Senior Legal Counsel

Posted: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Valid Thru: Friday, 17 January 2025
Index Requested on: 12/19/2024 01:20:30
Indexed on: 12/19/2024 01:20:30

Location: Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Industry: Advertising and Public Relations
Occupational Category: 13-0000.00 - Business and Financial Operations
Type of Employment: FULL_TIME

Cooks County Government is hiring!

Description:

OVERVIEW

The Chief Procurement Officer is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to provide assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of proposals, policy directives and other actions planned or undertaken by department, bureau or County Board. Works with the President's General Counsel and State's Attorney's Office as necessary in order to evaluate litigation, respond to document requests, prepare for matters related to administrative review and address opinions related to federal, state or local legislation.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans

Flexible Teleworking Options Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of

10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)

Pension Plan Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending

Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend

Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY:

Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs o 2nd largest county in America o Larger than 27 states

Cook County employs over 22, 000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades. o Nearly 80% unionized workforce o 15 unions represented o 63 separate collective bargaining agreements

Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways. Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and

distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies. Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas

to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities. LOCATION:

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorist, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclist.

ROLE SUMMARY

Acts as an internal legal advisor and counsel to the bureau chief or director, providing legal advice in matters related to the statutory authority and execution of powers of that department, bureau or departments within bureau; also functions as direct legal aid to the director or bureau chief as required. Provides assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of proposals, policy directives and other actions planned or undertaken by department, bureau or County Board. May serve in the capacity of Freedom of Information Officer or advise on matters related to the Freedom of Information Act. Works with the President's General Counsel and State's Attorney's Office as necessary in order to evaluate litigation, respond to document requests, prepare for matters related to administrative review and address opinions related to federal, state or local legislation. Receives legal assignments from the bureau chief or director as well as the President's General Counsel. Reports to the bureau chief or director and President's General Counsel. Consults with the President's General Counsel and the Office of the Cook County State's attorney as required or directed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: Provides legal advice to the director or bureau chief in a variety of matters pertaining to the department's functions, duties, powers and responsibilities set forth and defined by the County ordinance, state or federal law. Helps formulate and define legitimate and appropriate positions to be taken by the director. Conducts legal research and advises as necessary. Acts in tandem, where necessary, with legal advisors in the State's Attorney's Office and the President's General to coordinate efforts with legislative or civil proceedings where necessary, including on legal issues regarding the interpretation and enforcement of County Ordinances and policies. Reads, analyzes and answers correspondence pertaining to a variety of legal questions of immediate concern to the department. May assist the other members of the staff in revising ordinances, legislative proposals, directives, correspondence, and/or policies for use in intergovernmental relations and public statements etc. Conducts legal research as needed.

Handles special projects of specific purposes and confidential nature as required. Advises director in the drafting of department procedural rules and policies pertaining to the interpretation and enforcement of department applicable ordinances, as well as general Department policy and procedure. Assists the director in drafting ordinances, agreements, contracts, policies, procedures and other relevant documentation. May provide advice to the Public Information Officer on questions related to the Freedom of Information Act or serve as the Freedom of Information Officer. Reports matters of legal relevance to the President's Counsel and accepts assignments from the director and President's Counsel as necessary. Completes data entry and other system updates/approvals in various applications/systems including Oracle EBS system. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of local and municipal government in Illinois, particularly with respect to Cook County government and the Chicago Metropolitan area. Skills in researching, interpreting and arguing legal position and ability to provide legal analysis. Ability to negotiate and draft various legal agreements. Ability to coordinate litigation response.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree PLUS, seven (7) years or greater professional work experience as an attorney dealing with matters of civil law, government, or corporate transactions AND, a licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order, and the Cook County Personnel this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Responsibilities:

Please review the job description.

Educational requirements:

  • high school

Desired Skills:

Please see the job description for required or recommended skills.

Benefits:

Please see the job description for benefits.

Apply Now