SENIOR REGIONAL COUNSEL

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus. The Office of Legal Services works in a supportive capacity to ensure Departmental adherence to all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and court orders. As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following: A Pension Program Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year) 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment) Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable) 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position) 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only) For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspxWork Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Work Location: 4 W Old State Capitol Plz, Springfield, Illinois, 62701-1222 Agency Contact: Michael Bernardy [email protected] (for questions only) Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance Revolving Door – Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to thisposition. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine. The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: [email protected] [email protected]

Requirements

Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
Requires three years of experience in the practice of law
Requires the ability to pass a background check.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
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. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

Nice To Haves

Prefers experience as an attorney in cases involving child welfare or juvenile law
Prefers experience as an attorney presenting and arguing legal cases in court and/or administrative hearings
Prefers experience as an attorney conducting legal analysis
Prefers substantive legal writing experience as an attorney in the areas of motions, pleadings, briefs, and memoranda
Prefers professional experience working in a liaison capacity with various internal and external entities
Prefers thorough knowledge of Illinois statutes and rules that have a substantial impact on Illinois juvenile court proceedings and/or DCFS’s administrative hearings

Responsibilities

Serves as Senior Regional Counsel
Interviews Department witnesses
Evaluates cases involving clients where the Department is involved in court or seeking expunction or indication
Serves as legal advisor to regional field staff
Plans, directs, and conducts technical legal screening and provides case consultation to caseworkers andsupervisors to help prepare cases for termination of parental rights (TPR), to determine when cases are trial ready for TPR
Serves as Department liaison to judiciary, State’s Attorney’s Offices, and various court personnel in numerous counties in the region
Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, Department rules and policy, and all relevant law
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Benefits

A Pension Program
Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)