Civil Rights Attorney Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) is seeking a driven Attorney to join our Office of General Counsel as the Deputy General Counsel. The ideal candidate will put forth a perfect effort, operate with integrity, and support the Director and Deputy Directors as we reimagine corrections. The Deputy General Counsel, under the direction of the General Counsel, provides strategic legal counsel to the Agency on a variety of complex, high-profile subjects and is a senior manager within the Office of General Counsel, providing oversight, guidance, and direction to administrative and professional staff in the Public Records Unit and Appeals Unit.

- Serves as a trusted legal and operations advisor to Agency divisions and executive leadership
- Identifies, assesses, and helps to mitigate legal and operational risks across Agency divisions
- Develops, revises, and implements policies, procedures, and internal guidance to support compliance and operations
- Manages the Subpoena & Public Records Unit, a team of administrative staff responsible for responding to public records requests and subpoenas
- Manages the Appeals Unit, a team of administrative staff responsible for responding to inmate disciplinary and grievance appeals
- Assists with dispute management, claims, and litigation in coordination with outside counsel
- Assists with negotiation and preparation of diverse contracts and intergovernmental agreements
- Requires up-to-date legal knowledge and ability to ensure responses are complete and accurate legally and procedurally
- Drives on State business
- Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge of:
- State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations governing ADCRR's operations, including but not limited to employment, contract, administrative, criminal, health, data privacy, and corrections law
- 42 U.S.C. $ 1983 and related civil rights provisions
- Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA)
- Public records law and litigation
- All phases of administrative proceedings and civil litigation
- Personnel management
Skill in:
- Analyzing and solving complex legal issues and problems
- Drafting and preparing complex and sensitive documents, including but not limited to legal opinions, reports, affidavits, motions, discovery, and declarations
- Senior-level oral and written communications and strong interpersonal skills in one-on-one interactions as well as large groups
- Complex negotiations
- Effectively collaborating with individuals in positions at all levels
- Conflict management and resolution
- Organizational skills to coordinate and keep on target multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Complex analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making
Ability to:
- Identify and propose solutions to complex legal, operational, and programmatic issues
-Prepare complex and sensitive correspondence
- Present legal positions clearly and logically in written and oral form
- Effectively lead, motivate, and develop staff to achieve program goals and strategies and improve operations

- At least three (3) years of experience combined in the following areas: corrections law, criminal law, civil rights law, health law, or prior experience representing state or federal agencies or other large organizations

Juris Doctorate Degree from an Accredited Law School
Must obtain a current license to practice law in the state of Arizona within 4 months of hiring (if applicable) AND must maintain a valid and in good standing license to practice law in the state of Arizona as a condition of employment
Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation.
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then 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).
In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

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

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:
- Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
- Exceptional retirement program
- Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
- An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave 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). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

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) 255-2430. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.