Legal Counsel

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• 
  Job Posting closes: Open until Filled
• Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.

Agency Information:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Protecting Kansans, Promoting Recovery and Supporting Self Sufficiency

https://www.kdads.ks.gov/

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Legal Counsel

Compensation:

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

This legal counsel position serves as the Agency’s KORA Officer, manages subpoenas and party discovery matters, and oversees HIPAA compliance. The incumbent reviews complaints, advises the Secretary of KDADS, and defends Agency actions related to staff in adult care homes.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Legal - Administrative and Litigation

The incumbent serves as a key legal support resource responsible for managing discovery-related matters in which the Agency is involved, both as a party and a non-party. This role entails coordinating and executing discovery processes in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedural rules. The incumbent assists in the identification, collection, organization, and review of responsive records, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely production. Oversee and support discovery efforts involving the Agency, including subpoenas, interrogatories, and requests for production. Liaise with internal Commissions and external counsel to clarify scope and relevance of requested information. Maintain organized records of discovery activities and contribute to process improvements.

The incumbent serves as the Agency’s primary authority on HIPAA compliance, responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HIPAA-related training programs and policy frameworks. This role ensures that all Agency operations align with federal privacy and security standards governing protected health information (PHI). Responds as needed to HIPAA inquiries.

The incumbent serves as the Agency’s designated Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) Officer, responsible for overseeing all aspects of public records compliance and disclosure. This role includes managing the intake, tracking, and resolution of KORA requests, as well as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and referrals in accordance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements. The incumbent works closely with and directs the legal assistant supporting KORA-related functions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of requests. Calculates applicable fees for document production and prepare all required correspondence, including acknowledgments, responses, and denials.

Legal - Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation (ANE)

The incumbent reviews complaints, exercises prosecutorial judgment, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of KDADS concerning cases against Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) and Certified Medication Aides (CMAs) who have abuse/neglected/exploited a resident in an adult care home. The incumbent then defends any action appealed that was taken by the Agency in front of the Office of Administrative Hearings, and any resulting appeals to the District Court.

Special Tasks

Special tasks as assigned by KDADS Chief Counsel, including appointment to special project teams, ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Law Degree with evidence of current Kansas licensure to practice law in good standing is required
• Unrestricted Driver’s License to operate a state vehicle
• Travel

Preferred:

• Civil litigation experience
• Strongly prefer individual with a positive attitude and demonstrated experience and aptitude for detail oriented legal work with an excellent command of grammar, writing and proofreading skills, teamwork experience, exceptional organization and communication skills, adaptability, flexibility, and assertiveness.

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Pass a background/fingerprint check conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI)

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS – Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: 785-296-0463

Fax: 785-368-6688

Email: KDADS.APPLY@ks.gov

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.