Deputy General Counsel

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Education (DOE):

The Indiana Department of Education provides innovative support to Indiana schools, teachers, students, and parents. We proactively work with educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community-based organizations to build student success. Our strategic priorities include:

• Delivering quality, purposeful educational opportunities for each student.
• Elevating and supporting Indiana’s educators.
• Increasing partnerships and delivering aligned, effective, and efficient support.

Role Overview:

The Office of the Secretary of Education has consolidated the legal departments of its eight agencies into one team housed in the Indiana Department of Education. This position will be a Deputy General Counsel responsible, with the General Counsel, for advising six of the agencies reporting to the Secretary: the Indiana Charter School Board, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board, the Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, the Indiana School for the Deaf, and the Indiana State Library. Practice areas include state/federal higher education/K-12 law, education labor law, and board/commission governance, among others. An ideal candidate will have or develop subject matter expertise in such areas and is attentive to detail, a quick study, approachable, and able to effectively counsel executives and front-line staff alike.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Assist the General Counsel to keep assigned agencies informed and up to date regarding any matters that are likely to have a significant impact upon the agencies.
• Prepare and render legal opinions to agency leadership, management teams, and front-line staff on agency matters.
• Provide legal assistance in the drafting of legal documents, agency policy, rules and regulations, resolutions, contracts, and other legal or related papers.
• Work with the legislative team on legislative matters as directed, including providing legal analysis of pending legislation, and legal assistance in drafting legislation, impacting the agencies.
• Conduct legal research and prepare reports of various topics as requested, both for internal use and for external publication.
• Assist/serve as the Ethics Officer for assigned agencies.
• Other duties as assigned, in conjunction with the General Counsel.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

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.

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 to401(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
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at View email address on click.appcast.io.