Attorney III - Compliance Team [Finance and Audit]

This Attorney III – Compliance team position will be assigned to be a program attorney for finance and compliance. The position will conduct research on complex areas of law regarding federal funding, grant requirements, and use of tax dollars. The position will coordinate with federal entities, other state agencies, and internal personnel around audits, audit findings, risk mitigation, use of funding, and legislative impact on the agency. The position will serve as the primary point of contact for the Auditor of Public Accounts and our federal partners for audits.

Primary Job duties:

• Provide legal advice to the Chief Financial Officer and divisional personnel around federal funding sources, appropriate use of state and federal dollars for programs, grants, and contracts.
• Conduct risk assessments and identify risk areas around use of funds
• Serve as the primary point of contact for state and federal audits.
• Advise personnel around process and policy changes stemming from state and federal audits and ensure that all legal requirements are met regarding use of tax dollars.
• Provide legal advice to agency personnel on complaints, investigations, and compliance regarding use of funds and fraud/waste/abuse.
• Investigate complaints of misconduct by employees relating to ethics and compliance.
• Gather and review information, interview witnesses, prepare investigation reports, and identify and align remedial measures.
• Design, interpret, communicate, and implement compliance and ethics requirements and expectations throughout the agency.
• Develop compliance communications and provide training to agency personnel related to ethics, investigative processes, policies, and compliance.
• Issue spot and assist with providing reporting and analytics related to internal investigations and compliance issues and trends.
• Advise, draft, and issue legal opinions related to a variety of topics • Conduct risk analysis and implement appropriate compliance and privacy risk mitigation.

This position may also assist with other areas within the unit. Secondary job duties:
• Conduct legal research on complex areas of law involving regulations, legislation, privacy, and HIPAA.
• Review contracts, business associate agreements, and data use agreements for compliance and privacy issues.
• Assist with regulation promulgation and drafting.
• Provide legal interpretation and guidance to agency personnel on legislation.
• Conduct investigations of civil rights complaints, including responding to inquiries from clients and people applying for benefits.
• Conduct periodic compliance reviews of offices, programs, and contractors to ensure compliance and accessibility of programs and services.

Hiring rate of position: Pay rate may be commensurate with education and/or experience within fiscal constraints, if approved.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing law and providing legal services such as preparing and trying cases, advising clients, and/or interpreting laws or administrative policies.

Legal Requirements: In accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of l943, incumbents in this class must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Ability to: interpret and apply statutes, case law, decisions of court/administrative hearings, administrative rules, and policies on a variety of complex legal issues; review and apply state and federal laws regarding agency compliance; effectively communicate and interact with internal personnel, external stakeholders, and the public; evaluate programs and documents for compliance and develop strategic plans; draft and develop internal agency policies; conduct risk analysis; conduct thorough and timely investigations into ethics and compliance complaints; advise agency personnel on audit corrective actions; conduct legal research and formulate opinions and recommendations based on legal research; identify critical elements of legal questions and issues; and create and conduct internal training for agency personnel related to compliance.

About Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services provides a variety of career opportunities. No matter your educational background and/or experience, we may have a career opportunity for you. We recognize that our employees bring tremendous value to the State of Nebraska and that their vital work helps people live better lives. We support our staff by offering fantastic benefits, training and development opportunities for personal and professional growth, and a positive, team-oriented atmosphere.

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