Deputy General Counsel of Policy Initiatives (Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt 8L)

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date:  Dec 9, 2025
Location: 

Chicago, IL, US, 60607

Job Requisition ID:  52074

Job Requisition ID: GC52074 
Closing Date: 01/07/2026
​Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services

BPIS:
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070 
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary range $11,500 - $13,500/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code


A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application.  Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

 

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.

Position Overview:

 

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is seeking a mission-driven attorney excited to join its legal team as a Deputy General Counsel of Policy Initiatives. This position will partner with the General Counsel in providing strategic legal guidance to the agency in the face of a rapidly changing legal and policy framework for the agency’s medical and child support services programs. The position will provide the opportunity to analyze and spearhead solutions for difficult legal and policy questions, including by advising on federal compliance issues and collaborating on legislative initiatives. The ideal candidate will enjoy conducting legal analysis and providing legal advice in the fast-paced environment of State government leadership and will have the excellent interpersonal skills needed to successfully collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders from different backgrounds.    

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. 

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:

  • Monday-Friday work schedule
  • Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
  • Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
  • Pension Plan
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
  • Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
  • New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
  • Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
  • (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

 

If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.  It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement.  In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Essential Functions

  • Subject to the General Counsel’s approval, serves as Deputy General Counsel of Policy Initiatives at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and principal policy-formulating administrator for the HFS Office of General Counsel (OGC)
  • Serves as the lead legal analyst and spokesperson for the Office of General Counsel regarding legal analysis of proposed legislation that impacts the agency
  • Directly supports the General Counsel in management of the HFS Office of General Counsel
  • Develops, drafts, negotiates, and reviews vendor contracts, interagency agreements, and procurement documents needed to design, achieve, or protect critical Department policy initiatives
  • Serves as full-line supervisor
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the General Counsel, the attorneys and staff of the Office of the General Counsel and other stakeholders
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires graduation from a recognized law school
  • Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois
  • Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible legal experience in a public or private organization

Preferred Qualifications

  • Six (6) years of experience as a practicing attorney
  • Two (2) years of experience practicing law in a government setting
  • Two (2) years of legal experience negotiating, drafting, or advising on legislation
  • Two (2) years of experience supervising other attorneys
  • One (1) year serving as a judicial clerk
  • Two (2) years of experience as an attorney resolving legal disputes through litigation, negotiation, mediation, or settlement

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
  • Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
  • Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
  • This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring
    the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.)
    requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary
    of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of
    Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics
    Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings
    • The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description

Work Hours:  Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
Headquarter Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607 
Work County: Cook
Email: HFS.DPASApps@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Chicago