Associate Legal Counsel

State of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 92,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Paid time off

11 paid holidays per year

Education and Development

Public Retirement Systems

Optional Deferred Compensation

Job summary

The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) of the State of Ohio in Columbus is seeking a legal and administrative leader to oversee contracting and procurement with a focus on legal risk mitigation and compliance. You will draft, review, and manage procurement contracts, coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office, and guide staff through training and policy changes.

You will supervise, hire decisions, and work on-site Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m., contributing to agency operations and public

Qualifications

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal interpretation, guidance, and counsel to DCY leadership and program staff on matters affecting agency operations and assigned program areas.
• Serve as DCY’s legal liaison with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and other outside entities.
• Represent DCY in legal proceedings, hearings, and related processes.
• Research and draft legal opinions, orders, memoranda, and other documents related to assigned program areas.
• Analyze, interpret, draft, and review legislation, administrative rules, rule packages, agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
• Analyze, draft, and edit Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Grant Applications (RFGAs), and other procurement documents.
• Collaborate with DCY staff to retrieve responsive records for public records requests, review/draft legal responses, and ensure timely replies.
• Provide training and guidance to internal staff, including leadership, management, and lower-level attorneys.
• Respond to legal inquiries from the public and government officials.
• Represent DCY at meetings, conferences, trainings, and seminars.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts and contribute to general departmental operations.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, and other documents; maintain logs, records, and files.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Education

Ohio Bar admission

Job description

All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.

Organization:

Children and Youth

Agency Contact Name and Information:

[e-mail]

Work Location:

246 North High Street

Columbus, Ohio, 43215

United States

Compensation:

Pay Range 15 -- Commensurate with experience

Schedule:

Permanent - Full Time

Work Hours:

Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

Classified Indicator:

Unclassified

Union:

Exempt from union

Primary Job Skill:

Attorney/Legal

Who We Are

Our mission is to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention, quality education, and family support programs. At DCY, we offer our employees a rewarding work experience in public service helping Ohioans achieve a sustainable lifestyle that includes generous benefit options and a flexible work life balance making our agency a great place to work! To learn more about DCY, please visit our website at Department of Children and Youth | Ohio.gov.

Location Requirements

DCY’s core hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across DCY divisions. Employees may begin as early as 7:00 a.m. and as late as 9:00 a.m., based on supervisory approval. This position performs work on-site daily at DCY’s office space.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you serve as a legal and administrative leader for DCY’s contracting and procurement work, with a focus on mitigating legal risks and maintaining legal compliance. Your day-to-day responsibilities involve planning, directing, and coordinating a wide range of technical and non-technical procurement and contracting activities. These activities often have legal impacts that reach beyond DCY to other state agencies, local jurisdictions, and private-sector partners. A typical day may include drafting, reviewing, and managing procurement-related contracts and documents; conducting legal research; assisting with public records requests; coordinating with DCY Legal and Legislative teams on matters affecting the agency; acting as a key collaborator with other state agencies and outside entities; and working with the Attorney General’s Office on cases or matters affecting DCY. You work closely with program offices to determine the correct type of agreements based on funding sources, service needs, and legal requirements. You also play a major role in staff development related to contracting—helping create training materials, presenting at annual agreement manager training sessions, and ensuring staff understand new requirements or changes. Supervision is a significant part of the position. You assign work, set expectations, evaluate performance, and coach staff. You also have input in hiring decisions and handle leave approvals, disciplinary recommendations, and regular team meetings. On the external side, you frequently negotiate alternative terms directly with vendors or legal representatives from other agencies. You prepare performance-based reports on the agency’s contracting program and recommend policy or procedural adjustments to improve efficiency or compliance. You also prepare formal correspondence for senior leadership.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal interpretation, guidance, and counsel to DCY leadership and program staff on matters affecting agency operations and assigned program areas.
• Serve as DCY’s legal liaison with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and other outside entities.
• Represent DCY in legal proceedings, hearings, and related processes.
• Research and draft legal opinions, orders, memoranda, and other documents related to assigned program areas.
• Analyze, interpret, draft, and review legislation, administrative rules, rule packages, agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
• Analyze, draft, and edit Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Grant Applications (RFGAs), and other procurement documents.
• Collaborate with DCY staff to retrieve responsive records for public records requests, review/draft legal responses, and ensure timely replies.
• Provide training and guidance to internal staff, including leadership, management, and lower-level attorneys.
• Respond to legal inquiries from the public and government officials.
• Represent DCY at meetings, conferences, trainings, and seminars.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts and contribute to general departmental operations.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, and other documents; maintain logs, records, and files.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Pay Information

Months of Employment At Hire 6 Months 18 Months 30 Months 42 Months 54 Months 66 Months 78 Months

Ray Range Exempt/ 15 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7

Hourly $44.38 $46.88 $49.52 $52.24 $55.15 $58.16 $60.55 $63.41

Annual $92,310 $97,510 $103,002 $108,659 $114,712 $120,973 $125,944 $131,893

Additional Information

Visa Sponsorship

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.

Supplemental Questions

All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will not be considered as part of your application.

Selection Process

Selection devices such as a structured interview, proficiency instrument, and/or assessment may be required for this position. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency with a passing score of applicable selection device to be considered for this position. Regardless of a passing or failing score, all results will be maintained for 6 months.

Applicants with a passing score will be retained and utilized for a 6-month period. Applicants with a failing score in the same position may not retake the same selection device for a 6-month period.

Travel Requirements

Travel required, as needed. Must provide own transportation or in order to operate a state vehicle, you must have a valid driver’s license.

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

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
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

ADA Statement

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.

Drug-Free Workplace

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.