Associate Legal Counsel

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Legal Counsel serves as a legal and administrative leader for the Department of Children and Youth’s contracting and procurement work, focusing on mitigating legal risks and maintaining compliance. The position plans, directs, and coordinates technical and non-technical procurement and contracting activities that may affect DCY, other state agencies, local jurisdictions, and private-sector partners. The attorney drafts, reviews, and manages procurement-related contracts and documents; conducts legal research; assists with public records requests; coordinates with DCY Legal and Legislative teams; collaborates with state agencies and outside entities; and works with the Attorney General’s Office on matters affecting DCY.

The role works with program offices to identify appropriate agreements based on funding sources, service needs, and legal requirements. It supports staff development by creating contracting training materials, presenting at annual agreement manager training sessions, and communicating new or changed requirements. The position supervises staff by assigning work, setting expectations, evaluating performance, coaching, contributing to hiring decisions, approving leave, making disciplinary recommendations, and holding regular team meetings.

The Associate Legal Counsel negotiates alternative terms with vendors and other agencies’ legal representatives, prepares performance-based reports on the contracting program, recommends policy and procedural improvements, and prepares formal correspondence for senior leadership. The position is based on-site daily at DCY’s Columbus office. Travel is required as needed.

Requirements

• Admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
• Must provide own transportation; a valid driver’s license is required to operate a state vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal interpretation, guidance, and counsel to DCY leadership and program staff on matters affecting agency operations and assigned program areas.
• Serve as DCY’s legal liaison with the Ohio Attorney General’s 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 Requests for Proposals, Requests for Grant Applications, and other procurement documents.
• Collaborate with DCY staff to retrieve responsive records for public records requests, review or 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.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate procurement and contracting activities, and work with program offices to identify appropriate agreements.
• Negotiate alternative contract terms with vendors and legal representatives from other agencies.
• Prepare performance-based reports on the agency’s contracting program and recommend policy or procedural adjustments.
• Supervise staff, including assigning work, setting expectations, evaluating performance, coaching, contributing to hiring decisions, approving leave, making disciplinary recommendations, and holding regular team meetings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed