Senior Special Projects Counsel (Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt. 8L)

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is seeking to hire qualified candidates for the position of Senior Special Projects Counsel. This role provides legal counsel for the State’s lead information technology (IT) agency, working with DoIT's Legal team to offer specialized legal advice on IT contracting, AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills, excellent written/oral communication abilities, an extensive understanding of governing laws, rules, and policies, and the capacity to multitask in a fast-paced setting. This position requires strong collaborative abilities, as it involves close work with agency senior leadership, business teams, vendors, procurement staff, opposing counsel, security staff, and DoIT’s client agencies. The role routinely handles sensitive subject matter and demands a strong commitment to confidentiality. This position serves as the Senior Special Projects Counsel for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), acting as legal advisor for DoIT Information Technology (IT) functions across all agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction. It provides technical advice and legal policy determinations on complex IT legal matters related to the agency’s operations, with a focus on complex IT contracting, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, intellectual property, and data sharing and privacy. The role also advises the General Counsel and Chief AI Officer on AI compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including privacy, civil rights, and algorithmic transparency requirements, supporting initiatives for algorithmic transparency and explainability. Under the General Counsel's direction, the position serves as the subject matter legal advisor for data sharing, privacy, and protection. It conducts and directs technical and specialized legal work within DoIT's authority and related policy/regulatory matters, often highly sensitive and controversial. The position also serves as a full-line supervisor and assists the General Counsel in preparing training for internal and client agency legal teams on AI, cybersecurity, data privacy, IT contracting, and emerging technologies. Other duties as required or assigned are also part of this role.

Requirements

Requires a law degree.
Requires a license to practice law in the State of Illinois.
Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible transactional and administrative experience in the practice of law, preferably in the areas of Information Technology Contracts, including SaaS Agreements, Software Licensing, and Data Sharing Agreements, Information Technology Purchasing, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, Emerging Technologies, or directly related fields.
Requires two (2) years of professional experience in advising on strategic planning and developing and implementing IT policies and procedures related to AI, data privacy, IT contracting, or directly related areas.
Requires the ability to verify identity.
Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full-time position with State of Illinois.
Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check.
Requires self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties.
Requires the ability to work outside of normal hours to meet deadlines.
Requires the ability to maintain an active and valid Illinois Law License in accordance with state and/or federal regulations. Failure to maintain the required licensure may result in termination of employment.
Requires adherence to the revolving door restrictions outlined in 5 ILCS 430/5-45.
Requires compliance with the provisions outlined in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, necessitating the occupant of this position to file of a Statement of Economic Interest.

Nice To Haves

Four (4) years of professional legal experience drafting, reviewing, advising on, and negotiating contracts related to information technology (IT) products and services, including contracts involving licensing terms, cloud-based/Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreements, or other similar agreements, including serving as lead counsel in complex negotiations.
Three (3) years of professional experience working on matters involving AI, cybersecurity, intellectual property, or data privacy, including advising on compliance with federal, state, and local laws and supporting the development of implementation of AI governance frameworks, policies or standards.
Three (3) years of professional legal experience serving as in-house counsel in a private or public setting to provide legal analysis, policy determinations and strategic guidance to executive leadership; advising non-legal staff, technical personnel, or business units; exercising independent judgement on complex or sensitive legal matters; and supervising or leading professional staff, including assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and making recommendations regarding discipline or staffing needs.
Three (3) years of professional procurement-related experience in the public or private sector.
Two (2) years of professional legal experience in matters involving administrative law, regulatory law, legislation, or rulemaking, including analyzing statutes and drafting, interpreting, or advising on rules, regulations or formal legal interpretations.
Two (2) years of professional experience evaluating privacy trends such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and federal and state data protection laws and strengthening privacy governance and accountability.
Three (3) years of professional experience handling cybersecurity incidents and events involving data classified as high risk, such as electronic protected health information (ePHI), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Federal Tax Information (FTI), Criminal Justice Information (CJI), and Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Ability to analyze and diagnose administrative issues and coordinate efforts to resolve, including experience addressing complex or sensitive matters requiring cross-functional or multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Developed verbal and written communication skills to present technical information with clarity and precision.
Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) Certification.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Senior Special Projects Counsel for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), serving as legal advisor for DoIT Information Technology (IT) functions of all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor.
Provides technical advice and legal policy determinations on complex IT legal matters relating to the agency’s operations with a focus on complex IT contracting, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, intellectual property, and data sharing and privacy.
Advises the General Counsel and Chief AI Officer on AI compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including privacy, civil rights, and algorithmic transparency requirements supporting initiatives for algorithmic transparency and explainability.
Serves as the subject matter legal advisor regarding data sharing, privacy, and protection under the direction of the General Counsel.
Conducts and directs technical and specialized legal work in the areas of DoIT authority and related policy/regulatory matters, often highly sensitive and controversial.
Serves as full-line supervisor.
Assists the General Counsel in the preparation of training for internal and client agency legal teams related to AI, cybersecurity, data privacy, IT contracting, and emerging technologies.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Benefits

Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans
Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position)
10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year
3 paid personal business days per year
13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years
12 weeks of paid parental leave
Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility