DCR #24-371: Anti-Discrimination Legal Specialist (Affirmative Enforcement) Newark at New Jersey Attorney General's Office

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office is looking for Legal Specialists to join the Division on Civil Rights, Affirmative Enforcement Unit.  The position can be based in Trenton, Cherry Hill, Newark, or Atlantic City, NJ - applicants must indicate their location preference when applying.  The annual salary for this position will be $115,000.00.  Salary is non-negotiable.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Attorney General has broad oversight of the state’s legal and law enforcement matters. As the head of the Department of Law & Public Safety, the Attorney General supervises a wide range of Divisions, Offices, and Commissions, consisting of over 2,800 sworn law enforcement officers, 600 attorneys, and thousands of other public servants.

ABOUT THE DIVISION:

The N.J. Division on Civil Rights (DCR) is charged with enforcing the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), New Jersey Family Leave Act (FLA), and Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA) and preventing and eliminating discrimination and bias-based harassment in New Jersey. The Policy Unit drafts guidance documents and regulations, drafts and advises on legislation, and issues policy reports on issues impacting the civil rights of NJ residents.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Under limited supervision of the Deputy Chief Legal Specialist, Director and Deputy Director of DCR, the Legal Specialist will:

• Initiate, develop, and carry out proactive investigations and enforcement actions to protect the civil rights of all New Jersey residents.
• Be responsible for selecting, planning, and conducting investigations to assess possible violations of the Law Against Discrimination, Fair Chance in Housing Act, New Jersey Family Leave Act, or other civil rights statutes.
• Conduct legal and factual research, interviewing witnesses, analyzing data and evidence, and making recommendations as to how and whether to bring affirmative enforcement litigation; drafting administrative complaints, and preparing and reviewing memoranda and legal briefs.
• Prepare and respond to discovery requests, conducting extensive document review, identifying and working with expert witnesses, preparing witnesses, and participating in depositions; preparing for and participating in settlement negotiations, and preparing and negotiating the terms of proposed consent decrees and settlements; monitoring and enforcing compliance with judgments, settlement agreements and consent decrees
• Review and recommend litigation for intervention or amicus participation;
• Work with Deputy Attorneys General in the Division of Law on director-initiated investigations;
• Work with investigators to develop and coordinate affirmative civil rights investigations;
• Coordinate as necessary in the execution of the above duties with other local, state and federal agencies and partners;
• Perform other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor (J.D.) or a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) degree. Transcripts are required to verify degree possession.
• OR - Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree including three (3) years of experience involving legal or legislative research, drafting of rules, regulations, amendments, and/or the interpretation of statutes.

OTHER KEY FACTORS:

• All offers of employment are conditional subject to the applicant agreeing to and then passing a background check that may include fingerprinting.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated experience in civil litigation and case investigations; a strong knowledge of, commitment to, and experience in civil rights laws enforced by the Division and/or other federal and state civil rights’ laws; a strong commitment to a New Jersey free of discrimination; excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing; an ability to lead, plan, organize, and direct timely and effective outcomes; and an ability to analyze complex legal problems and implement effective solutions.
• This position may also require non-traditional work hours, on an as needed basis, including evenings and weekends on short deadlines for certain assignments, with or without advance notice.

BENEFITS:

• Paid Leave Time
• Paid State Holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision and Prescription Benefits
• Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
• Telework may be available

HOW TO APPLY:

If qualified, please submit a cover letter indicating interest in job vacancy announcement #24-371, a current resume and a copy of your final unofficial transcripts and/or foreign degree evaluation (for education credit), to the Recruitment Coordinator via email at jobs@njoag.gov on or before the closing date of October 25, 2024.

For more information, please visit https://www.njoag.gov/careers/all-job-postings/