Legislative Counsel
Office of Legislative Services
Notice of Vacancy
Title: Legislative Counsel
Location: Office of Legislative Services
Office of the Legislative Counsel
State House Annex
West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey
Starting Salary: Commensurate with experience
The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) is an agency of the New Jersey Legislature established by law to provide professional, nonpartisan staff support services to the Legislature including its officers, members, committees and commissions. OLS operates under the authority of the Legislative Services Commission, a 16-member bipartisan panel with equal representation from each House of the Legislature.
The goal of OLS is to facilitate the work of the New Jersey Legislature and to enable and promote public understanding of the legislative process. As nonpartisan employees of the Legislature, OLS staff are prohibited from engaging in political activity or taking a public position with regard to any matter before the Legislature.
Description: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:11-60, under the general direction of the Executive Director, serves as the chief legal officer of the Legislature and counsel to the Legislative Services Commission, the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, and the Office of Legislative Services. Provides general standards for legislative bills, resolutions and amendments to assure compliance with the form and general classification of the Revised Statutes; furnishes formal legal opinions, legal assistance, information and advice relating to the subject matter and legal effect of the statutes and proposals made for statutory enactment, and questions of parliamentary law and legislative procedure. Performs other duties as shall be directed by the Commission or provided by law or House rule.
Requirements:
Education*:
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
- Admission to the New Jersey Bar.
* Foreign degrees and/or transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services and Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. at applicant’s expense. Please attach copy of transcript and evaluation with application. Candidates will not be considered for the position if they fail to provide all requested documents upon initial submittal.
Experience:
- Minimum of ten years of increasingly responsible experience in dealing with public policy, and governmental and regulatory affairs, including five years of experience in the supervision of attorneys.
Residency Law: Pursuant to the “New Jersey First Act”, all persons newly hired by the Office of Legislative Services, unless exempted by the law, shall have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey. New Jersey state employees hired prior to September 1, 2011 who transfer from another State of New Jersey appointing authority without a break in service greater than seven days but who reside outside the State of New Jersey are not required to change their principal residence to New Jersey in order to comply with the Act.
Please respond by: February 15, 2022
Please email cover letter and resume to: OLSJOBS@njleg.org
Date Posted: January 18, 2022
The Office of Legislative Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment which reflects the diversity of the state we serve.