Closing Date: 12th November, 2025

Description:

Job Summary - Why you'll love this position
Please note: The salary range listed in this job description is a base salary. Applicants eligible for years-of-service adjustments or shift differentials may exceed salary range listed above.

Job Location: This position will be located at 3024 Dupont Circle, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

Why you'll love this position:
This is a full-time, twelve-month, department legal counsel position primarily in the field of vocational rehabilitation, veteran's education, and disability determination services programs with primary emphasis in providing legal counsel to the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services (OALRS), which is under the authority of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department).

Responsibilities - What you'll do

Provide legal counsel to OALRS regarding the development, interpretation, or implementation, of education and rehabilitation laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Assist in the development of regulation and policy on behalf of OALRS and the Department.
Provide legal guidance in human resources questions and develop and provide trainings as needed.
Assist in the development, writing, and review of contracts and agreements for OALRS, and for other Department offices as requested.
Manage and coordinate Sunshine Law and other record requests for OALRS, including email and record searches, tracking, meeting deadlines, and providing counsel to program staff on providing responsive documents.
Assist the Department's Chief Counsel and the OALRS Assistant Commissioner by researching and responding to internal and external inquiries relating to case law, legislation, regulations, and federal and state law.
Respond, or assist in preparing responses, to questions regarding OALRS services from clients, legislators, legislative staff, other local and state officials, or the media.
Assist in responding to Office of Civil Rights, Missouri Commission on Human Rights, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints against the Department.
Represent OALRS in Vocational Rehabilitation Due Process appeals.
Provide legal support to the Office of Chief Counsel.
Serve as a hearing officer for the Department as designated by the Commissioner of Education.
Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.
Perform other related work as assigned.

Qualifications - All you need for success
Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate from an ABA approved law school.
Member of the Missouri Bar in good standing.

Job Details - More reasons to love this position
The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:
If you have questions about this position please contact: hr@dese.mo.gov

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Human Resources at (573) 751-9619, through Missouri Relay System at (800) 735-2966, or via email at hr@dese.mo.gov.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Director of Civil Rights Compliance and MOA Coordinator (Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADAAA/Age Act/GINA/USDA Title VI), 7th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-522-1775 or TTY 800-735-2966; fax number 573-522-4883; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov.

To Our Applicants with Disabilities: For assistance with any phase of the Department process, please notify the Director of Human Resources at (573) 751-9619. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate special needs. TTY/TDD Relay Missouri service (800) 735-2966.

Notice to Applicants: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.