Description:

Agency Overview
About Us:
The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) was established in 1872 as an agency charged with overseeing insurance regulations, enforcing statutes mandating consumer protections, educating consumers, and fostering the stability of insurance markets in Ohio.

Today, the mission of the Ohio Department of Insurance is to provide consumer protection through education and fair but vigilant regulation while promoting a stable and competitive environment for insurers.

Please visit our website Department of Insurance and also find us on LinkedIn.

Job Description:
The Legal Division provides a variety of legal services to each division within the Ohio Department of Insurance. One of those services is initiating enforcement or administrative disciplinary action against Department licensees and those entities engaging in the unauthorized transaction of insurance business. The Legal Division does not provide legal services to the general public, licensees or other agencies.

The Legal Division is seeking a detail-oriented, self-motivated, and experienced attorney to join our team. The ideal candidate should have excellent writing and proofreading skills, can multi-task, works with a sense of urgency, and has at least 12 months of experience working with Ohio Revised Code (“R.C.”) Chapter 119 administrative cases.

What You'll Do:
Under the direction of the General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel, this attorney will primarily work on R.C. Chapter 119 administrative cases, and will:
  • Initiate disciplinary and enforcement actions;
  • Counsel and assist the Department's Administrative Hearing Program Manager, and its Licensing and Fraud & Enforcement Divisions;
  • Research & draft legal opinions, orders, memoranda & other legal documents;
  • Review, analyze, and draft bulletins, administrative rules, and legislation;
  • Assist with public records requests;
  • Respond to legal inquiries from the public and government officials;
  • Cooperate with the Ohio Attorney General's Office on legal issues as required; and
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Official Position Description Language:

Consults with and provides assistance to the Assistant Attorney General in preparation of Licensing and Enforcement cases for R.C. Chapter 119 hearings. Utilizes substantial knowledge of R.C. Chapter 119 to review and evaluate relevant evidence to determine the Ohio insurance statutes or rules that have been violated, the evidence in support of the violations, and readiness of the case for hearing. Negotiates and prepares written consent agreements. Prepares and issues notices in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119. Attends R.C. Chapter 119 hearings. Prepares proposed division orders in accordance with R.C. Chapter 119. Consults with and provides assistance to the Assistant Attorney General in responding to litigation discovery requests, subpoenas, and motions.

Conducts complex legal research on issues pertaining to Ohio insurance law (R.C. Title 39, Chapter 1739, and Chapter 1751, and Ohio Administrative Code Division 3901); Ohio administrative law (including R.C. Chapter 119); other relevant Ohio law (including R.C. Chapter 149); and applicable federal law. Provides legal advice to internal clients, including the Director, Deputy Director, and support staff. Prepares legal memoranda and interoffice communications. Reviews, analyzes, and/or drafts proposed Department bulletins and administrative rules. Reviews and analyzes legislative and administrative rule changes affecting the Department, and suggests changes where appropriate. Reviews and analyzes existing administrative rules in Ohio Administrative Code Division 3901 as part of the five-year administrative rule review.

Responds to oral and written inquiries from the public regarding Ohio insurance law and applies knowledge of the applicable statutes and rules in responding to questions.

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:
Application Procedures:
When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Status of Posted Positions:
You can check the status of your application online by signing into your profile. Jobs you applied for will be listed. The application status is shown to the right of the position title and application submission details. Questions about the position not pertaining to your application status can be directed to: Kim Lowry @ 614-644-2681.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Reasonable Accommodation: ODI does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with the ADA employment regulations. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the agency Human Resource Offices' ADA Coordinator, Andrew Skal, by emailing Andrew.Skal@insurance.ohio.gov or calling 614-644-3264. Otherwise, you will be given specific instructions on requesting an accommodation if you are invited to participate in a structured interview.

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.

Drug Test for Unclassified position:
All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.