Legal Director

The North Dakota Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship (OGC) is a newly created state agency dedicated to strengthening protections for some of North Dakota's most vulnerable citizens. Established by the 69th Legislative Assembly, the OGC provides centralized oversight, regulation, and support for guardianship and conservatorship services across the state.

The Office's focus is to ensure accountability, transparency, and high-quality service delivery in guardianship and conservatorship. To accomplish this, the OGC:

• Licenses and regulates professional guardians and conservators.
• Establishes ethical and professional standards for practice.
• Provides training, guidance, and resources to guardians and conservators.
• Monitors performance and investigates misconduct to safeguard individuals under care.
• Maintains a registry of removed guardians and conservators to prevent repeat misconduct.
• Administers funding and ensures services are sustainable, effective, and compliant with state and federal law

Join us in a pivotal role as the Legal Director of the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship. This meaningful opportunity is a chance to serve the public, shape policy, and lead with purpose.

The Legal Director will serve as both the chief legal advisor and enforcement officer for the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship (OGC). This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to shape systems that will safeguard vulnerable citizens, establish statewide standards for accountability, and create a complaint and enforcement framework. The role offers high visibility at the top levels of state government - working closely with legislators, the courts, and the Governor - while also conducting investigations and shaping rules and policies that will define the agency's long-term effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Investigations and Case Management - Direct investigations into noncompliance under NDCC 54-68, including interviews, subpoenas, depositions, and case oversight.
• Enforce Compliance and Discipline - Issue formal complaints, recommend or arrange disciplinary hearings, represent the agency at hearings, and coordinate referrals to law enforcement when appropriate.
• Provide Legal Counsel to the Agency - Serve as chief legal advisor to the Executive Director and Operations Committee; draft rules, provide legal opinions, and prepare memoranda on legal and regulatory issues.
• Develop and Shape Legal Frameworks - Research laws and best practices to guide the agency; recommend and draft administrative rules aligned with NDCC 54-68; advise on proposed legislation.
• Support Accountability and Transparency - Ensure fair complaint and appeals processes and contribute to policies that protect vulnerable citizens while building trust in the agency's oversight role.

What You'll Bring:

• Commitment to public service and protecting vulnerable citizens through fair and transparent processes.
• Strong investigative and analytical skills, with the ability to manage complex cases from intake through resolution.
• Confidence in leading hearings, drafting legal documents, and issuing disciplinary actions.
• The ability to balance dual responsibilities as both legal counsel and enforcement officer for a new agency.
• Excellent legal writing, research, and communication skills to support decision-making at the highest levels of government.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in North Dakota
• At least two (2) years of legal experience.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough legal research, prepare legal documents, and provide representation in legal proceedings.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, administrative, regulatory, criminal, or civil litigation.

Compensation & Location:

Location: Bismarck, ND or remote in North Dakota. This position may work remotely from within North Dakota with the ability to travel to Bismarck, ND as necessary. The successful candidate must reside within North Dakota.

Hiring Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000/annually, depending on experience

Application Procedures:

Applicants must complete the on-line application via the Career site at www.nd.gov/careers. The application must be submitted by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time (CST) on the closing date.

All potential applicants must attach and/or upload the following documents in a .pdf, .doc, or .docx format at the time of application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• College Transcripts (copies or unofficial versions are acceptable)
• Three professional references

Due to access to restricted information, the successful candidate will be required to complete a satisfactory criminal background check.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship does not provide sponsorships.

For more information, contact Rachel Sinness, Executive Director at (701) 328-3406 or raesinness@nd.gov. If you need accommodation or assistance in the application or selection process, contact Hope Wedul, HR Business Partner at 701-328-3357 or at hwedul@nd.gov.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the Application Process or uploading attachments, please contact recruiter@nd.gov or (701) 328-3290.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.