Associate Legal Counsel

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

In this role, you serve as a legal and administrative leader for DCY’s 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 General’s 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 contracting—helping 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 agency’s contracting program and recommend policy or procedural adjustments to improve efficiency or compliance. You also prepare formal correspondence for senior leadership.

Requirements

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code.
• Travel required, as needed.
• Must provide own transportation, or possess a valid driver’s license to operate a state vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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 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.

Benefits

• 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 )

What This Job Offers

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