SPECIAL ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Essential Functions

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the agency’s central office management and professional staff
• Provides advice and counsel to staff of the Division of Licensing regarding any and all questions on licensing rules, statutes, and procedures
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation
• Provides legal advice and counsel to program staff concerning any and all questions on adoptions, guardianship, permanency goals, and other initiatives
• Provides legal counsel to professional staff concerning any and all questions on adoptions and permanency issues in developing case presentation and interpreting court orders, statutes, and regulations
• Represents the Department in administrative hearings and licensing appeals which involve some adverse decision of actions regarding a DCFS license, such as revocation, placement hold, non-renewal, license denial, etc.
• Reviews drafts and coordinates with staff the finalization of Department Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
• Requires three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year of experience providing legal counsel regarding legislation, administrative rules, and procedures to a governmental entity
• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney conducting legal analysis and legal research
• 1 year of professional experience as an attorney addressing licensing/regulatory violations and enforcement matters
• 1 year of professional experience as an attorney presenting and arguing legal cases in court or administrative hearings
• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney working in collaboration with various internal and external entities

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires the ability to pass a background check.

2. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.

3. Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

4. This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings. 

5. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus. The Office of Legal Services works in a supportive capacity to ensure Departmental adherence to all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and court orders.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
  • Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx