Attorney

Location: Pierre, SD

Salary: $79,197.84 - $106,410.74 annually, depending on experience and qualifications

Pay Grade: L1 - L2

Closing Date: 11/05/2026 This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Agriculture & Natural Resources. For more information on the Agriculture & Natural Resources, please visit https://danr.sd.gov/. The department is seeking a dedicated Attorney I or II to provide legal expertise in supporting the department's mission to protect and preserve agriculture, environment, and natural resources through effective regulatory services, natural resource conservation, and financial and technical assistance. This role involves advising multiple divisions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and representing the department in legal proceedings. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney looking to apply their expertise in a public service setting, directly impacting our state's environment and agricultural landscape.

Key Responsibilities: Provide legal counsel to the department secretary and divisions on legal matters. Oversee compliance with federal and state regulations. Assist staff with development and execution of enforcement actions and settlement agreements. Represent the department in administrative hearings and in trial and appellate courts. Manage case strategy from inception through resolution, including conducting discovery, drafting appropriate legal pleadings, evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments. Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, policies, and legal opinions. Assist in the drafting, review, or evaluation of contracts Draft legislation and administrative rules and assist in the review of legislation and lobbying. Manage open records requests and ensure adherence to public records laws. Advise staff and boards on compliance with open meetings laws. Collaborate with other state agencies. Other duties as assigned.

Licenses and Certifications: Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. Licensed to practice law in South Dakota.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have: 1-10 years of legal experience; knowledge of South Dakota and federal agriculture and environmental regulations and a strong desire to advocate for our state's agriculture heritage and natural resource protection. Previous experience handling administrative hearings and regulator compliance matters is a plus. Knowledge of: South Dakota agriculture and natural resources; state and federal regulations pertaining to agriculture, the environment, and natural resource protection; state and federal legislative and rulemaking processes; state and federal administrative practices and procedures; legal research techniques and technology tools; the rules of evidence, civil procedure, and constitutional law. Ability to: communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written communications; assess legal risk and provide clear and practical guidance; work independently while following instructions and accepting guidance; self organize and self manage case loads and client needs; work effectively with program staff, private attorneys, boards, hearing officers, and court officials; uphold the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment. This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act. A certificate is not necessary to be considered. The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. $0 premium employee health insurance option eleven paid holidays generous vacation and sick leave accrual dental vision other insurance options retirement benefits You can view our benefits information here. South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus 'An Equal Opportunity Employer'