Special Counsel for Gun Strategy and Investigations (Grant-Funded)

Cook County • Chicago, IL

19d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief of Police, the Special Counsel for Gun Strategy and Investigations is responsible for managing all firearm restraining orders (FROs) filed by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, which includes notifying civilian and law enforcement of relevant court dates, reviewing orders, filing extensions, and assisting respondents upon expiration of orders to retrieve surrendered firearms. The Special Counsel will also advise the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on FROs petitioned by the office and keep track of all petitions filed. The Special Counsel will be responsible for other legal matters as directed by the Chief of Police and FRO Program Manager. The Special Counsel will notify and defer to the Cook County Sheriff’s General Counsel on any legal issues or process to ensure consistent and thorough legal counsel and action officewide.

Requirements

• Excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of the Illinois Firearm Restraining Order Act and Firearm Owner Identification Act.
• Intermediate proficiency in the use of office equipment, computers and data entry with the ability to apply these skills to his/her duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with others verbally and in writing with tact and courtesy.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with supervisors in a respectful, productive and succinct manner.
• Ability to track and measure activity and productivity.
• Excellent critical thinking, decision making and organizational skills.
• Ability to satisfactorily prepare and complete various reports.
• Ability to work well with others.
• Ability to work in close proximity with the justice-involved population.
• Knowledge of and ability to use sound judgment in identifying issues that may have a high-cost impact or legal implications for the organization, referring those issues to senior leadership.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to provide counsel to Chiefs, Department Heads and designees in a respectful and helpful manner.
• A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Member of the Illinois Bar or admission to the Illinois Bar within one year of hiring date.
• Ability to work within the Cook County Jail maximum, medium, and minimum-security divisions.

Nice To Haves

• Five (5) or more years of professional work experience working in the criminal justice system and/or participating in administrative or similar type hearings.
• Extensive knowledge of administration particularly within the context of a large county or municipal governmental setting.
• Engage in thorough legal research and apply legal principles to varied situations and issues in order to provide sound legal interpretation with significant attention to Administrative, Criminal, Tort, Civil Rights and Employment related litigation and matters affecting the day-to-day operation of the Sheriff’s Office.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Firearm Restraining Order Coordinator to manage all FRO petitions filed on behalf of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department.
• Notify civilians and law enforcement of court dates, and present FRO petitions and evidence during court hearings.
• Review compliance with all FRO orders and file extensions if necessary. Upon expiration of orders and compliance shown, will assist respondent with obtaining court order to retrieve surrendered firearms.
• Keep daily logs of all petitions filed, seizure orders and their returns, other relevant data and submit to the Firearm Restraining Order Coordinator and Data Coordinator/Analyst.
• Work with all members of the firearm restraining order program to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations regarding firearm restraining orders.
• Work with government and community stakeholders to improve implementation of FRO, Firearm Owners Identification (FOID), Concealed Carry License (CCL) and safe gun storage legislation to ensure their equitable and standard implementation.
• Respond to questions regarding firearm restraining laws and their impact on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, performing research into statutory and case law as necessary to advise the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in its day-to-day operations and policy decisions.
• Participate in a variety of boards, task forces, committees and professional groups as directed.
• Develop and manage any FRO related policy initiatives required by the Executive Office that has legal, statutory or criminal justice components.
• Make recommendations for operational and process changes related to FRO implementation to improve statutory compliance and ensure due process, and any constitutional mandates are sufficiently met.
• Review FRO-related policies and procedures relating to all CCSO operations and administrative procedure to ensure compliance with applicable contracts, local, state and federal laws.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure that the organization faithfully performs pursuant to federal, state, and local statutes, regulations and ordinances. Adhere to the code of ethics and professionalism.
• Complete any other legal matters as requested or directed by the General Counsel.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
• Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.
• Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.
• Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.
• Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.
• Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.
• Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree