Special Projects Attorney

The Human Rights Commission is an executive branch agency within the State of Alaska, Office of the Governor, established under the Alaska Human Rights Law, AS 18.80.   The Commission is seeking a Special Projects Attorney I/II/III to:

Serve as the outreach coordinator

Serve as the training coordinator

Undertake special legal research projects and other legal tasks assigned by the executive director

Assist the Hearing Unit in preparing and presenting discrimination cases at public hearings, conduct reviews of investigative files and make recommendations regarding the sufficiency of the evidence in investigations

Conciliate resolutions to complaints in which the Commission has found substantial evidence of discrimination.

This position requires well developed legal research and writing skills, negotiation and analytical skills, a high degree of professionalism and organization, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

As the outreach coordinator, the position will be responsible for the agency’s social media presence, creating and updating agency publications such as legal guidance documents, maintaining the agency’s outreach booth displays, alerting the executive director to outreach opportunities, engaging with the public, issue-spotting for potential civil rights violations, creating and maintaining thoughtful and engaging PowerPoint presentations, and extensive public speaking. The applicant will be reviewed on marketing skills and knowledge of how to engage using social media. Outreach requires regular travel and work outside of regular state business hours to include evenings and weekends.

As the training coordinator, the position will be responsible for creating and maintaining training materials such as handouts and PowerPoint presentations, as well as recommending regulatory changes related to training. The position will be required to conduct regular public “brown bag” trainings in person and/or using Zoom about relevant topics to be developed in consultation with the executive director, reviewing third-party training materials for Commission approval, and conducting remedial trainings for respondents.

As a Hearing Unit attorney the position will assist the Hearing Unit with reviewing and preparing discrimination cases for trial, including all aspects of civil litigation. If the incumbent has or obtains admission to the Alaska Bar, the position will maintain a small caseload. The position will be tasked with researching and preparing memos to the supervising attorney and the executive director when specific legal questions arise while investigating and litigating cases.

The position will also have special projects as assigned by the executive director. This may include legal research and writing projects, non-legal research tasks that are Commission priorities, and other delegated administrative research and writing projects.