Closing Date: 19th November, 2026
Description:
Position Overview:The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire a Senior Assistant Chief Counsel – Labor Relations/Personnel/Compliance position in the Office of Chief Counsel. Under general direction of the Deputy Chief Counsel, this position provides technical advice and legal policy determinations on legal matters related to labor relations, personnel, compliance, and employment law issues for the department. In the absence of the Deputy Chief Counsel, this position performs the duties and responsibilities of that position.
Essential Functions:
- Serves as counsel and legal advisor for aII offices in the department regarding labor relations, personnel, and employment law issues, including the Comprehensive Employment Plan (CEP).
- Provides legal advice and interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act, Open Meetings Act and various departmental orders and policies.
- In conjunction with the Labor Relations Section and Central Management Services (CMS), serves as a legal advisor for the department in negotiations with labor organizations and in litigation before arbitrators, administrative judges, and the Illinois Labor Relations Board.
- Designs and coordinates investigations into allegations of employee misconduct.
- Negotiates settlements on behalf of the department.
- Serves as Deputy Chief Counsel in the absence thereof.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited law school.
- Possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.
- Prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of law with knowledge of labor relations and employment law.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prefers two (2) years of experience working with common law, and federal and state laws and regulations, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA).
- Prefers two (2) years of experience reviewing labor and employment practices.
- Prefers two (2) years of experience exercising judgment and discretion in developing, implementing, and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.
- Prefers demonstrated ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
- Prefers strong communication skills.
- Prefers one (1) year of supervisory experience.
Conditions of Employment:
- Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
- Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
- Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non- State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
- This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
- The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.