SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position of General Counsel. SRS is conveniently located on the west side of Springfield with free parking on-site. Why Work for Illinois? Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.Essential Functions Serves as General Counsel for the Board of Trustees, Executive Secretary, and staff, offering advice and consultation regarding statutory authority and responsibilities. In consultation with the Associate Executive Secretary and Executive Secretary, develops and implements policies and procedures to monitor and regulate the various agency programs. Provides legal advice on rules, policies, procedures, and legislation affecting the Agency. As General Legal Counsel, provides legal counsel to Agency staff regarding all legal matters. Assists in the interpretation of statutes, rules, and executive orders. Reviews drafts of legal agreements, contracts, executive orders, legislation, rules, and regulations to ensure content is legally correct and adequate. Confers with staff members, other attorneys, and qualified experts on issues of statutory interpretations and compliance. Assists in planning, drafting, and implementing policies and procedures to carry out the statutory requirements of SRS. Counsels system staff on legal matters of administration and organization. Serves as the liaison to the Attorney General’s office, the Governor’s Office of Legal Affairs, the Department of Central Management Services, and private attorneys for litigation involving SRS. Provides requesting parties with information related to inquiries for briefs, motions, and other legal actions. Assists the Associate Executive Secretary in SRS’ rulemaking responsibilities and interactions with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), including drafting the proposed rules in consultation with Associate Executive Secretary and division managers, monitoring the approval process and working directly with JCAR staff and committee members to obtain approval. With the Executive Secretary and Associate Executive Secretary, attends meetings and hearings as the Agency representative at JCAR. Conducts formal hearings related to member appeals of staff decisions. In consultation with the external counsel, serves as the Executive Committee Hearing Officer and prepares final decisions that recommend approval or denial of appeals to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees. Serves as legal advisor to staff regarding the administration of QILDRO’s and member divorce matters. Serves as the Agency’s Open Meetings Act (OMA) designee, with primary responsibility for monitoring and advising the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary regarding OMA compliance. Assists the Executive Secretary and Associate Executive Secretary in the review of proposed and actual legislation that would impact the Agency. Serves as the Agency Security Officer and assists the Associate Executive Secretary in responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Represents the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary as an advisor on legal matters. Serves as spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary regarding legal issues and execution of contracts. Reviews all contracts prior to SRS entering into agreements with outside vendors. Drafts contracts when requested. Advises the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary on legal recourse when vendor compliance is in question. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Requirements

Requires a license to practice law in the State of Illinois.
Requires 4 years of professional experience in the practice of law.

Nice To Haves

Thorough knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures.
Thorough knowledge of common law, Federal and State Laws, and regulation pertaining to agency programs.
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with SRS staff and outside entities.

Responsibilities

Serves as General Counsel for the Board of Trustees, Executive Secretary, and staff, offering advice and consultation regarding statutory authority and responsibilities.
In consultation with the Associate Executive Secretary and Executive Secretary, develops and implements policies and procedures to monitor and regulate the various agency programs.
Provides legal advice on rules, policies, procedures, and legislation affecting the Agency.
As General Legal Counsel, provides legal counsel to Agency staff regarding all legal matters.
Assists in the interpretation of statutes, rules, and executive orders.
Reviews drafts of legal agreements, contracts, executive orders, legislation, rules, and regulations to ensure content is legally correct and adequate.
Confers with staff members, other attorneys, and qualified experts on issues of statutory interpretations and compliance.
Assists in planning, drafting, and implementing policies and procedures to carry out the statutory requirements of SRS.
Counsels system staff on legal matters of administration and organization.
Serves as the liaison to the Attorney General’s office, the Governor’s Office of Legal Affairs, the Department of Central Management Services, and private attorneys for litigation involving SRS.
Provides requesting parties with information related to inquiries for briefs, motions, and other legal actions.
Assists the Associate Executive Secretary in SRS’ rulemaking responsibilities and interactions with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), including drafting the proposed rules in consultation with Associate Executive Secretary and division managers, monitoring the approval process and working directly with JCAR staff and committee members to obtain approval.
With the Executive Secretary and Associate Executive Secretary, attends meetings and hearings as the Agency representative at JCAR.
Conducts formal hearings related to member appeals of staff decisions.
In consultation with the external counsel, serves as the Executive Committee Hearing Officer and prepares final decisions that recommend approval or denial of appeals to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
Serves as legal advisor to staff regarding the administration of QILDRO’s and member divorce matters.
Serves as the Agency’s Open Meetings Act (OMA) designee, with primary responsibility for monitoring and advising the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary regarding OMA compliance.
Assists the Executive Secretary and Associate Executive Secretary in the review of proposed and actual legislation that would impact the Agency.
Serves as the Agency Security Officer and assists the Associate Executive Secretary in responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Represents the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary as an advisor on legal matters.
Serves as spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary regarding legal issues and execution of contracts.
Reviews all contracts prior to SRS entering into agreements with outside vendors.
Drafts contracts when requested.
Advises the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary on legal recourse when vendor compliance is in question.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
3 paid personal business days per year.
13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.