Associate Legal Counsel

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Paid time off

11 paid holidays per year

Education and Development

Job summary

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth seeks an Associate Legal Counsel to guide contracting, procurement, and legal compliance, coordinating with DCY and the Attorney General’s Office. The role involves drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting legal research, and ensuring regulatory alignment across agency partners.

You will supervise staff, provide training on contracting practices, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to protect the agency and public interests.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or equivalent legal training required.
• Must obtain and maintain admission to the Ohio Bar.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating procurement-related contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal interpretation and counsel to DCY leadership.
• Interact with Ohio Attorney General’s Office and other agencies.
• Draft, review, and manage procurement-related contracts and documents.

Skills

Contract drafting

Legal research

Public records requests

Negotiation

Education

Admission to Ohio Bar

Job description

Job Description - Associate Legal Counsel (260006N8)

Associate Legal Counsel ( 260006N8 )

Organization

Department of Children and Youth

Agency Contact Name and Information : [e-mail]

Unposting Date

Sep 10, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Work Location

Children&Youth N. High Complex 246 North High Street Columbus 43215

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : Pay Range 15 -- Commensurate with experience

Ohio Department of Children and Youth 56 subscribers

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 Mon-Fri from 8:00am to 5:00pm, however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across DCY divisions.Employees may begin as early as 7:00am & as late as 9:00am, based on supervisory approval. This position performs work on-site daily at DCY’s office space.

Job Description

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.

Working Conditions and Requirements

• Travel required, as needed.
• Must provide own transportation, or possess a valid driver’s license to operate a state vehicle

Pay Information

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be step 1 of the salary range associated with this position. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Based on collective bargaining and legislative activity, there may be cost of living increases awarded annually. Additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

54 Months

66 Months

78 Months

Pay Range

Exempt/ 15

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

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

Background Check Information

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.

Status of posted positions

You can check the status of your application online be signing into your profile and clicking the “My Jobpage” tab to view completed submissions and submission details. If you have questions other than your applications status, please direct them to [e-mail].

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)

*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

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

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

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

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

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.