Senior Attorney Manager, Legal Svcs

Job Vacancy Announcement: Senior Attorney Manager

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

Job Code – LEM021

Pay Grade – O

Expected Hiring Range:  Up to $113,484.78

The Georgia Department of Public Safety oversees the day-to-day operations of the Georgia State Patrol, Capitol Police, and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division.

We currently have a challenging and rewarding opportunity for an attorney manager of the Open Records Unit.  The manager is supported by a deputy manager and reports directly to the Legal Director.  The position is perfect for a candidate with prior management, technology, and litigation experience, who seeks a challenging opportunity to work on a wide variety of questions concerning public safety.  The manager supervises no less than eight analysts for compliance with Georgia law, and directly handles sensitive matters, including complaints, production of personnel records, non-party civil and criminal case materials, and media responses.

Key responsibilities:

• Serves as the attorney manager of the Department’s Open Records Unit.
• Provides verbal and written analysis of work performed by Unit employees.
• Serves as liaison to dedicated technology personnel for joint improvement and addressing issues concerning EPORTS, the online user portal for cataloging and entry of requests, document responses, reimbursement fees, and communicating with requestors.
• Serves to improve training and communications of Unit employees, tracking of requests, and general Unit practices to successfully respond to a high volume of open records requests.
• Serves as a higher, primary source of knowledge of the Georgia Open Records Act as it applies to the Department.
• Provides effective problem-solving practices and skilled communications for handling complicated matters, including issues of first impression and legal questions, and uses professional discretion for elevating sensitive issues to the Legal Director.
• Serves as legal resource for complaints of internal and external customers for the Unit.
• Oversees all aspects of the daily operations of the Open Records Unit.
• Teaches classes at the law enforcement training academy, to administrative personnel, new employees, and non-commissioned officers on a variety of issues that relate to the Open Records Act and responsive Department practices.
• Assists, responds, or reports to the Legal Director concerning issue-spotting and solutions concerning the Unit, Department practices, or responsive documentation.
• Receives, identifies, and accurately responds to non-party discovery requests and litigation subpoenas, while identifying potential problems, timely responsiveness, as well as seeking any necessary guidance and protection afforded by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.
• Maintains knowledge of trends and changes in laws and court decisions related to the Open Records Act and the mission of the Department.

Required Personal Characteristics:

• Excellent management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent legal skills (analysis, research, and problem solving)
• High level of self-motivation
• Excellent time-management skills
• Ability to teach classes to non-lawyers
• Ability to effectively plan, coordinate, and prioritize multiple projects to meet established deadlines
• Ability to effectively interact and provide support and guidance to agency leaders
• High integrity and honesty
• Strong commitment to providing superior customer service to both internal and external customers
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion
• Positive attitude and a high-level of personal commitment 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia
• Familiarity with state government structure and operations
• Two years of experience in one or more areas:  criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, administrative hearings, management of more than five employees, representation of government agency

Only applicants chosen for interview will be contacted.

This is an unclassified position unless filled by a classified employee.  

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.