Deputy Chief Legal Counsel/Privacy Officer/FOIA Counsel

Agency: Department of Corrections
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070 
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License 
Bilingual Option: None 
Closing Date/Time: 12/27/2024
Salary: Dependent upon qualifications (pay range $8,486-$14,668/mth; $101,832- $175,980/yr)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: None

****************A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****************

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document that is not a Resume or CV.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
 

This position is to serve as the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel/Privacy Officer/FOIA Counsel (Senior Public Service Administrator Option 8L) for the IL Department of Corrections.

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced legal professional to serve as the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel/Privacy Officer/FOIA Counsel. This pivotal role provides leadership in managing and overseeing critical legal and compliance functions within the IDOC. The position offers a dynamic work environment that combines legal expertise, supervisory responsibilities, and policy development. If you are a dedicated legal professional with a passion for public service, we invite you to apply and make a difference in Illinois’ correctional system. This is more than a job; it’s a chance to lead, innovate, and contribute to meaningful change.

Essential Functions

• Subject to approval of the Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), serves as Privacy Officer for the IDOC.
• Serves as the Department's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Subpoena Counsel.
• Serves as a full-line supervisor.
• Implements and revises all policies and procedures for the Department related to handling Protected Health Information under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), the Personal Information Protection Act, HIPAA, and the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Act.
• Serves as a liaison between the Department and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience performing legal work as a licensed attorney in a public or business organization.
• Requires a law degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Requires the possession of a license to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least four (4) years of civil litigation experience handling federal, state, or administrative proceedings.
• Prefers at least four (4) years of experience drafting legal memoranda, briefs, or pleadings.
• Prefers at least two (2) of professional experience working with laws, policies, or regulations for a corrections agency.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience managing attorneys and support staff.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience developing litigation strategy, settlement, and appeal posture in designated significant civil actions.
• Prefers at least four (4) years of experience conducting legal research.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience working in a large agency or organization.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience in handling constitutional or administrative law.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of professional experience working with laws, policies, or regulations for a corrections agency.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience utilizing Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, or similar software products.

Employment Conditions

• Requires possession of a current, active license to practice law in the State of Illinois.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
• Requires use of agency-supplied equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.).
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours:  8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
Work Location: 555 West Monroe Street, Chicago IL 60661 
Agency Contact:  Lisa.Devert@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance; Leadership & Management 

Agency Statement:

The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion.  This commitment is at the forefront of our operations, hiring, policies and procedures, and training. We recognize the benefit of workplace empowerment, the importance of diversity and fully support an environment where ALL employees are treated fairly, respectfully, and have equal access to opportunities and resources necessary to thrive and contribute to the agency’s success. IDOC genuinely values the differences of individuals in our custody and is committed to ensuring a healthy living environment where they feel valued, respected, and included.

Through our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we shall establish and uphold agency policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender, and religious oppression.

The IDOC team works to serve justice in Illinois and increase public safety by promoting positive change in behavior of individuals in custody, operating successful reentry programs, and reducing victimization.

Employees enjoy excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement plan and deferred compensation; state holidays and other benefit time off; tuition reimbursement; and pre-tax benefit programs. The department also offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities.

The Illinois Department of Corrections is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Revolving Door:

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to thisposition.  As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

Beneftis:

As a IDOC employee, you are entitled to a robust benefits package that includes:

• Flexible work schedules in some program areas (flexible time and hybrid options)

• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan – vesting at 10 years for Tier II
• Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefits programs
• Paid state holidays 13-14 days annually
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, sick, and vacation rates modified for 12-hour work schedules. (As applicable.)
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
• For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx