Role Overview:

This role serves as a key legal advisor to agency leadership, independently managing a wide range of assignments and delivering high-quality work within established deadlines. The position provides legal opinions; drafts and reviews contracts, policies, rules, and legislation; and supports procurement, ethics, administrative law, and public records compliance. It collaborates closely with legislative staff, oversees agency litigation in coordination with the Attorney General or outside counsel, and ensures accurate, timely responses to public access inquiries. Additionally, the role contributes to training efforts, monitors outside legal services, and keeps agency leadership informed of legal developments impacting operations.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Direct and oversee all Legal Division staff members and division workflow and projects.
• Prepare and render legal opinions to the agency's leadership and management teams, as requested.
• Provide legal assistance in the drafting of legal documents, agency policy, rules and regulations, resolutions, and other legal or related papers upon request.
• Provide legal assistance in drafting of legislation impacting the agency.
• Work with the Legislative Director on legislative matters as directed, including providing legal analysis of pending legislation.
• Advise staff concerning agency matters.
• Conduct legal research and prepares reports of various topics as requested by the Commissioner and management team.
• Review contracts as requested.
• Manage agency litigation and coordinates legal matters with outside counsel.
• Monitor legal services provided to the agency by outside counsel.
• Assist Ethics Officer for the agency.
• Assist the General Counsel to keep assigned agency informed and up to date regarding any matters that are likely to have a significant impact upon the agency.
• Provide reports regarding matters within the responsibilities that are appropriate for public discussion.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Advanced knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures and precedents.
• Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
• Thorough knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.
• Thorough knowledge of principles, theories, and practices of budget management.
• Ability to supervise others by assigning/directing work. conducting employee evaluations, staff training and development, taking appropriate disciplinary/corrective actions, making hiring/termination recommendations.
• Must possess excellent writing and communication skills and be able to present ideas and opinions clearly in verbal, written and electronic form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow agency employees.
• Ability to treat all state employees with courtesy and respect.
• Ability to create, maintain and improve the culture of teamwork, excellent customer service and cost-effective use of the people's resources.
• Ability to discharge all job responsibilities with integrity.
• Doctorate of Jurisprudence and 5+ years of experience with Admission to the Indiana State Bar.
• Must have at least 5 years practicing law at a municipal, county, or federal government agency or entity.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent legal research and writing skills, and an understanding of statutory construction.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

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