Legal Counsel - Contracts and Legal Agreements (PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking a Legal Counsel - Contracts and Legal Agreements to serve in the agency’s Legal Division. This position will be responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to agency staff to help facilitate the fulfillment of contracts and procurements for IDEC. The employee in this position will work collaboratively with staff in the Legal Division to maintain agency compliance with relevant statutes, guidelines, and mandates.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school.
Illinois license to practice law.
Prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.
One (1) year of professional legal experience drafting contracts as a licensed attorney and providing legal counsel regarding confidentiality and/or HIPAA or FERPA related issues in a government setting.
Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, and other necessary equipment as required.
This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of professional experience reviewing and drafting contracts for a public or business organization.
Three (3) years of professional experience conducting legal analysis related to various contractual agreements for a public or business organization.
One (1) year of professional experience conducting legal research and writing legal opinions.
One (1) year of professional experience working in a liaison capacity with various internal and external entities.
Thorough knowledge of Illinois law gained by work as an attorney.

Responsibilities

Serves as Legal Counsel for Contracts and Legal Agreements for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
Collaborates with the Fiscal Division to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations while fulfilling agency procurement orders and contracts.
Provides legal advice and counsel to the agency’s administrative and professional staff, particularly regarding matters related to the agency’s contracts, procurement, operations, and administration.
Confers and consults with Legal Division staff requesting the utilization of contractual services.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.