PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - IMPLEMENTATION AND LITIGATION COUNSEL
Springfield, IL, US, 62702
Job Requisition ID: 60073
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary $8571 - $9700/month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Managerial Exclusion from RC010 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: AGR.HumanResources@illinois.gov
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
Join the Illinois Department of Agriculture's growing legal team in a newly created leadership role. Reporting to the General Counsel, this position will supervise an attorney and paralegal while leading litigation support, policy implementation, and compliance initiatives.
The successful candidate will serve as the Department's primary liaison to the Office of the Attorney General, oversee litigation-related matters, and guide operational changes driven by new laws, audit findings, and court decisions. This role is ideal for a proactive attorney who enjoys solving complex problems, developing new processes, leading staff, and making a meaningful impact on agency operations.
This position offers the opportunity to help build and shape a growing legal function within a collaborative team environment, with hybrid work options available after successful completion of the probationary period, subject to operational needs.
Essential Functions
- Representing the Illinois Department of Agriculture's General Counsel, serves as the Implementation and Litigation Counsel.
- Organizes, plans, evaluates, and executes the legal framework supporting comprehensive statewide program established for the administration of new statutory mandates or programs assigned to the Department of Agriculture.
- Drafts and proposes legislation and rules, as a result of changes in industry practices, regulatory experiences and changes in laws and rules.
- Prepares, reviews, and coordinates proposed contracts related to the implementation and effectuation of new laws or rules, as assigned by the General Counsel.
- Independently determines when extensive and complex legal research is required and proceeds with thorough study and preparation of supporting documentation.
- Serves as full-line supervisor.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Requirements
- Requires graduation from an accredited law school.
- Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois.
- Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefers two (2) years of professional litigation support, including compiling administrative records, compiling and drafting discovery responses, and reviewing motions for accuracy.
- Prefers two (2) years of professional experience with the implementation of compliance with new or updated laws and policies.
- Prefers two (2) years of professional experience reviewing proposed legislation or newly passed legislation to evaluate impact to an organization's policies, rules or statutes.
- Prefers two (2) years of professional experience with reviewing audit findings recommending corrective action for non-compliance.
- Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in drafting policies, administrative rules, or similar regulatory guidelines.
- Prefers two (2) years of professional experience conducting legal or legislation research.
- Prefers two (2) years of professional experience with monitoring federal laws or industry trends for impact on an organization's policy, rules, or statutes.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.
- Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license. Overnight travel may be required.
- 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.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs.
AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.
AGR offers a robust benefit package including;
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible work schedules in many program areas
- Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
- 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
- Pension Plan
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
- Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
- Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
- Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
- Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually
For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx
If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!
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.
Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Agriculture’s discretion.
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: Springfield