SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Essential Functions

• Serves as Senior Advisor to the Director for Special Projects
• Serves as liaison with leadership, private organizations, other state agencies, and the general public
• Plans, develops, and directs special Department programs as deemed necessary by the Director
• Serves as full line supervisor
• Plans, manages, and coordinates evaluations of Department and/or service provider programs and services
• Drafts suggested policy guides, procedures, standards, and other rule related documents
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires graduation from an accredited law school and possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers 4 years of professional experience conducting legal review of policies, procedures, contracts, agreements, and legislative or judicial initiatives or mandates for a public or business organization
• Prefers 4 years of professional experience conducting legal analysis and drafting legal documents and other legal work product for a public or business organization
• Prefers a high level of proficiency and experience with legal writing and written and verbal communication as evidenced by 2 years of experience in the composition of legal documents such as court filings, legal memos, contracts, and other legal agreements
• Prefers 4 years of professional experience conducting or managing complex, time-sensitive and/or confidential negotiations, strategy development, compliance and/or quality assurance activities in a public or business organization
• Prefers 2 years of professional experience serving as a representative of a public or business organization with external entities such as contractors, auditors, inspectors general, government officials, attorneys, and/or legislators
• Prefers 2 years of professional experience providing legal consultation and support for project management in a public or business organization

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to pass a background check.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. 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.
• 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.

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 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, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx