Deputy Director/General Counsel

Date Posted: Sep 17, 2024

Requisition ID: 449683

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

About the Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings (OALP):

The Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings (OALP) was established as a new state agency in 2020 to provide a central and independent hearings process for administrative cases with different Indiana State agencies. OALP has a staff of administrative law judges (ALJs) who hear disputes between certain state agencies and persons aggrieved by that agency’s action, as well as a team of Legal Assistants (LAs) who assist our ALJs with case management and data. Some of the state agencies for which OALP hears cases include the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the Department of Child Services (DCS), and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). A full list of agencies can be found at https://www.in.gov/oalp/oalp-resources/oalp-jurisdiction/. The mission of OALP is to provide efficient, effective, and impartial adjudicatory processes for Indiana’s citizens and agencies.

Role Overview

The Deputy Director and General Counsel manages a team of Chief Administrative Law judges and the legal team, serving as a subject matter expert and legal advisor for administrative proceedings and legal operations. This role requires deft leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, and operation management to navigate complex organizational dynamics and legal issues in a swift, yet competent manner.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $102,024.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Direct and oversee all Legal Division staff members and division workflow and projects.

• Prepare and render legal opinions to the agency’s leadership and management teams, as requested.

• Provide legal assistance in the drafting of legal documents, agency policy, rules and regulations, resolutions, and other legal or related papers upon request.

• Provide legal assistance in the drafting of legislation impacting the agency.

• Work as, or with, the Legislative Director on legislative matters as directed, including providing legal analysis of pending legislation.

• Advise staff concerning agency matters.

• Conduct legal research and prepares reports on various topics as requested by the Commissioner and management team.

• Review contracts as requested.

• Manage agency litigation and coordinates legal matters with outside counsel.

• Monitor legal services provided to the agency by outside counsel.

• Keep stakeholders informed and up to date regarding any matters within the employee’s responsibilities that are likely to have a significant impact on the agency.

• Operate the division in a manner that enhances the agency’s ability to provide fast, accurate, and friendly customer service to the people of the State of Indiana.

• Provide reports regarding matters within the employee’s responsibilities that are appropriate for public discussion.

• Operate the division within the financial constraints established by the budget process.

• Leads agency enforcement programs.

• Advise respective board/comm members.

• Manage agency rulemaking procedures.

• Manage all agency matters falling under the Administrative Orders and Procedures Act and the Access to Public Records Act.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

What You'll Need for Success:

The ideal candidate for this role should have.

• a Juris Doctor Degree and 5+ years of experience with Admission to the Indiana State Bar.

Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.

• Advanced knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures and precedents.

• Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.

• Thorough knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.

• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.

• Ability to supervise others by assigning/directing work. conducting employee evaluations, staff training and development, taking appropriate disciplinary/corrective actions, and making hiring/termination recommendations.

• Must possess excellent writing and communication skills and be able to present ideas and opinions clearly in oral, written, and electronic form.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow agency employees.

• Ability to treat all state employees with courtesy and respect.

• Ability to create, maintain and improve the culture of teamwork, excellent customer service, and cost-effective use of the people’s resources.

• Ability to discharge all job responsibilities with integrity.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities

• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid new parent leave

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.

  If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected] .

  The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.

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