Legal Analysis Specialist

Job Vacancy Announcement: Legal Analysis Specialist 1, 2, or 3

Location: Georgia Department of Public Safety Headquarters – Atlanta (Fulton County)

Job Code – LEP040, LEP041, or LEP042

Pay Grade – corresponding J, K, or L

Salary Range – $42,000.00 to $81,720.00 annually, depending on qualifications 

The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) oversees the day-to-day operations of the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Capitol Police, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE). DPS is a state agency with employees statewide. We currently have a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a Legal Analysis Specialist, with the position within the DPS Legal Division, and located at the DPS Headquarters in Atlanta.

The Legal Division assists the Commissioner and the Department’s statewide employees on matters associated with the daily operations of the Department.  The Legal Division also serves as the primary liaison with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) and the Risk Management Services of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS/RMS) for liability matters. The Legal Analysis Specialist reports to the Legal Director.

This position is perfect for candidates who seek a challenging opportunity to work on a wide variety of issues that impact public safety.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Performs job responsibilities with minimal supervision.
2. Serves as job expert and resource in assigned areas.
3. Primary point of contact, analyst, and responder for civil litigation and claims against the Department:
   1. Serves as a designated recipient of service of process for the Department and analyzes/determines the validity of service prior to acceptance.
   2. Communicates with DOAS/RMS and AGO for tender of lawsuits, ante-litem notices, and claims.
   3. Serves as the Department’s designated employee resource and handles notices of civil claims, receipt of lawsuits, requests for preservation of evidence, draft of discovery responses, requests for representation, and coordination of witnesses for civil litigation depositions, hearings, and trial. 
   4. For questions and requests from DOAS/RMS - analyzes and determines internal document holders, gathers facts and materials, follows up for sufficiency and completeness, and timely prepares and tenders dedicated responses.
   5. For questions and requests to and from AGO - receives, coordinates, diaries, and tenders civil lawsuits, requests for admissions, interrogatories, requests for production of documents and questions from the AGO, timely analyzes, determines, communicates, and coordinates with internal sources for thorough and sifting responses, analyzes viable objections, and prepares drafts responses for final review by the Legal Director prior to submission to the AGO.
   6. Calls or contacts witnesses, administrators, and attorneys, as needed.
   7. Creates and maintains good working relationships and communications with internal document holders and external recipients.
   8. Compiles, organizes, and manages Legal Division case files.
   9. Tracks claim and litigation data and maintains databases.
4. Processes legal requests for records restrictions, expungements, and sealed documents.
5. Compiles and maintains the Department’s contracts and assists with the contracting function.
6. Assists with the review, analysis and summaries of new legislation for providing internal information on matters impacting the Department’s law enforcement function.
7. Responds to outside inquiries as authorized.
8. Conducts legal research, analyzes and identifies recent court decisions for monthly publication of the Division’s Legal Review.
9. Provides administrative assistance as requested.

Required Personal Characteristics:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to effectively plan and prioritize multiple assignments to meet established deadlines.
• High integrity and honesty.
• Strong commitment to providing superior interactions with Department employees and external sources.
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion.
• Positive attitude and a high level of personal commitment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum for LEP040: High school diploma/GED and completion of 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours in criminal justice or related field and three (3) years of experience in the related area.

Minimum for LEP041: High school diploma/GED and completion of 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours in criminal justice or related field and four (4) years of experience in the related area; or one (1) year of experience required at the lower-level Legal Analysis Spe 1 (LEP040) or position equivalent.

Minimum for LEP042: High school diploma/GED and completion of 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours in criminal justice or related field and six (6) years of experience in the related area; or two (2) years of experience required at the lower-level Legal Analysis Spe 2 (LEP041) or position equivalent.

Note: an equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Two or more years of experience in a legal setting in state government.
2. Experience working with multiple departments/units to accomplish a specific task.

This is an unclassified position unless filled by a classified employee. Only applicants chosen for interview will be contacted. 

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employees and applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, natural origin, age, disability or genetic information.