PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 370158L - Legal Counsel 1

Position Overview

ISP Legal Counsel serves the Director and all Divisions in the ISP by conducting research, drafting legal documents, representing the department in negotiations and other matters related to litigation, and providing instruction to sworn officers. We are looking for a hard working and self-motivated experienced attorney who is interested in tackling a variety of legal issues to join our legal team. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply!

Job Responsibilities

Manages a litigation portfolio on behalf of the Department as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.

• Serves as a liaison with the Attorney General’s Office on civil cases involving employee discipline, constitutional rights, discrimination, and other litigation on a statewide basis.
• Assists in court and other forums on behalf of the Department.

Renders legal opinions for the Department’s senior command on complex issues requiring legal interpretation often involving issues regarding the Emergency Telephone Systems Act and the Department’s statewide fleet and communication system.

• Advises, both orally and by written position papers, the Director and Division heads concerning legal aspects of operational (sworn and code) issues.
• Participates in confidential high-level management discussions relating to Department operations.
• Drafts and reviews legal documents necessary for the functioning of a major state agency, including, but not limited to, subpoenas, procurement contracts, interagency agreements, department policies, and labor agreements (both code and sworn).
• Provides guidance and direction to the Department’s technical advisors where necessary especially as it relates to issues involving the Emergency Telephone Systems Act.

Serves as the Department’s representative on complex administrative matters requiring legal interpretation.

• Serves as the Department’s representative in administrative hearings.
• Drafts, reviews, and revises administrative rules and legislation (current, pending, and proposed).
• Researches, analyzes, and advises the Department’s senior command on complex administrative matters requiring legal interpretation.

Conducts law instruction to sworn officers.

• Prepares course outlines and materials required to conduct classes for cadet classes or for existing sworn officers.
• Reviews training curriculum and training bulletins for compliance with Illinois and Federal law.
• Prepares law bulletins to inform personnel in the field of changes to Illinois law that effect the operations of the Department.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

Represents the Department in venues requiring legal analysis and expertise, such as the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board.

• Represents the Department’s interest in confidential negotiations with other governmental entities.
• Represents the Department’s position in confidential negotiations with vendors.

Serves on a variety of committees and task forces charged with addressing operational, administrative, or legislative issues.

• Attends meetings on behalf of the ISP Legal Office.
• Participates in developing policy and programs relative to these committees and task forces.

Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
2. Requires the possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.
3. Requires three (3) years’ experience in the practice of law.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers four (4) years of experience with legal research and writing.
2. Prefers one (1) year experience handling civil rights complaints as a licensed attorney.
3. Prefers one (1) year experience handling cases related to employment law as a licensed attorney.
4. Prefers two (2) years actively engaged in courtroom practice as a licensed attorney.
5. Prefers one (1) year experience with the administrative rulemaking process in Illinois.
6. Prefers one (1) year experience as a licensed attorney involved in the prosecution or defense of criminal cases.
7. Prefers six (6) months’ experience with mediation or negotiations as a licensed attorney, certified mediator or certified negotiator.
8. Prefers three (3) years’ experience with drafting and reviewing contracts as a licensed attorney.
9. Prefers one (1) year experience with state and federal firearms laws and regulations as a licensed attorney.
10. Prefers one (1) year experience with applying the principals of FOIA or the OMA within state government.
11. Prefers six (6) months’ experience in the practice of privacy as either a licensed attorney or certified privacy professional.

Conditions of Employment

1. Successfully pass agency background investigation.
2. Successfully pass agency drug screening.