OMBUDSMAN CITIZENS AIDE

The Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens Aide Office (AZOCA) is an independent and apolitical legislative branch agency. The agency has twelve full-time employees two of whom are attorneys. The offices primary function is to investigate complaints it receives about the administrative acts of State of Arizona agencies and to help people navigate government systems.

2020 North Central Avenue

Phoenix Arizona 85004

Annual Salary Range: $90000 - $110000

Grade: 01

This position will remain open until filled

The Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens Aide is seeking a dedicated and highly motivated individual to join our team as an Ombudsman Staff Attorney. This is a hybrid position that combines ombudsman activities and investigatory work with legal analysis.

The position incumbent will work directly with the public and investigate complaints relating to public access as well as complaints about administrative acts of state agencies within the jurisdiction of the office.Additionally the position will collaborate with the Senior Staff Attorney to conduct legal research for and provide counsel to agency staff and management.

1. Considerable time will be devoted to fielding inquiries and investigating complaints regarding the Arizona public records law and the Arizona Open Meeting law from the public elected officials public officers and officials and media.

Communicating with the public state and local agency officials and employees about complaints including trying to resolve complaints informally

Evaluating whether state and local agency conduct was lawful and otherwise proper (i.e. reasonable fair oppressive arbitrary)

2. The Ombudsman Staff Attorney is a professional ombudsman and attorney who is responsible for helping the ombudsman investigate and address citizen inquiries and complaints.

3. Assist investigators and management in drafting and revising investigative reports and statements concerning state agencies about a wide variety of issues and legal subject matters.

4. Engage in discussions with government officials relating to ombudsman office activities.

5. Complete special assignments as directed by management and the senior attorney.

6. Track pending legislation and possibly engage in other legislative activities.

7. Conduct legal research for and provide counsel to agency team members.

8. Engage in policy discussions and provide policy advice.

9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Distinguishing characteristics of the Ombudsman Staff Attorney:

1. The individuals assignments will typically require them to make decisions based on substantial analysis and interpretation of relevant law. The case situations may require identifying standards in which no clear standards exist or in which the law is not clear. In these situations the ombudsman attorney uses considerable independent judgment:

To identify and analyze applicable precedents or policies to resolve a specific case situation

To select a proper conclusion or recommended course of action

2. The individual works collaboratively with the Senior Staff Attorney and keeps the Ombudsman informed of progress potentially controversial matters and the implications of the work performed.

3. The individual has substantial responsibility for exercising judgment in handling complaints. They accept complaints from the public and independently investigate a variety of complaints from moderate to difficult complexity and involving a wide range of factual situations.

Examples of duties: The Ombudsman Staff Attorney:

1. On infrequent occasion one may be required to travel to Arizona communities for training or speaking engagements or to handle a particular case situation. Similarly on rare occasions travel out-of-state may be required to attend or participate in workshops seminars or conferences. Because most forms of travel require a drivers license one must have a valid state-issued drivers license.

2. Analyzes legal problems formulates interpretations and makes recommendations to assist ombudsman staff members and advise the ombudsman management team.

3. Exercises and maintains the security and confidentiality of office matters and materials as required by law.

4. Receives complaints and questions from the public media agency officials and elected officials and:

Conducts intake interviews to establish the basis of an allegation

Logically and accurately explains rationale for decisions

Screens complaints for jurisdiction and appropriateness

Recommends alternative referral resources

5. Analyzes results of investigations and prepares reports of findings and recommendations for ombudsman review and signature.

6. Coordinates results of investigations with appropriate administrators and complainants.

7. Prepare and implement a plan of investigation for each complaint to be investigated.

8. Periodically may make speeches or appearances on behalf of the ombudsman.

9. Conducts legal research about the complaint by using appropriate sources such as:

Office resource files and agency policy and procedure manuals

Appropriate online research engines and information sites

Law library facilities and materials

10. Interview complainants witnesses and agency personnel.

11. Maintains proper investigative files containing:

Written notes that are clear enough to permit an independent understanding of the work done in investigating the complaint and communicating with the parties

A report which expresses cogent articulate and understandable conclusions for the target audience

Notes and affidavits which substantiate witness testimony

Relevant recommendations

The individual in this position will have:

Proficient writing skills particularly in gathering facts and organizing them to persuasively explain the information legal concepts and arguments so that the general public can readily comprehend the material

The ability to communicate effectively to a wide audience as evidenced by an excellent command of the English language and the ability to change styles to fit the target audience

The ability to work with individuals in personal stress and crises or confrontational situations as evidenced by the ability to maintain control of an interview and elicit factual information

Experience in engaging with the public elected officials public officers and officials and/or media reporters

A working knowledge of Arizona government ombudsman practices and administrative procedures

The ability to conduct legal research of statute and case law including the use of Westlaw

Knowledge of Arizona public records law and open meeting law

Experience and comfort with public speaking

Be able to conduct fair and impartial investigations as evidenced by the ability to:

Initiate and complete investigations without bias and present written reports detailing findings supported by clear and convincing evidence and make suggest practical recommendations

Read and comprehend Federal state and local laws regulations legal opinions administrative interpretations policy and procedure manuals and similar resource material

Accurately and logically summarize case factors including allegations facts issues possible implications and plausible recommendations to resolve matters

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other employees and with people contacted in the course of work

Describe and apply investigative techniques appropriate to the complaint under investigation

Identify and describe the standards against which the agencys performance is measured

Minimum Qualifications:

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and an active Arizona State Bar license in good standing

Preferred relevant experience may include:

Professional experience in administration management analysis research or planning relating to administrative acts of state or local level

Experience in administrative law public records law open meeting law and/or bodies of law governing one or more state agencies

Experience in child safety matters or empowerment scholarship accounts as the legislature has prioritized these two matters

Experience working with constituents and government officials in a government setting government agencies

Experience with the legislative or similar policy-making processes

Report writing experience

Investigatory experience

Driving:

Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R.12.)

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance deferred compensation plans and supplemental life insurance

Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Sick leave

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

Note that enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment