Description:
Work for IndianaBegin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a 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.
About the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS):
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) leads Indiana's emergency planning and operations, first responder training, and fire and building safety. The Indiana State Fire Marshal leads the Division of Fire and Building Safety (within IDHS), which oversees the enforcement of building codes and includes a fire investigations unit. The agency certifies and trains thousands of first responders and also hosts state-level exercises each year. IDHS also supports the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which leads response and coordination efforts for large-magnitude incidents.
Role Overview:
As a Deputy General Counsel with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, you will provide legal support to the agency, its employees, and the various boards and commissions it supports. This support may include:
- representation of the agency in administrative proceedings;
- reviewing, drafting, and/or responding to records requests, subpoenas, legislation, rules, and policies;
- providing legal interpretations, opinions, advice, and education;
- preparing orders, contracts, and other legal documents;
- managing litigation and representation by outside counsel;
- reviewing agency operations to ensure compliance with the law and to improve processes; and
- other duties as assigned.
However, most importantly, this role is to function as a problem solver for the agency.
Ideal candidates will be:
- Hardworking, self-starters who can manage their own workload and aggressively drive projects forward;
- Strong researchers with the ability and confidence to independently identify issues, applicable law, and make recommendations or decisions in a fast-paced environment; and
- Dependable team players who demonstrate a positive attitude.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $85,020.00 - $105,000.00, but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A day in the life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff;
- Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas;
- May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts;
- Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations;
- May draft and review legislation and administrative rules;
- Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures;
- Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions;
- Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development;
- Sets expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures;
- May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence;
- May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations;
- Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation;
- May review pleadings, motions, and discovery;
- May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments.
- 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.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have
- A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney;
- Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing;
- Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules;
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing;
- Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders;
- Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
- This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group.
- This role provides direct supervision for two or more attorneys.