Departmental Specialist 13 (Legal Specialist)
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Departmental Specialist 13 (Legal Specialist)
Salary
$31.99 - $47.75 Hourly
Location
Lansing, MI
Job Type
Permanent Full Time
Job Number
7901-26-EXE-005
Department
Agriculture and Rural Development
Opening Date
04/21/2026
Closing Date
5/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit
NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Description
Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference!
About this Position:
This position functions as the legal specialist for the department and is responsible for providing specialized guidance and knowledge on complex administrative law issues, including rulemaking, information sharing agreements and protection of data, interagency or public agreements and memoranda of understanding, and freedom of information requests. This position requires independent judgment and discretion, as well as advanced knowledge of applicable areas of law, and therefore requires a Juris Doctor degree. This position is responsible for managing these kinds of legal needs that impact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development leadership and staff, especially those subject matters listed above.
The position serves as the Deputy Regulatory Affairs Officer by drafting new rules and proposing updates to existing rules, completing regulatory impact statements, arranging public hearings, and tracking the entire rulemaking process department wide. The position oversees tracking and release of litigation holds and tracking of subpoenas and supports the Department's internal enforcement group by setting meetings and by serving as an informal hearings officer. Other key duties include conducting referenda for the legislatively established commodity groups and serving as a backup when the Director of the Office is unavailable. The position also serves as the Deputy FOIA Coordinator responsible for working with staff throughout the Department by preparing responses, developing estimates, and conducting training.
The Attorney General and designated Assistant Attorneys General provide attorney/client privileged legal advice to state agencies and officers and represent them in court. This position will collaborate with the Department of Attorney General and does not provide those services on behalf of the agency.
Position Description (https://mcsc.state.mi.us/AgencyPDFs/LegalSpecialistPDMDARDExec.pdf)
About MDARD:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public's food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $125.8 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.
MDARD offers a positive work-life balance with optional hybrid work options and flexible work schedules. Department leaders support a great team culture and are committed to professional development.
MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited school of law is required.
Experience
Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.
Additional Requirements and Information
Please attach a cover letter, resume, and official college transcripts to your application . Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.
You must attach an electronic and/or scanned copy of your official college/university transcripts. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.
Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
View the entire job specification at:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/D/DepartmentalSpecialist.pdf
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact theADA coordinator (https://www.michigan.gov/ose/-/media/Project/Websites/ose/Contact/RACs.pdf) for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work:State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits:The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs:The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available athttp://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave:Eligible full-time employees receive between15 and 35 personal daysand 13 sick daysper year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave:Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leaveimmediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays:Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs:Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential:Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs:In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness:Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation) to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction:Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules:Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times:Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
DEPSPL - Do you possess at least a bachelor's degree or higher in any major; OR at least one year of professional experience in the state of Michigan classified service? If so, please attach a copy of your official transcripts.
Yes
No
02
DEPSPL - Do you possess at least four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level?
Yes
No
03
Please describe your experience with the rulemaking process. If none, please @type N/A.
04
Please describe your experience with Freedom of Information Act requests. If none, please @type N/A.
Required Question
Employer
State of Michigan
Department
Agriculture and Rural Development
Address
525 West Allegan Street
mda-hr-resumes@michigan.gov
Lansing, Michigan, 48909
Phone
517-284-5014
Website
https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/careers
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