SENIOR REGIONAL COUNSEL

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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at  or call for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary ; Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary ; To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Location:  Chicago, IL, US, 60612
Job Requisition ID:  37144
Agency:  Department of Children and Family Services 
Title: Public Service Administrator Option 8L (Senior Regional Counsel)
Closing Date/Time:  05/22/2024 
Supervisor: Faith Wynn Seals
Agency Contact:  Michael Bernardy/
Salary:  Anticipated Starting Salary $7,875 - $9,583/month 
Job Type:  Salaried 
County:  Cook 
Number of Vacancies:  3 
Plan/BU:  None 

****************A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****************

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document that is not a Resume or CV.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results-oriented individual to serve as Senior Regional position will represent the Department in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The position will also provide legal advice and counsel to professional staff in various divisions of the Department and will represent the Department in various civil and administrative position is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to use their skills as an attorney to benefit child welfare services. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent legal and organizational skills and strong leadership capabilities. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join our innovative team to help make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Job Responsibilities

1. Serves as a Senior Regional Counsel
2. Provides legal advice and counsel to professional staff in various divisions of the Department
3. Serves as Department representative at all levels of administrative “fair hearings”
4. Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, Department rules and policy, and all relevant law
5. Provides legal training to Department administrators, supervisors, and staff on various topics including testifying in court
6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois
2. Requires three years of experience as an attorney presenting and arguing cases in court and/or administrative hearings
3. Requires experience as an attorney in cases involving child welfare or juvenile law

Preferred Qualifications

1. Thorough knowledge of Illinois statutes and rules that have a substantial impact on Illinois juvenile court proceedings and/or DCFS’s administrative hearings
2. Substantive legal writing experience as an attorney in the areas of motions, pleadings, briefs, and memoranda
3. Professional experience working in a liaison capacity with various internal and external entities

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires the ability to pass a background check
2. Requires possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to travel

About the Agency

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.

Work Hours:  Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm 
Work Location: 2245 W Ogden Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60612 
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance 

Revolving Door:

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.

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:

Nearest Major Market: Chicago

Salary

Company info

IL Department of Children and Family Services

Company Profile

About the Agency: 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.