Deputy Chief Legal Counsel/Attorney 5 (HYBRID) - 20058208

About Us:

The Mission of the Ohio Department of Commerce is promoting prosperity by protecting what matters most

The Division of Administration provides overall leadership and administrative support for all Divisions. The Division includes the Office of Director, Communications, Fiscal, Human Resources, IT, Legal and Legislative Affairs.

As the state’s chief regulator, the Department of Commerce impacts Ohioans every day. We are motivated by our mission to promote prosperity for businesses and licensees by protecting what matters most to the residents of our state. We ensure compliance through proactive outreach, education, and customer-focused service.

Commerce is comprised of eight operating divisions and two standalone programs that span a variety of industries including real estate, liquor, banking, securities, firefighting, construction and skilled trades, and cannabis control. Through exceptional compliance practices and oversight, Commerce has a direct role in protecting Ohioans.

Our Guiding Principles

Making an IMPACT for the customer:

• Inclusive

• Motivated

• Proactive

• Accountable

• Customer-Focused

• Teamwork

For Information on Benefits, please click here.

What You'll Do:

The Ohio Department of Commerce is seeking a Deputy Chief Legal Counsel with a primary focus on Contracts and Procurement. Your responsibilities will include:

• Drafting and reviewing contracts, inter-agency agreements, grants, requests for proposals, other legal agreements and procurement documents

• Negotiating contract terms with vendors and state and local entities, exercising legal judgment and a disciplined analytical approach

• Working closely with the Agency Procurement Officer and Chief Fiscal Officer on contracts and procurement matters

• Working collaboratively with other ODM staff and exercising judgment to elevate appropriate topics to Chief Legal Counsel and others.

• Drafting and reviewing Controlling Board submissions

• Providing legal advice and guidance regarding government procurement and contracting processes, rules and regulations

• Serving as a legal liaison to the Ohio Department of Administrative Services on procurement and contract issues

• Analyzing proposed and passed legislation and advising leadership on the impact

• Managing agency records retention schedules

• Responding to public records requests

• Researching and drafting legal opinions, memoranda and other legal documents

• Records retention

• Public records requests

• Legislative analysis

• Serving as back-up to Chief Legal Counsel in his or her absence

• Works with Division Counsel to assist with and provide guidance on sensitive issues
• Advising the Director and Assistant Director on contract and procurement issues

• Attending management and executive level meetings

• Drafting and/or reviewing agency rules and serving as a liaison with the Joint Commission on Agency Rule Review (JCARR)

• Participating in the biennial budget submission process

The preferred candidate will possess strong legal analysis skills, be detail oriented, and be able to work collaboratively and independently.

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave

11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney; 6 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Knowledge of law (i.e., procedural & substantive); legal research methods; legal writing; interviewing; laws, rules & procedures applicable to operations of employing agency; management*; supervisory principles/techniques; employee training & development. Ability to deal with large number of variables & determine specific course of action; organize & interpret extensive variety of legal material in books, journals or legal documents; communicate verbally regarding legal issues; handle sensitive contacts with government officials, adverse parties &/or general public; resolve complaints from angry citizens &/or government officials.

(*)Developed after employment.

Applications must clearly indicate how the applicant meets the minimum qualification for the position. If you meet minimum qualification due to educational achievement, please submit a copy of your unofficial transcript(s) with your application. All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by information provided in the work experience &/or education sections on your civil service application. Please do not use “see resume” as a substitution for the completed application; assumptions will not be made.

Application Status: You can check the status of your application online by signing into your profile. Careers to which you’ve applied will be listed. The application status is shown to the right of the position title and application submission details.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position, unless restricted under state or federal law or federal restrictions. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana. Also, an applicant with a positive test will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis).