Cook County Regional Counsel

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized professional and results oriented individual to serve as Cook County Regional Counsel. Under general direction this position will represent the Department at hearings on assigned calendar in the Juvenile Court of Cook County including temporary custody adjudication disposition permanency status progress termination of parental rights and motion hearings. The position will appear personally in court especially on high profile or complex cases. This position will also provide input into or conduct screenings to determine whether matters are legal sufficient to present to the court. This position is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to use their skills as an attorney to benefit child welfare services. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan excellent benefits and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent legal research and organizational skills. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join our innovative team to help make a difference in the lives of children and families.

• Serves as Cook County Regional Counsel
• As directed provides input into or conducts screenings to determine whether matters are legally sufficient to present to the court
• Provides input into the planning and development of training for staff on legal issues
• As directed makes periodic visits to assigned area office(s) to provide on-site legal consultation to workers
• Prepares memoranda on legal issues
• Maintains current working knowledge of relevant federal and state statutory and case law state and federal regulations and Department policy and procedures
• Maintains records of activities and actions taken on behalf of the Department and reports to supervisor regarding same
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

• Requires graduation from a recognized law school
• Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois

• Requires the ability to pass a background check
• Requires possession ability to travel
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting 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 BillTraining/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: position DOES NOT contain Specialized Skills (as that term is used in CBAs).

Revolving Door

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to thisposition. 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.

Economic Interest

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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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If you have questions about how to apply please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on click Application Procedures in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your junk mail spam or other folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: