Departmental Specialist 13

Remote Jobs; Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Michigan’s Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – LARA is seeking a licensing subject matter expert to draft and promulgate administrative rules across multiple professions. You will coordinate rulemaking, advise on statutes, and lead rulemaking processes with public hearings and open meetings compliance.

The role requires strong legal research, expert knowledge of health and occupational licensing, and experience handling rulemaking documentation and interdepartmental coordination.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate is preferred.
• Legal research experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in any major.

Responsibilities

• Draft administrative rule language and related documents.
• Lead public rules committee work groups for proposed changes.
• Advise Bureau staff, leadership, and external agencies on statutes and rules.

Skills

Legal research

Rule drafting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Salary: $32.95 - $49.18 Hourly

Location : Lansing, MI

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 6401-26-BPL-021 DEPT SPL 13

Department: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - LARA

Opening Date: 11/10/2026

Closing Date: 12/1/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)

Job Description

The position serves as specialist for the Boards and Committees Section of the Bureau of Professional Licensing that is responsible for highly complex tasks pertaining to administrative rule drafting and promulgation for the professions regulated under the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 386 and the Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, 1969 PA 306. This position serves as a licensing subject matter legal expert in advising Bureau staff, department leadership, other state departments, bureaus, and agencies, external state licensing agencies, federal government agencies, regulatory boards, members of the legislature, professional associations (both statewide and national), licensees, lobbyists, and members of the general public of the statutes regulating the professions listed below and the requirements for the promulgation of the administrative rules; assures compliance with federal statutes and rules and state statutory requirements in the promulgation of the administrative rules; interprets federal statutes and rules, state statutes, and administrative rules that apply to health and occupational licensees;scheduling and leading public rules committee work groups to develop language for proposed changes to the administrative rules; independently drafting proposed rule language and the related documents associated with the rulemaking process (Request for Rulemaking; Regulatory Impact Statement and Cost-Benefit Analysis; Public Hearing Notice; Bureau's Summary of Public Hearing Comments; and the Agency Report to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR)); ensuring that the rules are legally compliant with statutory authority; conducting public hearings for the proposed rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, 1969 PA 306; reviewing and providing feedback on proposed legislation that impacts the statutes that govern the Bureau's regulated professions; attending JCAR hearings to answer any questions that the legislative committee may have about the Bureau's proposed rules sets; and ensuring that all board meetings comply with the Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267. This position is the recognized licensing subject matter expert responsible for serving as the Department Specialist/Staff Attorney for the following boards and professions: Acupuncture, Athletic Trainers, Barber Examiners, Cosmetology, Health Care Recovery Committee, Landscape Architects, Massage Therapy, Nursing Home Administrators, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Podiatry, Real Estate Appraisers, Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, Respiratory Care, Social Work, and Veterinary Medicine. This position also serves as the primary contract coordinator for the Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP) and is responsible for the Public Health Code General and Disciplinary Rules and the Occupational Code Renewals and Disciplinary Rules.

*Juris Doctorate is preferred*

Legal research experience preferred.

LARA is proud to be a Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.

For more information about our department, visit us at , , , and .

Experience and Education

Education

Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.

Experience

Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.

Additional Requirements and Information

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a copy of your official college transcript.

Special Requirements, Licenses, and Certifications

Equivalent combinations of nonprofessional experience, identified by the appointing authority and approved by Civil Service that are represented by subclass codes, will be accepted for classified, professional experience equivalent to the P11-level and above. The nonprofessional experience must be related to departmental programs and services that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Certain positions may be assigned subclass codes and individuals appointed must possess the required specialized experience.

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.

Rewarding Work

State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits

The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs

The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave

Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave

Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays

Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs

Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential

Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs

In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction

Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development

To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules

Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times

Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24