CPO-GS Assistant General Counsel

Position Overview

The Chief Procurement Officer for General Services (CPO-GS) seeks a detail-oriented, critical-thinking, organized, excellent writer, and problem-solver to provide legal advice and counsel to the Independent Chief Procurement Officer and her staff. As Assistant General Counsel,  you will be part of a small, dedicated staff that assist in ensuring agencies under the CPO-GS jurisdiction lawfully and ethically procure products and services. This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the State procurement process while helping to ensure compliance and efficiency in government purchasing.

The CPO-GS ensures that more than $7 billion in procurements under its jurisdiction are fair, transparent, accountable and in the best interest of the State.  The CPO-GS is under the umbrella of the Executive Ethics Commission (EEC), a nine-member commission that promotes transparency, fairness, and integrity by facilitating compliance and enforcement of the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act. The EEC appoints the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), subject to Senate confirmation, and provides staff and other support in furtherance of the independent procurement role of the CPO. The staff members of the CPO-GS are dedicated public servants focused on providing exceptional service and valuable results to the agencies and people we serve.

Responsibilities

• Research legal issues and provide legal analysis, advice, and counsel to the General Counsel for CPO-GS on legal matters relevant to the Illinois Procurement Code; the CPO-GS’ administrative rules; additional procurement-related statutes, regulations, policies, procedures, and bills; the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act; the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); other laws and regulations; reviews and drafts contracts for the CPO-GS,  and other issues pertaining to the functioning of the CPO-GS. Drafts legal memoranda and briefs.
• Review protests; draft recommended protest determinations for protests for the CPO’s consideration; and communicate with protestors, agencies, and interested parties. May be appointed as a Protest Review Officer as appropriate and necessary.
• Act as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer for the CPO-GS. Reviews FOIA request received by CPO-GS and prepares responses.
• Conducts hearings on behalf of, or at the direction of, the CPO-GS and prepares recommended decisions.
• Provides litigation support and coordination with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.
• Helps coordinate litigation-related activities for general matters involving CPOs and their respective staffs.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Required Education and Experience

• Possess a Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois
• 3+ years of legal experience in a single or combination of the following settings: law firm, government, higher education, corporate, or other complex organization
• 1+ years of experience in responding to FOIA requests
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external constituencies
• Experience conducting legal research and analysis

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience with government procurement, conflict of interest and other ethics‐related laws, and other areas of administrative law
• Experience in reviewing, drafting, and filing administrative rules
• Experience in reviewing and drafting contracts
• Working knowledge of the functions of state government and the character of relationships between the branches of State government, among State agencies and officers, and between the State and other levels of government
• Demonstrated interest in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to public service

Office Information

The Assistant General Counsel works collaboratively, interacting with state employees and the public via email, telephone, video conferencing, and in person. The work location is an office setting, requiring business casual or business attire. This position will either be at the Chief Procurement Office for General Services inside the Jefferson Terrace Building, 300 W. Jefferson St., Suite 202B in Springfield, Illinois, or 555 W. Monroe in Chicago, Illinois.

Work Hours

This is a full-time position with a work week consisting of 37 ½ hours per work during normal business hours.

Benefits

This position is eligible to be a member of the State of Illinois Group Insurance program which includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage options. Additionally, this position will annually accrue 12 paid sick days, a minimum of 10 paid vacation days, 6 paid personal days, and be afforded 13 paid state holidays, prorated based on start date.

How to Apply

For full consideration, a current resume and letter of interest explaining experience, coursework, and training qualifications as they relate to this position shall be submitted through the Work for Illinois job posting on or before 5/1/2025

Employees of the Chief Procurement Officer for General Services report to and work for the CPO.  The four Chief Procurement Officers are under the umbrella of the Executive Ethics Commission, which provides administrative support services, including payroll, to the CPOs and their staff.  The Executive Ethics Commission is responsible for appointing Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) subject to Senate confirmation. The CPOs are subject-matter experts on procurement and maintain their independence on procurement decisions as set forth in the procurement code.

Revolving Door:

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.