Closing Date: 7th October, 2026

Description:

Position Overview:
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is seeking a motivated and collaborative attorney to join our growing legal team. This position will provide legal assistance, counsel and advisory services to correctional facilities, facility leadership, and Department staff. In addition, this position will interpret complex acts and specialized related statutes, coordinate specialized legal matters with the Office of the Attorney General, consult with and advise Department personnel, and conduct technical research for administrative officials of the Department. The ideal candidate will be an attorney seeking a fast-paced position. We invite all qualified applicants who are interested in meaningful legal work to apply.

Essential Functions:

Provides direct legal assistance, counsel, and advisory services to correctional facilities, facility leadership, and Department staff regarding operational, regulatory, compliance, and risk-management issues arising within correctional settings.
Interprets complex acts and specialized related statutes affecting or directly related to the Department of Corrections.
Coordinates specialized legal matters with the Office of the Attorney General filed in state and federal court.
Consults with and advises Department personnel, wardens, facility administrators, and correctional staff concerning facility operations, compliance obligations, and legal risk.
Conducts complex technical research administrative officials of the Department.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.
Requires three (3) years professional experience in the practice of law.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prefers at least four (4) years of professional litigation experience handling federal, state, or administrative proceedings.
Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience drafting legal memoranda, briefs, or pleadings.
Prefers at least four (4) of professional experience working with laws, policies, or regulations for a correctional or law enforcement agency.
Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience managing attorneys and support staff.
Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience conducting legal research.
Prefers at least two (2) years of professional experience working in a large agency or organization (500 or more employees).
Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience in handling constitutional or administrative law.
Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience working with legislation.
Prefers intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe Pro or similar programs.

Conditions of Employment:

Requires possession of a current, active license to practice law in the State of Illinois.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
Requires use of agency-supplied equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.).
Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
Required to utilize digital technology, tools, platforms, and processes in managing and supporting various digital enhancements for greater efficiency, productivity, and digital transformation efforts within the department.
Applicants are required to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

Application Instructions:
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: