Associate Legal Counsel

In this role you serve as a legal and administrative leader for DCYs contracting and procurement work with a focus on mitigating legal risks and maintaining legal compliance. Your day-to-day responsibilities involve planning directing and coordinating a wide range of technical and non-technical procurement and contracting activities. These activities often have legal impacts that reach beyond DCY to other state agencies local jurisdictions and private-sector partners.

A typical day may include drafting reviewing and managing procurement-related contracts and documents; conducting legal research; assisting with public records requests; coordinating with DCY Legal and Legislative teams on matters affecting the agency; acting as a key collaborator with other state agencies and outside entities; and working with the Attorney Generals Office on cases or matters affecting DCY.

You work closely with program offices to determine the correct type of agreements based on funding sources service needs and legal requirements. You also play a major role in staff development related to contractinghelping create training materials presenting at annual agreement manager training sessions and ensuring staff understand new requirements or changes.

Supervision is a significant part of the position. You assign work set expectations evaluate performance and coach staff. You also have input in hiring decisions and handle leave approvals disciplinary recommendations and regular team meetings.

On the external side you frequently negotiate alternative terms directly with vendors or legal representatives from other agencies. You prepare performance-based reports on the agencys contracting program and recommend policy or procedural adjustments to improve efficiency or compliance. You also prepare formal correspondence for senior leadership.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal interpretation guidance and counsel to DCY leadership and program staff on matters affecting agency operations and assigned program areas.
• Serve as DCYs legal liaison with the Ohio Attorney Generals Office and other outside entities.
• Represent DCY in legal proceedings hearings and related processes.
• Research and draft legal opinions orders memoranda and other documents related to assigned program areas.
• Analyze interpret draft and review legislation administrative rules rule packages agreements and memoranda of understanding.
• Analyze draft and edit Request for Proposals (RFPs) Request for Grant Applications (RFGAs) and other procurement documents.
• Collaborate with DCY staff to retrieve responsive records for public records requests review/draft legal responses and ensure timely replies.
• Provide training and guidance to internal staff including leadership management and lower-level attorneys.
• Respond to legal inquiries from the public and government officials.
• Represent DCY at meetings conferences trainings and seminars.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts and contribute to general departmental operations.
• Prepare correspondence reports and other documents; maintain logs records and files.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions and Requirements:

• Travel required as needed.
• Must provide own transportation or possess a valid drivers license to operate a state vehicle

Pay Information

Unless required by legislation or union contract starting salary will be step 1 of the salary range associated with this position. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Based on collective bargaining and legislative activity there may be cost of living increases awarded annually. Additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Background Check Information

The final candidate selected for the 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.

Status of posted positions

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About us

Our mission is to promote positive lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention quality education and family support DCY we offer our employees a rewarding work experience in public service helping Ohioans achieve a sustainable lifestyle that includes generous benefit options and a flexible work life balance making our agency a great place to work!To learn more about DCY please visit our website atDepartment of Children and Youth .

Location Requirements

DCYs core hours of operation are Mon-Fri from 8:00am to 5:00pm however daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across DCY divisions. Employees may begin as early as 7:00am & as late as 9:00am based on supervisory approval. This position performs work on-site daily at DCYs office space.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

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.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.

All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will not be considered as part of your application.

Selection devices such as a structured interview proficiency instrument and/or assessment may be required for this position. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency with a passing score of applicable selection device to be considered for this position. Regardless of a passing or failing score all results will be maintained for 6 months. Applicant with a passing score will be retained and utilized for a 6-month period. Applicant with a failing score in the same position may not re-take the same selection device for a 6-month period.

Travel required as needed. Must provide own transportation or in order to operate a state vehicle you must have a valid drivers license.

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.

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.