Public Service Administrator - Implementation And Litigation Counsel

State of Illinois•Springfield, MO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hiring an Implementation and Litigation Counsel to join its legal team in a newly created leadership role. Reporting to the General Counsel, the position supervises an attorney and a paralegal and leads litigation support, policy implementation, and compliance initiatives. The role serves as the Department’s primary liaison to the Office of the Attorney General, oversees litigation-related matters, and guides operational changes prompted by new laws, audit findings, and court decisions. It offers the opportunity to develop the Department’s legal function within a collaborative team. Hybrid work may be available after successful completion of the probationary period, subject to operational needs; the anticipated schedule is three to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. The position organizes, plans, evaluates, and executes the legal framework for statewide programs established to administer new statutory mandates or programs assigned to the Department. It drafts and proposes legislation and rules, prepares and coordinates contracts related to implementing new laws or rules, and conducts complex legal research. The position is a full-line supervisor and performs other duties within the scope of the role as assigned. The role requires graduation from an accredited law school, a valid Illinois law license, and three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law. Preferred qualifications include experience in litigation support, legal research, regulatory and policy drafting, compliance implementation, legislative review, audit follow-up, and monitoring federal law or industry trends. The position is salaried and full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The anticipated starting salary is $8,571–$9,700 per month. The position is based at 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois. Travel is required, and overnight travel may be required. A valid driver’s license is required. The appointment is for a four-year term, renewable at the Department Director’s discretion, and is subject to a probationary period.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school.
A valid license to practice law in Illinois.
At least three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.
Ability to travel in the performance of duties.
An appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.

Nice To Haves

Two years of professional litigation support experience, including compiling administrative records, compiling and drafting discovery responses, and reviewing motions for accuracy.
Two years of professional experience implementing compliance with new or updated laws and policies.
Two years of professional experience reviewing proposed or newly passed legislation to evaluate its impact on an organization’s policies, rules, or statutes.
Two years of professional experience reviewing audit findings and recommending corrective action for non-compliance.
Two years of professional experience drafting policies, administrative rules, or similar regulatory guidelines.
Two years of professional experience conducting legal or legislative research.
Two years of professional experience monitoring federal laws or industry trends for their impact on an organization’s policies, rules, or statutes.

Responsibilities

Serve as Implementation and Litigation Counsel representing the Department’s General Counsel.
Organize, plan, evaluate, and execute the legal framework for statewide programs established to administer new statutory mandates or programs assigned to the Department.
Draft and propose legislation and rules in response to industry practices, regulatory experience, and changes in laws and rules.
Prepare, review, and coordinate proposed contracts related to implementing new laws or rules, as assigned by the General Counsel.
Determine when extensive and complex legal research is required and conduct the research, preparing supporting documentation.
Supervise staff as a full-line supervisor, including an attorney and a paralegal.
Lead litigation support, policy implementation, and compliance initiatives; serve as the Department’s primary liaison to the Office of the Attorney General and oversee litigation-related matters.
Guide operational changes arising from new laws, audit findings, and court decisions.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.