Deputy General Counsel - Legal

Job Posting Title

Deputy General Counsel - Legal

Agency

695 OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION

Supervisory Organization

Executive

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Job Description

Deputy General Counsel - Legal

Salary - $150,000

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT HERE!

TRANSPARENCY. FAIRNESS. COMPLIANCE. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is committed to leading Oklahoma with unparalleled customer service. Our mission is to promote tax compliance through serving taxpayers with transparency and fairness in administration of the tax code and unparalleled customer service. Check out our About Us page to learn why we are passionate about tax compliance and believe it is the career for you!

There are perks to working for the OTC. We know that benefits matter, and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees:

• Generous state-paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations. 
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• A Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of paid vacation and 15 days of sick leave for full-time employees the first year.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Paid Maternity leave for eligible employees.
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and venders.
• A Longevity Bonus for years of service.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the General Counsel or other executive members of the agency, the Deputy General Counsel (DGC) provides legal counsel to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.  This work includes managing and supervising the Legal Division, as well as overseeing specific legal functions like litigation, contract review, department policies, open records requests, ad valorem, bankruptcy, collection cases, among others.  DGCs assist the General Counsel in developing legal strategy and policy for the agency.  

This position supervises attorneys and staff of the Legal Division, as assigned.  The DGC will receive limited supervision, is given considerable freedom from technical and administrative oversight, and has a substantial amount of responsibility in planning and organizing his or her own work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Reports directly to the General Counsel

·         Serves as General Counsel in the absence of the General Counsel

·         Supervises attorneys, including oversight of their cases involving litigation of the collection of state taxes before administrative, district, appellate, and federal courts

·         Supervises support staff, including oversight of management decisions, processes, and resources

·         Assists in the planning, organizing, supervision, direction, and coordination of the division including the activities of administrative staff and attorneys

·         Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance to the agency concerning issues large in scope, complexity, and urgency

·         Exercises responsibility for the development, preparation, and presentation of cases before administrative, state, federal, and appellate courts

·         Analyzes complex factual and legal issues and prepares legal opinions, memorandums of facts and law, and other legal documents concerning same

·         Provides legal advice and assistance on issues concerning employment, discipline, and other personnel matters

·         Actively participates in the interview process for division positions, including the review of potential candidates and determining staffing and hiring recommendations

·         Interprets existing contracts and provides legal advice and counsel regarding all aspects of contract transactions

·         Evaluates proposed legislation and makes recommendations for agency action in response thereto

·         Performs legal research and reports findings and conclusions

·         Advises on law, regulations, and opinions of the courts and those of the Attorney General; prepares or directs the preparation of interpretations outlining facts and the applicable legal, administrative or executive decisions

·         Advises on questions of law or administrative policy involved in the operation of the agency and its contacts with industry, private or professional associations, state federal, or local government, and the general public

·         Collaborates with external legal counsel, internal agency divisions or department, and other state agencies to ensure the organization's legal needs are met effectively and efficiently

·         Supports other OTC attorneys as needed

COMPLEXITY OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive Knowledge of

·         Supervisory practices and principles

·         Applicable state and federal tax laws

·         Applicable state administrative code regulations

·         Constitutional law and the Oklahoma constitution

·         Agency policies and procedures

·         Trial and hearing procedures

·         Rules of evidence

·         Methods and techniques for conducting legal research

·         Legal principles and their application

Strong Skills in:

·         Leadership, including the ability to mentor Senior Assistant General Counsels and Assistant General Counsels

·         Strategic Planning

·         Critical thinking

·         Directing and performing difficult legal research

·         Written and oral communication

·         Microsoft Office

·         Attention to detail

·         Sound judgment

·         Decision making

·         Case preparation

Ability to:

·         Supervise and manage personnel to achieve positive outcomes

·         Meet deadlines

·         Articulate clearly and logically the agency’s position in written and oral form

·         Analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures

·         Direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems

·         Manage multiple priorities while ensuring compliance with tax laws/statutes and deadlines

·         Develop documents, presentations, and reports

·         Conduct data analysis

·         Represent the division and agency with professionalism and integrity

·         Problem-solve and develop consensus in a team environment

·         Establish and maintain working relationships with agency staff and partners, court personnel, and stakeholders

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. from an accredited law school

• PLUS licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma

• PLUS an active member of the State Bar of Oklahoma

• PLUS a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law

• INCLUDING a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in tax law, supervision, or litigation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree such as an LL.M. in taxation or related field

• Specialized expertise in tax or tax-related area of law

• Previous experience as a managing attorney

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Exhibit manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels, with or without aids. Ability to communicate clearly. Physical ability to lift up to 15 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Travel is required for this position. Applicants must have reliable transportation and be willing and able to perform all job-related travel. Possession and maintenance of a valid Oklahoma State Driver’s License is also required.

Oklahoma Tax Commission’s normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm.  This schedule may require minor flexibility based on the needs of the agency.

Telework may be required based on the needs of the agency, division, and section.  If applicable, applicant must be willing and able to work BOTH on-site and telework at an off-site location, generally in the applicant’s home.  Applicant must have a secure internet connection and a dedicated telephone (landline) or smart phone device during scheduled working hours.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

This position has access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and is required to uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality as an essential part of its job responsibilities. This includes safeguarding all tax information obtained from records, files, tax returns, and departmental investigations, whether in paper, electronic, or verbal form.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

All offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a fingerprint-based background check, reference check and federal and state tax compliance check.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

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