Closing Date: 22nd March, 2026

Description:

Job Description:
Under administrative direction, this position provides legal advice and counsel to the Director, Deputy Directors, and assigned program areas on legal matters affecting the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). The incumbent serves as a legal liaison between DCY and the Ohio Attorney General's Office, represents the department in legal proceedings, and delivers legal guidance supporting maternal and early childhood services, Help Me Grow home visiting and early intervention, and other assigned program areas.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide legal interpretation, guidance, and counsel to DCY leadership and program staff on matters affecting agency operations and assigned program areas.
Serve as DCY's legal liaison with the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Represent DCY in legal proceedings, hearings, and related processes.
Research and draft legal opinions, orders, memoranda, and other documents related to assigned program areas.
Manage all aspects of DCY's public records requests, including coordinating record retrieval with internal staff, reviewing materials for appropriate redactions, and ensuring timely responses.
Analyze, interpret, draft, and review legislation, administrative rules, rule packages, contracts, and memoranda of understanding.
Provide training and guidance to internal staff, including leadership, management, and lower-level attorneys.
Respond to legal inquiries from the public and government officials.
Represent DCY at meetings, conferences, trainings, and seminars.
Participate in quality improvement efforts and contribute to general departmental operations.
Prepare correspondence, reports, and other documents; maintain logs, records, and files.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions and Requirements:

Travel required as needed.
Must provide own transportation, or possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle.

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be step 1 of the salary range associated with this position. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Based on collective bargaining and legislative activity, there may be cost of living increases awarded annually. Additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Background Check Information:
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Status of Posted Positions:
You can check the status of your application online be signing into your profile and clicking the “My Jobpage” tab to view completed submissions and submission details. If you have questions other than your applications status, please direct them to DCY.HumanResources@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.

Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! (https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio) Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage
Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period (https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio/healthcare/01-health-care)
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) (https://das.ohio.gov/employee-relations/benefits-administration/about-my-benefits/retirement-systems) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation) (https://www.ohio457.org/aboutus)
Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications:
Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney; 6 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

Supplemental Information:
All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will not be considered as part of your application.

Selection devices such as a structured interview, proficiency instrument, and/or assessment may be required for this position. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency with a passing score of applicable selection device to be considered for this position. Regardless of a passing or failing score, all results will be maintained for 6 months. Applicant with a passing score will be retained and utilized for a 6-month period. Applicant with a failing score in the same position may not re-take the same selection device for a 6-month period.

Travel required, as needed. Must provide own transportation or in order to operate a state vehicle, you must have a valid driver's license.

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.