective July 1, 2024. These proposed increases are subject to
review, modification, and approval of the 2023 Nevada Legislature. JOB DUTIES:
This position serves as the sole legal/administrative/paralegal support staff to the Commission
Counsel, Executive Director and Associate Counsel, primarily responsible for performing legal
research in all matters assigned and reporting findings in written memoranda. This position
develops, organizes and manages case files, deadlines, notices, correspondence and performs
analysis as directed, providing significant administrative support to the agency.
Requests for Case Management- Create and manage complaint case files (physical and
electronic); prepare Notice to Subject addressing allegations; prepare Waiver of statutory
timelines form; develop Letter of Notice to Requester; serve notices via electronic service or
certified mail; maintain pre-Panel calendars; assist Executive Director/Associate Counsel with
investigation, as directed; assist Associate Counsel to prepare Stipulation documents and/or
prepare for Panel Hearing, including notices of stipulation hearings; if case goes to Hearing,
assist Commission Counsel with Notice of Hearing and Scheduling Order ("NOHSO"), and
service of same. Prepare/serve amended orders as necessary; calendar Scheduling Order
dates, remove from calendar as resolved; assist with Hearing preparation.
Legal Research- Perform substantive legal research for any Commission-related matter at the
direction of Commission Counsel, Executive Director or Associate Counsel, including, without
limitation, research of statutes, regulations, cases and Commission precedent on the state,
federal and local levels; review secondary or related administrative resources for relevant
research; Shepardize case law to confirm validity of case law.
Commission Meetings/Hearings- Serve as back-up to Executive Assistant to schedule meeting
rooms for Commission hearings, coordinate and confirm Court Reporter, changes to meeting
rooms, video teleconference, internet feed, call-in info, tentative schedule, sign in sheets etc.;
serve as back-up for Executive Assistant to prepare and amend agendas with input from
Executive Director and Commission Counsel; post to required locations; file confirmed posting
forms; prepare and assist with Commission meeting books/packets, including arranging for
distribution via email, FedEx and Reno Carson Messenger as needed; assist as back-up for
Executive Director to prepare electronic Commissioner/Public meeting book for
Commissioners who request the same; attend and provide assistance at Commission
meetings as needed, assist with monitoring Internet feed and hearing room for confidential
closed sessions, assist public and individuals appearing before the Commission.
Public Record Keeping- Assist in collecting and evaluating documents for Public Records
Requests; coordinate office calendars (Outlook and hard copy) for legal deadlines and other
appointments of Commission Counsel and Associate Counsel.
Commission Opinions- Prepare Opinion templates; prepare factual and public information for initial
Opinion drafts; verify and document any waivers of confidentiality; compare draft opinions to
hearing transcripts for accuracy; assist to finalize and publish Opinions; develop approaches
and initiate drafts of Opinion abstracts and digests.
Litigation- Create and maintain litigation files/e-files and calendars; develop templates and formatting
for motions and briefs; research relevant statutes and cases; conform pleadings to relevant
court rules; check citations and Shepardize briefs, assist with finalizing pleadings; arrange for
filing and service of pleadings; monitor dockets and obtain copies of filed pleadings; calendar
deadlines and provide reminders to Commission Counsel.
Regulations/Legislation- Track proposed regulations and legislation affecting Commission; calendar
committee meetings and hearings; facilitate scheduling and notices to amend or adopt
regulations; create and maintain files for each tracked proposal; compile and maintain
legislative history concerning NRS 281A; monitor related proposed regulations and legislation
affecting Commission.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree or certification from a recognized, accredited paralegal program and the
equivalent of 3 years of experience as a paralegal in the private or governmental sector, with
experience in managing legal cases, legal research, court/administrative filing requirements and
document preparation, including preparation of pleadings and other documents filed in
administrative proceedings and/or courts.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES- Knowledge of substantive, procedural and evidentiary
laws to analyze legal questions; ability to prepare legal documents, review written material and
provide input to Commission Counsel, Associate Counsel and Senior Investigator; attention to
detail; outstanding organizational and administrative skills, proficiency in online legal research
(Lexis); experience reading, analyzing and applying facts to case law and statutes; investigatory
ability; business communication, writing and proofreading skills including grammar and spelling;
professional demeanor; excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Lexis, Internet);
independent, reliable, and high ethical standards.
Resumes Will Be Accepted Until: This recruitment will remain open until filled and may
close at any time based on the number of applications received. Qualified applicants are
encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
TO APPLY:
Submit the following:
1) LETTER OF INTEREST
2) RESUME
3) THREE PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES, including their names and daytime
telephone numbers, as well as a brief description of your relationship; and
*In your cover letter please indicate how you heard about the position. If you heard about this
position through a website, please specify which website.
Submit to:
Ross Armstrong
Executive Director
Nevada Commission on Ethics
Via email: rarmstrong@ethics.nv.gov
The State of Nevada is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action in recruitment of its
employees and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information
(GINA), or compensation and/or wages.
Closing Date/Time: Until recruitment needs are satisfied -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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State of Nevada
Show moreThe presence of Nevada's earliest inhabitants, beginning about 12,400 years ago, is marked by many petroglyphs and archaeological sites. Baskets, decoys, and ingenious traps are evidence of the resourcefulness of these early people in a harsh and arid environment.
European explorers traveled through Nevada in the early 19th century, but it was not until 1851 that the first settlements were established. An Act of Congress created the Territory of Nevada on March 2, 1861. James W. Nye of New York was appointed Nevada's first Territorial Governor by President Abraham Lincoln later that year. On October 31, 1864, President Lincoln proclaimed Nevada's admission to the Union as the 36th state. The State's first elected Governor, Henry Blasdel, took office on December 5, 1864.
Today, Nevada is the nation's seventh largest state in land area. Several hundred mountain ranges cross its landscape, many with elevations over 10,000 feet. In contrast, the State's lowest point (along the Colorado River) is only 470 feet above sea level. From majestic mountains to desert valleys, nature has endowed Nevada with diverse and unique ecosystems.
The Nevada Legislature has honored the State's natural resources and cultural heritage with a variety of State designations described below.
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