Employment Law, Attorney 5 (PN )

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney; 6 mos. supervisory principles/techniques.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

Please note: Effective October 1 2025 the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new namethe Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals families and communities across the state.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health is seeking an experienced attorney with strong discovery research and writing skills that can provide legal advice and representation regarding an array of employment and labor law matters impacting the Department of Behavioral Health statewide operations. This position will provide expert legal consultation policy guidance and leadership for complex and high-risk employment this role you will work closely with staff across the agency and liaison with external stakeholders federal state and local partners and constituents. The ideal candidate is a licensed Ohio attorney who is motivated detail-oriented and interested in working within a collaborative and professional work environment.

What youll do at DBH:

Employment & Labor Law Consultation

• Serves as lead legal consultant for statewide employment and labor matters including discipline investigations collective bargaining accommodations EEO ADA FMLA public records related to personnel and workforce policy issues.
• Researches analyzes and interprets federal and state employment laws.
• Advises agency leadership HR and program administration on legal risk and compliance.

Statewide & Multi-Agency Initiatives

• Plans directs and coordinates legal activities for major departmental and system-wide initiatives.
• Serves as DBH legal representative on statewide and multi-agency workgroups and policy committees.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation administrative rules and regulatory actions affecting employment and labor operations.

Lead Attorney & Legal Oversight

• Provides ongoing and project-based legal consultation to agency leadership.
• Directs preparation and reviews legal documentation including legal opinions memoranda correspondence and contracts.
• Exercises independent judgment on complex legal issues and serves as liaison with the Ohio Attorney Generals Office on assigned employment and labor matters.
• Coordinates with the agencys legislative liaison regarding employment-related statutory and rule changes.

Litigation & Administrative Proceedings

• Assists the Chief Legal Counsel and Legal Office Chief with employment-related litigation and administrative proceedings including matters before the Ohio Court of Claims and Federal and state courts.
• Participates in pre-trial conferences; reviews case documentation; assesses legal risk; and develops recommendations regarding settlement resolution or appeal.
• Ensures consistency with agency policy and DAS standards in the development and management of case materials.
  
  

This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units with a pay range of15on theE1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm (Flexible Schedule).

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

This position is unclassified per 124.11 (A) (9) Ohio Revised Code.

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off including vacation personal sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth Adoption and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS STRS SERS and HPRS)&Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Application Procedures
To be considered for this position you must apply online through this posting website (). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications experience education and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your addition see resume is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicants prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

RuleBackground check on applicants outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process assessment &/or interview please contact Andrew Seifert EEO/ADA Administrator at or .

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39) and as outlined in the posting.

Employment Law
Attorney 5

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals Ohio Pharmacy Services Ohios prison systems and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered Solution Oriented Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable Reasonable Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well get well and stay well. Join our collaborative service-oriented environment where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued supported and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness second-chance hiring and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect both in the community and within our own team.