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DEPUTY CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL

Springfield, United States

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID: 50130
Closing Date: 10/01/2025
Agency: Illinois Prisoner Review Board
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Illinois Law License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/2025) $7966 - $10,416 a month; Full Range $7966 - $14244
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon - or - Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

This position will be located at either 1001 N. Walnut Street, Springfield, IL or at 555 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL

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.

Position Overview

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board is seeking to hire a motivated, self-starting Deputy General Counsel that will report directly to the General Counsel. This position provides technical and strategic assistance to the General Counsel in preparing, developing and implementing rules and policies on legal issues. The position will also have principal administrative responsibility for the statewide Preliminary Hearing Program, serve as a hearing officer when needed, identifies program problems and issues and makes recommendations for resolutions, and receives and reviews FOIA requests and prepares responses, in conjunction with the FOIA Officer, and prepares responses on behalf of the Board. We invite those interested in public safety to apply.

Essential Function

Provides technical and strategic assistance to the General Counsel in preparing, developing and implementing rules and policies on legal issues confronting the Board and its statutory functions relating to hearings. Assists the General Counsel with Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests.
This position will have principal administrative responsibility for the statewide Preliminary Hearing Program. Serves as a resource to government officials, attorneys, and the public, by providing legal opinions, interpretations, and advice with respect to the Prisoner Review Board policy, procedures, and applicable state and federal laws.
Primarily responsible for administrative work for preliminary hearinggs statewide. Serves as a Hearing Officer traveling to attend and/or conduct preliminary and complex hearings. When prioritizing and executing hearings protocols, the Deputy General Counsel is the prinicipal implementer of Board policy and exercises the Board's statutory authority and for which has principal authority when acting.
Drafts and reviews contracts and grants.
Provides legal interpretations of statues, regulations and policies for agency staff.
Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires having graduated from an accredited law school

Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or private legal organization, preferably in the areas of criminal justice or administrative law.

Requires to be in, and maintain, good standing with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Preferred Qualifications

Prefers the ability to successfully apply learned knowledge and techniques to working environment.
Prefers working knowledge of principles of administration and management, including organization, controls and techniques used in dealing with management and procedural problems.
Prefers the skills and ability in analyzing, appraising and organizing facts, evidence, and precedents and in presenting such material, involving a moderately complex problem; in clear and logical form in written media briefs, memoranda, summarizations, research reports or regulations.
Prefers the ability to maintain satisfactory public contracts and working relationships with others; to exercise sound judgement in appraising and evaluating problems of procedural nature; and to use expediently all primary and secondary legal source materials, to analyze all legal documents and instruments to prepare, conduct and report formal and informal hearings.
Prefers the skill and ability to run computer operating systems, basic knowledge of Office Suites, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoing and Access; ability to operate and manage webEx software and internet-based platforms.
Prefers working knowledge of the agency's programs, operations and policies.

Employment Conditions

Possession of a appropriate valid current driver's license.
Ability to successfully pass Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police and county jail background checks, as necessary, to enter required correctional facilities throughout Illinois.
Ability to travel statewide to conduct screenings and hearings which could include overnight stays.
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.
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.
The conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board's mission is to function under statutory authority as a quasi-judicial body with a primary focus on public safety. It further acts as a checks and balances on other state and local institutions. The Board imposes release conditions for incarcerated individuals who are exiting penal facilities, revokes and restores good conduct credits from inmates and conducts hearings to determine whether parolees have violated conditions of parole. The Board also notifies victims and their families when an inmate is about to be released from custody. Finally, the Board makes confidential recommendations to the Governor relative to clemency petitions. To learn more about our agency Click Here.

Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Work Location: 1001 N Walnut St, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Agency Contact: [[recruiterEmail]]
Email: Nichole.Damhoff@Illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-782-7273
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance; Leadership & Management; Public Safety

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:

Nearest Major Market: Springfield

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