Legal Consult (Attorney 5)

Work Location: 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | Contact: mindy.mathews@dbh.ohio.gov | Unclassified, Exempt from union

About the Role

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued. DBH is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Responsibilities

Employment & Labor Law Consultation

• Serves as lead legal consultant for statewide employment and labor matters, including discipline, investigations, collective bargaining, accommodations, EEO, ADA, FMLA, public records related to personnel, and workforce policy issues
• Researches, analyzes, and interprets federal and state employment laws
• Advises agency leadership, HR, and program administration on legal risk and compliance

Statewide & Multi-Agency Initiatives

• Plans, directs, and coordinates legal activities for major departmental and system-wide initiatives
• Serves as DBH legal representative on statewide and multi-agency workgroups and policy committees
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory actions affecting employment and labor operations

Lead Attorney & Legal Oversight

• Provides ongoing and project-based legal consultation to agency leadership
• Directs preparation and reviews legal documentation, including legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, and contracts
• Exercises independent judgment on complex legal issues and serves as liaison with the Ohio Attorney General's Office on assigned employment and labor matters
• Coordinates with the agency's legislative liaison regarding employment-related statutory and rule changes

Litigation & Administrative Proceedings

• Assists the Chief Legal Counsel and Legal Office Chief with employment-related litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters before the Ohio Court of Claims and Federal and state courts
• Participates in pre-trial conferences; reviews case documentation; assesses legal risk; and develops recommendations regarding settlement, resolution, or appeal
• Ensures consistency with agency policy and DAS standards in the development and management of case materials

Qualifications

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code
• 18 months experience as licensed attorney
• 6 months experience in supervisory principles/techniques

Pay

Hourly rate: $44.38/hr (Step 1 of Pay Range 15 on the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule). Opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Schedule

Permanent, Full Time. Normal working hours Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm (Flexible Schedule; hours may vary).

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors; the Agency Contact can provide specific benefits information for this position.

Additional Information

• Preferred: 3+ years of employment litigation experience
• Preferred: 5+ years advising and providing expert legal guidance, to include: analyzing complex legal issues, researching legislation, advising on legal rights, obligations, and potential liability
• This position is unclassified per 124.11 (A) (9), Ohio Revised Code
• Final candidate will be required to undergo a criminal background check (criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude consideration; individual assessment conducted)
• All final applicants tentatively selected will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment; positive test precludes employment offer
• Reasonable accommodation for application process, assessment, and/or interview: contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884