Overview
Junior Associate Attorney – Probate & Estate Planning Jobs in Oxnard, CA at McDonald Coons Law Group
Description
AGRICULTURE – A Cornerstone of Washington’s Economy
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Opportunity
The Director’s office is responsible for the overall operation of the agency and develops and analyzes policies related to issues that involve or affect agricultural stakeholders or agency programs. This position, which reports to the Executive Assistant to the Director, plays a key role in the implementation of department priorities and state policy. This position will also provide support to other members of the policy team through regular proactive engagement, while working independently and proactively to accomplish tasks and projects as assigned.
ln addition, this position will also serve as the agency expert on commodity commissions and administer and provide oversight for the Department’s Commodity Commissions Program (1/2 FTE). The position provides oversight to the state’s 21 commodity commissions and the Commission on Integrated Pest Management. This includes: providing expert advice, consultation, and recommendations regarding complex issues impacting commissions statewide; overseeing the annual approval of commission budgets and plans totaling over 548 million in funds; overseeing the appointment of agency staff to represent the Director on the commissions; carrying out the nomination and election process and appointment of board members for all commissions; providing training on various subjects; acting as agency Rules Coordinator to 20 of the commissions; and acting as liaison between the commissions and various state agencies
Important Notes
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Commerce Specialist 3 position within the Directors Office. This position is located in Olympia, Washington and is non-represented.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: $64,440 – $84,516 annually.
Duties
Some of what you’ll do:
Administer the Commodity Commissions Program by carrying out the Director’s responsibilities specified in chapter 15.65, 15.66, 15.88, 15.89, 15.115, and 43.23 RCW, which includes oversight of the state’s 2l commodity commissions (which under statute are considered state agencies) and the Commission on Integrated Pest Management and serves as the agency expert on commodity commissions.
Provide expert advice, consultation, and recommendations regarding complex and/or unprecedented issues with significant impact to agricultural commissions statewide.
Provide expert advice, consultation, and recommendations to the Director, agency policy staff, communications staff, executive management team, program managers, agency commission representatives, and other agencies and organizations regarding agriculture commissions.
Research and consult with the Office of the Attorney General, Dept. of Enterprise Services, Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources, and the State Auditor’s Office to determine and ensure commissions are meeting state mandated requirements.
Provide expert advice, consultation, and recommendations to diverse groups interested in creating a new commodity commission.
Oversee the Director’s budget review and approval process for the 21 agricultural commodity commissions’ 48-million-dollar combined budget.
Complete assigned legislative bill analyses and fiscal notes for legislation affecting agricultural commissions to analyze impact.
Serve as the designated rules coordinator for 20 of the commodity commissions.
Implement the selection and appointment of agency staff (agency representatives) to represent the Director as members of the agricultural commissions.
Prepare materials, provide training, and conduct an orientation for new agency representatives to ensure they are aware of the Director’s expectations of their appointment and laws and rules affecting the commission.
Coordinate the selection of commission executive director positions by drafting requests for proposals (RFP), uploading the solicitation to Washington Electronic Bidding System (WEBS), acting as RFP coordinator, draft resulting contracts. entering the executed contracts into the state’s contracts management database (ECMS). and managing the contracts on behalf of the commissions.
Collaborate and partner with other WSDA divisions in meeting policy and legislative priorities. This may include participation on internal work groups and/or coordinating high-level meetings.
Monitor activity and proposed changes in state and federal program, laws and rules, in terms of potential impact on the department and the state’s agricultural industry.
Report all potential changes or impacts to assigned policy advisor.
Report to the assigned policy advisor on legislation and issues that affect the department and its stakeholders.
Prepare and communicate the department’s position on assigned legislative issues.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
Seven (7) years of experience in community, trade or economic development which may include fiscal and/or policy work.
OR
Bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of professional experience in community, trade or economic development
In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities would make your application more competitive:
Broad based knowledge of Department of Agriculture programs and the state’s agricultural industry.
General knowledge of policy issues in the area of agriculture and/or natural resources.
Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to research, organize and present varied and complex subjects in an approachable and understandable manner.
Demonstrated high-level research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Experience or knowledge of state legislative and rulemaking processes.
Proficiency in computer applications, including word processing and on-line research.
Hold a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
Skill with collaborative decision-making models.
Policy, Rules, and Legislative Experience- writing, analyzing laws or rules and managing related meetings and reports.
Excellent people and negotiation skills.
Experience with lative and/or contract writing and management.
Supplemental Information
Employee Benefits
A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us atwww.agr.wa.gov.
How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
Current resume detailing experience and education
A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. Applications with comments “see attachments” will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected].
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state’s on-line recruitment system.
Equity at WSDA
The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.
We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at [email protected]. Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran’s Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
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Title: Junior Associate Attorney – Probate & Estate Planning
Company: McDonald Coons Law Group
Location: Oxnard, CA
