Employment Law, Attorney 5 (PN 20035992)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services•Columbus, OH

20h

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health is seeking an experienced employment law attorney with strong discovery, research, and writing skills that can provide legal advice and representation regarding an array of employment and labor law matters impacting the Department of Behavioral Health statewide operations. This position will provide expert legal consultation, policy guidance, and leadership for complex and high-risk employment issues. In this role, you will work closely with staff across the agency and liaison with external stakeholders, federal, state, and local partners, and constituents. The ideal candidate is a licensed Ohio attorney who is motivated, detail-oriented, and interested in working within a collaborative and professional work environment.

Requirements

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code
18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney
6 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques

Nice To Haves

3+ years of employment litigation experience
5+ years advising and providing expert legal guidance, to include: analyzing complex legal issues, researching legislation, advising on legal rights, obligations, and potential liability.

Responsibilities

Serves as lead legal consultant for statewide employment and labor matters, including discipline, investigations, collective bargaining, accommodations, EEO, ADA, FMLA, public records related to personnel, and workforce policy issues.
Researches, analyzes, and interprets federal and state employment laws.
Advises agency leadership, HR, and program administration on legal risk and compliance.
Plans, directs, and coordinates legal activities for major departmental and system-wide initiatives.
Serves as DBH legal representative on statewide and multi-agency workgroups and policy committees.
Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory actions affecting employment and labor operations.
Provides ongoing and project-based legal consultation to agency leadership.
Directs preparation and reviews legal documentation, including legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, and contracts.
Exercises independent judgment on complex legal issues and serves as liaison with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on assigned employment and labor matters.
Coordinates with the agency’s legislative liaison regarding employment-related statutory and rule changes.
Assists the Chief Legal Counsel and Legal Office Chief with employment-related litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters before the Ohio Court of Claims and Federal and state courts.
Participates in pre-trial conferences; reviews case documentation; assesses legal risk; and develops recommendations regarding settlement, resolution, or appeal.
Ensures consistency with agency policy and DAS standards in the development and management of case materials.