Entry Level General Counsel & Secretary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Special Assistant to the General Counsel.  DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program.  The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership and communication capabilities.  We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

• Serves as Special Assistant to the General Counsel
• Serves as Special Assistant Attorney General, providing legal research, analysis, advice, and consultation on major federal litigation involving the Department
• Represents the Department in the circuit court of Cook County in mental health court petitions involving youth in care
• Devises and identifies legal strategies and advises on associated risks
• Serves as the agency liaison to the Child Welfare Litigation Bureau, functioning as the point person for questions, issues, discovery meetings, or other matters
• Provides input and assistance to the General Counsel in general law matters
• Provides input into various committees involving outside groups, as designated by the General Counsel
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

• Requires graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
• Requires three years of administrative experience in the practice of law

• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney in civil litigation, class action litigation, or in government agencies
• 1 year of experience as an attorney in cases involving child welfare or juvenile law.
• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney conducting legal analysis.
• 3 years of substantive legal writing experience as an attorney in the areas of motions, pleadings, briefs, and memoranda.
• 3 years of professional experience working in a liaison capacity with various internal and external entities.

• 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.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

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.aspx