ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - REHABILITATION SERVICES - 81154

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Tennessee, Department of Human Services, seeks an Associate Counsel in the Office of General Counsel to provide legal advice for Rehabilitation Services and related programs in a hybrid Nashville, TN setting. The role emphasizes research, legislative analysis, and collaboration with senior counsel.

Active Tennessee bar admission is required, with strong writing and analytical skills. Occasional travel across Tennessee and dedication to the department's mission are expected.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Tennessee is required.
• Experience with disability rehabilitation policy or government agency legal work is preferred.
• Strong research and writing skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Consult with DHS staff on legal issues involving Rehabilitation Services and related programs.
• Assist in identifying and analyzing legislation impacting the Department and help draft and promulgate Department rules.
• Collaborate with Legislative Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on legal writing and research projects.
• Perform legal research of federal and state law and prepare memoranda for DHS program staff.
• Work effectively with non-legal staff, manage duties timely and accurately, and be self-directed.

Skills

Legal research

Legislation analysis

Disability policy

MS Word & Excel

Collaborative work

Travel willingness

Job description

Executive Service

Closing Date: 10/12/2026

This is a hybrid position

Associate Counsel - Rehabilitation Services

Department of Human Services

Asst Comm General Counsel-HRPD

Nashville, TN

Annual Salary: $103,440.00 - $134,244.00

Closing Date: 10/12/2026

This is a hybrid position

DHS Mission

Who we are and what we do:

Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans

DHS Vision

To revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency.

DHS Values

• High Performance
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• A shared Vision
• Customer-Centered Solutions

Background Check

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

How You Make a Difference In This Role

The Associate Counsel will also support other program areas and internal support divisions within DHS, as well as assist the DHS Legislative Counsel, as needed. The position is Executive Service.The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice to DHS programs and support divisions, legal representation in judicial and administrative litigation affecting the department, prepares departmental rules, and prepares legislation for and analysis of legislation affecting the Department.

Job Overview

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently seeking experienced candidates for Associate Counsel in the DHS Office of General Counsel (OGC). The Associate Counsel will be primarily responsible for providing legal advice and research to DHS Rehabilitation Services program staff, which may include limited litigation, primarily in administrative forums.

Key Responsibilities

• The Associate Counsel will primarily be responsible for consulting with DHS staff regarding legal issues and matters involving Rehabilitation Services and Tennessee Business Enterprises, as well as other legal matters for other program areas, as assigned.
• The Associate Counsel will also be responsible for assisting the Senior Associate/Legislative Counsel with identifying and analyzing legislation impacting the Department and with the preparation and promulgation of Department rules, as assigned.
• The Associate Counsel will also work directly with the Legislative Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on legal writing and research projects as assigned.
• The position requires legal research of federal and state law, regulations, and case law on multiple issues and the preparation of memoranda advising OGC and DHS program staff on issues affecting agency and program operations.
• The Associate Counsel must be able to collaborate effective with non-legal staff, perform assigned duties in a timely and accurate manner, produce accurate and thorough professional legal work, and be self-directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Active License to practice law in Tennessee is required.

Preferred Skills

• Disability rehabilitation policy and practice; social services programs;
• government agency legal work, including general procurement/contract matters; administrative law; and/or administrative litigation.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Candidate must be able to work cooperatively with Department program staff in diverse areas and be willing to work extra hours and days as necessary.
• Candidate must be willing to travel (throughout the state of Tennessee) on occasion.
• Ability to make timely and effective decisions in keeping with the goals and mission of the Department.
• No prior or pending disciplinary actions with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.