Legal Assistant

Job Posting Agency Information: Kansas Real Estate Commission The mission of the Kansas Real Estate Commission is to protect the public interest in the selling, purchasing and leasing of real estate and developing responsive policies and procedures which are customer service focused and not unduly burdensome to regulated real estate licensees. Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy To be considered, please apply with a resume, one-page cover letter, and a writing sample in addition to the online application. About the Position Who can apply: Anyone Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time Regular/Temporary: Regular Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes Application Deadline: Open Until Filled Compensation Hourly Pay Range: $23.50-$26.50 Note: 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 Description The Kansas Real Estate Commission is seeking a detail-oriented professional who can combine legal research, strong writing, case management, and process improvement to support the Commission's disciplinary, records, and administrative functions. This position plays a key role in drafting clear legal documents, preparing hearing materials, maintaining accurate case records, and improving internal procedures. The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, comfortable interpreting laws and policies, and committed to making government processes easier for licensees, applicants, and the public to understand. This position reports to the Executive Director and is based in the Topeka office but has the ability for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities per Commission guidelines Job Responsibilities Research and apply laws in drafting disciplinary documents, directives and letters for review and approval by the Executive Director and Commission's assigned Attorney Generals. Makes recommendations for improvements to the structure and content of documents to make the design easy for licensees and applicants to understand. Prepares documents needed for hearings including exhibits and files for referral to Office of Administrative Hearings. Maintains calendar for hearings and due dates for cases. Communicates with applicants and licensees related to the status of their cases. Assists with compiling information for Commission meeting packet and working with Commission members assigned to the Investigative Committee. Manages administrative fine collection and reconciliation. Assists in drafting of proposed legislation and regulations. Assists Executive Director with tracking legislation and compiling data for legislative reports. Perform research, prepare analysis, and make initial evaluations and recommendations for improvement to internal administrative procedures. Prepares correspondence for executive review and signature. Assists in budget development processes as needed. Creates, indexes and maintains files relating to civil litigation cases. Makes sure all internal disciplinary records are updated and performs routine quality control. Recommends process improvements and new reporting features in Accela database environment. Updates internal procedure manuals to reflect current operations. Serve as Records Retention and Open Records Officer. Ensure that state standards and regulations are being followed including fulfillment of requests and disposal of records. Interpret policy and recommend changes and updates regarding state requirements. Develop, disseminate, and train other staff regarding the requirements. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director including backup on phones to support licensing staff. Minimum Qualifications High School Diploma or GED required Legal or paralegal courses or seminars Minimum 4 years' experience as a legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary or high-level executive assistant in a governmental organization. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. * Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree Paralegal certification At least 5 years of experience is preferred or experience with Kansas real estate license law Special Skills, Abilities, Certifications Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, positive attitude and critical thinking ability are essential in this position. This position requires a high level of organizational skills. Knowledge of the agency structure, objectives, real estate license law and Kansas administrative procedures act. Ability to apply statutes, regulations and procedures to make decisions. Post Offer Requirement Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. Please be encouraged if you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions Recruiter Contact Information Name: Sarah Aasen Email: Sarah.Aasen@ks.gov Job Application Process First Sign in or register as a New User. Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications. Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete. Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page. Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter. Email - sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page Notifications - view the Careers> My Job Notifications page Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How to Apply for a Job - Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job - Instructions" Required Documents for this Application to be Complete Resume One-page cover letter Writing Sample Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page DD FM 214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference) Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application Resume Cover Letter Writing sample 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 How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager. Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to: ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator Office of Personnel Services Docking State Office Building 915 SW Harrison Street, Ste 260, Topeka, KS 66612 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.