Senior Attorney

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Attorney researches and advises Department of Child Services staff on complex legal issues to help align agency operations with federal and state legislation. The attorney drafts legal memorandums through an agency-impact lens and reviews and analyzes issues affecting child welfare law, the Indiana Code, and DCS policy. The role requires knowledge of education, foster parent licensing, residential facility licensing, immigration, and child welfare. Experience with related federal regulations, data systems, and software is desired. This position is located at the Central DCS Offices in the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The role may serve as a team lead and directly supervises two or more attorneys. The position is exempt from overtime compensation; employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report at least 75 hours of work and/or paid leave per pay period to receive their base biweekly salary.

Requirements

Doctorate of Jurisprudence.
At least five years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing.
Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to use a case management system to manage a docket, case information, and party information, and to serve orders.
Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with related federal regulations, data systems, and software.

Responsibilities

May train, manage, delegate to, and/or support legal support staff.
Advise and provide legal support to agency staff across program and legal areas.
May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice concerning contracts.
Research, interpret, and advise on laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions related to agency operations.
May draft and review legislation and administrative rules.
Use legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records related to legal procedures.
Create, prepare, and distribute documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions.
Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees; clarify role responsibilities and expectations and support professional development.
Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate employee performance while ensuring work meets quality standards, deadlines, and procedures.
May handle administrative matters and hearings, maintain appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on evidence admissibility, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence.
May use litigation skills and experience in matters relating to agency operations.
Organize and manage a caseload in preparation for hearings and/or litigation.
May review pleadings, motions, and discovery.
May draft appeals or briefs and perform other legal writing assignments.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, as well as vision and dental plans.
Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completing wellness activities.
Health savings account with biweekly state contributions.
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match.
Two fully funded pension plan options.
Leave policies, including 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave.
12 paid holidays, or 14 in election years.
Education Reimbursement Program.
Group life insurance.
Referral Bonus program.
Employee assistance program with covered behavioral health visits.
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.