Agency Legal Counsel at State of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE

Job description

The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Motor Vehicles - Agency 24 Location: Lincoln, NE Hiring Rate: $42.520 Job Posting: JR2026-00030196 Agency Legal Counsel (Open) Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): Job Description: The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking an experienced attorney and strong leader to serve as Agency Legal Counsel. This is a unique opportunity to lead the legal function of a progressive, high-performing state agency whose work impacts nearly every Nebraskan. The Nebraska DMV is focused on modernization, efficiency, customer service, accountability, and sound public administration. Our legal counsel plays a critical role in helping the agency navigate complex legal issues, evaluate risk, support major initiatives, interpret legislation, manage contracts, advise on personnel matters, and work collaboratively with other branches and levels of government. The Agency Legal Counsel serves as the DMV's chief legal advisor and is a key member of the agency's leadership team. This position directs the agency's legal operations, supervises legal staff, advises the Director and senior leadership, and helps ensure the agency carries out its responsibilities in a legally sound, practical, and effective manner. We are looking for an attorney who brings strong legal judgment, a collaborative approach, high professional standards, and the ability to identify solutions —not simply obstacles. Why Join the Nebraska DMV? The Nebraska DMV is not standing still. We are modernizing systems, changing how services are delivered, evaluating new technologies, improving customer service, and continually looking for ways to operate government more effectively. Those changes create interesting and complex legal issues involving statutory authority, administrative law, contracts, privacy, personnel, technology, legislation, compliance, and relationships with other governmental entities. The Agency Legal Counsel has an opportunity to be directly involved in those discussions and decisions. This position is not limited to reviewing documents after decisions have been made. We want our legal counsel engaged early — helping leadership identify risks, understand options, solve problems, and determine how the agency can move forward responsibly. Our work has a direct impact on the lives of Nebraskans. The DMV's programs support individual mobility, public safety, commerce, law enforcement, local governments, businesses, and numerous other public and private partners. We take that responsibility seriously and expect high standards from ourselves and our team. If you are an experienced attorney who enjoys solving complex problems, advising executive leadership, developing other professionals, and using your legal skills to make a meaningful difference in public service, we encourage you to apply. Join the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and help shape the legal foundation for the DMV of the future. Job Duties: As Agency Legal Counsel, you will: · Serve as the chief legal advisor to the DMV Director and agency leadership. · Direct and manage the agency's legal functions and supervise attorneys and other legal staff. · Provide legal advice regarding agency operations, statutory authority, administrative law, contracts, personnel matters, regulatory compliance, litigation, and other legal issues affecting the agency. · Review, interpret, and advise on state and federal laws, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, and agency policies. · Draft and review proposed legislation, amendments, rules, policies, legal opinions, and other legal documents. · Analyze proposed legislation to identify legal, operational, financial, and administrative impacts on the agency. · Work with agency leadership and program areas to identify and address legal risks associated with new initiatives, technology, operational changes, and service delivery. · Review and negotiate contracts a