Legal Consultant

State of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Ohio, Department of Behavioral Health, is seeking an experienced attorney to provide employment and labor law guidance. You will analyze federal and state law, advise agency leadership, HR, and program administration on risk and compliance, and serve as the legal representative on statewide initiatives.

You will review legislation and regulations, direct opinions and contracts, and coordinate with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on complex matters.

Qualifications

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to section 4705.01 of Revised Code
• 18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney
• 6 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques

Responsibilities

• Researches, analyzes, and interprets federal and state employment laws.
• Advises agency leadership, HR, and program administration on legal risk and compliance.
• Serves as DBH legal representative on statewide and multi-agency workgroups and policy committees.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory actions affecting employment and labor operations.
• Directs preparation and reviews legal documentation, including legal opinions, memoranda, and contracts.
• Exercises independent judgment on complex legal issues and liaises with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on assigned matters.
• Coordinates with the agency’s legislative liaison regarding employment-related statutory and rule changes.
• Participates in pre-trial conferences; reviews case documentation; assesses legal risk; and develops recommendations regarding settlement, resolution, or appeal.

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Job description

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

Organization: Behavioral Health

Work Location: 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor Columbus, Ohio, 43215 United States

Compensation: $44.38/hr.

Schedule: Permanent - Full Time

Work Hours: M-F 8am-5pm, hours may vary

Classified Indicator: Unclassified

Union: Exempt from union

Primary Job Skill: Attorney/Legal

Who We Are

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

What You’ll Do

Employment & Labor Law Consultation

• Researches, analyzes, and interprets federal and state employment laws.
• Advises agency leadership, HR, and program administration on legal risk and compliance.

Statewide & Multi-Agency Initiatives

• Serves as DBH legal representative on statewide and multi-agency workgroups and policy committees.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory actions affecting employment and labor operations.

Lead Attorney & Legal Oversight

• Directs preparation and reviews legal documentation, including legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, and contracts.
• Exercises independent judgment on complex legal issues and serves as liaison with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on assigned employment and labor matters.
• Coordinates with the agency’s legislative liaison regarding employment-related statutory and rule changes.

Litigation & Administrative Proceedings

• Participates in pre-trial conferences; reviews case documentation; assesses legal risk; and develops recommendations regarding settlement, resolution, or appeal.
• Ensures consistency with agency policy and DAS standards in the development and management of case materials.

This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units, with a pay range of 15 on the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (Flexible Schedule).

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Additional Information

Additional preferred qualifications: 3+ years of employment litigation experience, 5+ years advising and providing expert legal guidance, to include: analyzing complex legal issues, researching legislation, advising on legal rights, obligations, and potential liability.

This position is unclassified per 124.11 (A) (9), Ohio Revised Code.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this 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.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at [e-mail] or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this classification will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

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 18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney 6 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques.

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.