Deputy General Counsel, Labor & Employment

About the role

The Office of General Counsel of the Illinois Department of Human Services is hiring a Deputy General Counsel for Labor & Employment in Chicago. The position reports to the Chief Deputy General Counsel for Operations and provides timely, accurate legal advice to DHS staff on labor and employment issues, including the ADA, FMLA, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, accommodations, leaves of absence, discipline, hiring and immigration. It is a full-time, salaried position with an anticipated hybrid schedule.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as Deputy General Counsel for Labor & Employment and act as a full-line supervisor.
• Contribute substantially to developing and implementing policies and procedures on labor relations, employment law and personnel matters.
• Advise management on labor relations and personnel issues.
• Act as staff attorney to the Offices of Human Resources and Labor Relations.
• Assist the General Counsel and Chief Deputy General Counsel in running the Office of General Counsel.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the role.

Required profile

• A law degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• A license to practice law in Illinois.
• Four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.
• Valid driver's license, ability to travel and to work overtime.
• Term appointment of 4 years, renewable at the Director's discretion; subject to revolving-door restrictions and a Statement of Economic Interest.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience litigating employment matters in federal or state courts, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the Illinois Civil Service Commission or the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.
• Experience advising management on labor, employment, employee benefits and immigration matters.
• Experience advising on employee accommodations, family and medical leave, military leave and employee discipline.
• Experience advising on merit-system personnel regulations and drafting employee handbooks and internal policies.

What we offer

• Anticipated salary of $11,434-$13,166 per month ($137,208-$157,992 per year).
• Pension program and competitive group insurance (health, life, dental, vision).
• 12 paid sick days, 13 paid holidays, 10-25 vacation days and 3 personal business days.
• Flexible schedules, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and deferred compensation program.
• Pre-tax programs, GI Bill benefits for veterans, bilingual salary differential and commuter savings program (Chicago only).

Applicants are asked to submit a detailed resume or CV through the online application.