Attorney III

About the role

The South Dakota Department of Health works to prevent illness and injury; promote healthy places to live, work, and play; support informed health decisions; prepare for and respond to public health threats; and enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare across the state. Our services impact every South Dakotan. We value our employees as our greatest resource and are committed to fostering a culture of excellence. We trust our team members to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make sound decisions. We seek a diverse and skilled workforce embodying leadership, accountability, communication, integrity, and teamwork. Public health is a dynamic and expanding field offering many career paths—imagine yourself contributing to a healthier and safer South Dakota.

This position offers a unique opportunity to represent the South Dakota Department of Health and serve as lead litigation counsel across the agency. Litigation work includes providing legal support for the Medical Cannabis Program and contributing legal and regulatory expertise to a continually developing area of law. Additional litigation responsibilities include prosecuting regulatory violations under the jurisdiction of the department involving nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, restaurants, lodging establishments, and campgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal opinions and advice to program and department staff
• Serve as lead counsel in civil litigation matters involving the department
• Represent the department before the Office of Hearing Examiners and in trial and appellate courts
• Draft legislation and administrative rules
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and appellate filings
• Participate in lobbying activities as needed
• Conduct discovery, take and defend depositions, and manage case strategy from inception through resolution
• Handle evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments
• Draft program policies and procedures
• Assist with Request for Proposals processes
• Ensure compliance with federal and state statutes and administrative rules
• Participate in administrative and court hearings related to regulatory actions involving patient