Agency Information: Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $65,000 to $75,000/Year
• Hourly Pay Range: $31.25 to $36.06/Hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Application Deadline: June 15, 2023.

This position will be located at the KDA Headquarters Office in Manhattan, Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is accepting applications to fill one Staff Attorney position within our Legal Section. KDA’s purpose is to serve, promote and grow the state’s largest industry. We are an agency that focuses on creating a best-in-state plus workforce that is diligent about innovation and efficiency in our duties and customer service.

The Legal Section assists the various KDA programs as they regulate a wide variety of sectors, including water use, conservation, pesticide, fertilizer, food safety, lodging, weights and measures, plants, hemp, noxious weeds, seeds, dairy, animal health, agricultural promotion and marketing, and meat and poultry inspections. The Legal Section also provides general legal support to the agency.

The open position has previously provided legal support for the Food Safety and Lodging Program and the Weights and Measures Program. Based upon candidate qualifications and interests, opportunities exist to support other KDA programs, including the Division of Water Resources and the Plant Protection Program, which includes the regulation of industrial hemp growers in Kansas.

Based upon candidate qualifications, the opportunity exists to structure these positions to fit the interests of potential candidates.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Preparing orders, pleadings, briefs, and other documents for the enforcement of all laws and regulations for which the agency is responsible, including administrative hearings and state court actions.
• Advising agency programs in carrying out their regulatory duties.
• Drafting administrative rules and regulations and legislation.
• Research, interpret, and apply statutes, court decisions, and other legal authority as required.
• Any other duties as required by the Chief Counsel or senior administration.

** This position has the opportunity to telework per guidelines of the Telework Policy of the Kansas Department of Agriculture KDA after one year of service.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Admission to and membership in good standing with the Bar of the Supreme Court of Kansas or the ability to gain such admission.

Preferred Requirements (Not Required)

• At least one year of practice.
• Knowledge of agricultural and natural resource law, including property law or water law OR knowledge of animal health law.
• Knowledge of administrative law and the development of administrative rules and regulations.
• Experience with litigation and/or administrative hearings.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
  • DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

• Inside your Job Application, upload these documents:
  • Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
  • Cover Letter
  • Writing Sample
  • If applicant has graduated within the last three years, an unofficial transcript should be submitted.

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and Submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

• Instructions:
  • Job Search
  • Registration & User Account
  • Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.