AREA ADMINISTRATOR

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 116,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services seeks a Special Assistant General Counsel to provide legal counsel to central office management and professional staff, with emphasis on licensing rules, statutes, and adoption and permanency matters.

The ideal candidate will graduate from an accredited law school, hold a valid Illinois license, and have several years of administrative law experience; the department offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the agency's central office management and professional staff.
• Provides advice and counsel to staff of the Division of Licensing regarding licensing rules, statutes, and procedures.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to program staff concerning adoptions, guardianship, permanency goals, and other initiatives.
• Provides legal counsel to professional staff concerning adoptions and permanency issues in developing case presentation and interpreting court orders, statutes, and regulations.
• Serves as a liaison and provides coordination with the Attorney General's Office regarding state level appellate cases involving the Department.
• Represents the Department in administrative hearings and licensing appeals involving adverse actions regarding a DCFS license.
• Reviews drafts and coordinates with staff the finalization of Department Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned within the scope of duties enumerated.

Skills

Legal research

Legal analysis

Oral advocacy

Regulatory compliance

Education

Law degree

Job description

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov. For more Information, Please See https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13712434.

• Job Requisition ID:58540
• Opening Date: 09/08/2026
• Closing Date:10/06/2026
• Agency:Department of Children and Family Services
• Class Title:PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015Skill Option:Special
• License - Illinois Law License
• Bilingual Option:None
• Salary:Anticipated Starting Salary $10,350 - $11,600/month
• Job Type:Salaried
• Category:Full Time
• County:Cook
• Number of Vacancies:1
• Bargaining Unit Code:None
• Merit Comp Code:Managerial Exclusion from RC010 Collective Bargaining

Coverage

• A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a detailed resume/CV to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you're helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you're part of something bigger, something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Special Assistant 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.

Essential Functions

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the agency's central office management and professional staff
• Provides advice and counsel to staff of the Division of Licensing regarding any and all questions on licensing rules, statutes, and procedures
• Provides legal advice and counsel to program staff concerning any and all questions on adoptions, guardianship,permanency goals, and other initiatives
• Provides legal counsel to professional staff concerning any and all questions on adoptions and permanencyissues in developing case presentation and interpreting court orders, statutes, and regulations
• Serves as a liaison and provides coordination with the Attorney Generals Office regarding state level appellatecases involving the Department
• Represents the Department in administrative hearings and licensing appeals which involve some adversedecision of actions regarding a DCFS license, such as revocation, placement hold, non-renewal, license denial, etc
• Reviews drafts and coordinates with staff the finalization of Department Intergovernmental Agreements andMemoranda of Understanding
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumeratedabove

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year of experience providing legal counsel regarding legislation, administrative rules, and procedures to a governmentalentity
• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney conducting legal analysis and legal research
• 1 year of professional experience as an attorney addressing licensing/regulatory violations and enforcement matters
• 1 year of professional experience as an attorney presenting and arguing legal cases in court or administrative hearings
• 3 years of professional experience as an attorney working in collaboration with various internal and external entities