Contract Law/Administration Attorney (Attorney III) - 61144645

State of South Carolina•Lexington County, SC

31d•Onsite

About The Position

At the newly established South Carolina Department of Public Health (“DPH”), you will do meaningful work contributing to our mission to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of everyone in South Carolina. The applicant chosen to fill this position will join a dedicated team of public health attorneys that will have the unique opportunity to advise the state’s first stand-alone public health agency in 50 years. Consider joining the DPH Office of General Counsel (“OGC”), where you will work in a collaborative and supportive environment where people come first, and we encourage a healthy work-life balance. This position offers great state benefits, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more, depending on applicable state service, as well as the option of an Alternate Work Schedule ("AWS") with every other Friday off following one full year of employment. WHO WE ARE: The Office of General Counsel (“OGC”) is the legal team for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, providing representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible state issues. DPH seeks an experienced attorney to join its Administration Team. OGC’s Administration Team attorneys are the agency’s primary legal advisors on the essential administrative services that keep the agency going and make it possible for DPH to accomplish its mission – business management, finance, human resources, information technology and security, compliance, and communications. As the legal advisor to DPH’s administration functions, you will: Work under the supervision of the agency’s Chief Counsel for Administration; Guide DPH through the labyrinth of federal and state laws governing public contracts and grants; Review and provide legal advice on a variety of contractual agreements; Advise staff on complex procurements and represent the agency in procurement disputes; and Assist in development of procedures and systems to improve agency contract efficiency and compliance. You will also: Work with the Human Resources office on employment issues; Advise DPH’s Information Technology office; Coordinate DPH responses to bankruptcy filings; Weigh complicated questions concerning employee ethics; and Advise the Freedom of Information Office and Compliance Office on privacy and confidentiality. You will master the laws and policies governing how DPH operates and grasp their everyday consequences. You will face novel and challenging issues every day. We will give you the Continuing Legal Education and other training you need to develop into a trusted advisor to the agency’s top executive leadership and staff at every level, and you will pass on that training to others.

Requirements

A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
At least five (5) years’ experience as a practicing attorney (which may include judicial clerkships)
Possess a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
Be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
Have completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403, South Carolina Appellate Court Rules
Provide a resume and legal writing sample with your application

Nice To Haves

Be trustworthy, self-motivated, and reliable
Possess a strong work ethic and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Possess the ability to work well with other lawyers and program staff in a team environment
Possess a commitment to professionalism, ethics and public service
Possess excellent legal research and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues in simple, direct, and easily understandable terms to non-lawyers, lawyers, hearing officers and judges
Demonstrate strong legal writing skills (A legal writing sample must be submitted with your application)
Possess strong public-speaking skills
Knowledge of and experience with contracts, the state Procurement Code, and federal grants
Knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security rules
Understanding of employment law from the public sector perspective
Knowledge of state employee ethics laws and rules
Understanding of the SC Freedom of Information Act and Administrative Procedures Act
Basic knowledge of bankruptcy law and procedure
Understanding of laws and principles governing privacy and confidentiality
Knowledge of and experience in litigation and civil procedure
Knowledge of basic office software including Microsoft Office/Word, Microsoft Office 365, and Adobe Pro
A level head, good judgment and common sense

Responsibilities

Work under the supervision of the agency’s Chief Counsel for Administration
Guide DPH through the labyrinth of federal and state laws governing public contracts and grants
Review and provide legal advice on a variety of contractual agreements
Advise staff on complex procurements and represent the agency in procurement disputes
Assist in development of procedures and systems to improve agency contract efficiency and compliance
Work with the Human Resources office on employment issues
Advise DPH’s Information Technology office
Coordinate DPH responses to bankruptcy filings
Weigh complicated questions concerning employee ethics
Advise the Freedom of Information Office and Compliance Office on privacy and confidentiality
Pass on training to others

Benefits

15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
15 days Sick Leave per year
13 Paid Holidays
Paid Parental Leave
Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
Retirement benefit choices
State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
Alternate Work Schedule ("AWS") with every other Friday off following one full year of employment