Associate Legal Counsel

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

1d • $92,310 - $131,893 • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Legal Counsel serves as a legal and administrative leader for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s contracting and procurement work, with a focus on mitigating legal risks and maintaining legal compliance. The role 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 position 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 Ohio Attorney General’s Office on matters affecting DCY. It works with program offices to determine appropriate agreements based on funding sources, service needs, and legal requirements. The position also develops contracting training materials, presents at annual agreement manager training sessions, and helps staff understand new or changed requirements.

The role supervises staff by assigning work, setting expectations, evaluating performance, coaching, contributing to hiring decisions, approving leave, recommending disciplinary action, and holding regular team meetings. It negotiates alternative terms with vendors and other agencies’ legal representatives, prepares performance-based reports on the agency’s contracting program, recommends policy or procedural changes, and prepares formal correspondence for senior leadership.

This is a permanent, full-time, on-site position at DCY’s Columbus office. The stated work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; daily start and end times may vary with operational needs and supervisory approval. Travel is required as needed.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• Provide legal interpretation, guidance, and counsel to DCY leadership and program staff on 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 draft, review, and manage related contracts and documents.
• Work with program offices to determine appropriate agreement types based on funding sources, service needs, and legal requirements.
• Develop contracting training materials and present at annual agreement manager training sessions.
• Supervise staff, including assigning work, setting expectations, evaluating performance, coaching, contributing to hiring decisions, approving leave, recommending disciplinary action, and conducting team meetings.
• Negotiate alternative 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.
• Prepare formal correspondence for senior leadership.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Dental insurance, with premiums free after completion of the eligibility period.
• Vision insurance, with premiums free after completion of the eligibility period.
• Basic life insurance, with premiums free after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid vacation, personal, and sick leave.
• 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 and optional deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

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