Job Description

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students. The Department provides the resources and supports essential to raising student achievement and accelerating learning opportunities, advancing the connectivity between K-12 and postsecondary learning, creating programs to support and expand workforce experiences, and ensuring students have the necessary supports to be ready each day to learn.

As the governing body responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education within the State of Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce is dedicated to promoting educational excellence and ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all students. The Department is committed to collaborating with schools, districts, educators, students, families, businesses, nonprofits and all stakeholders to achieve our educational goals.

Serves as an unclassified employee pursuant to Section 124.11 (A) (9) O.R.C.:

Serves as a Senior Assistant Legal Counsel for the Ohio Department of Education (DEW) and provides legal counsel and advice to the Director on policy development and implementation on legal functions related to education:

• Assists with the development of administrative rules;
• Assists in managing and responding to public records requests submitted to DEW;
• Participates in Chapter 119 hearing processes (e.g., land transfer cases, permanent exclusion cases, and payment in lieu of cases);
• Assists with developing and reviewing agency contracts on behalf of the Director;
• Under supervision of Chief Legal Counsel and Associate Legal Counsel, provides assistance and advice to department on legal matters.

Researches & drafts legal opinions, orders, memoranda, and other legal documents:

• Researches questions for agency personnel;
• Prepares responses and/or reports/decisions as required;
• Performs research as may be required to implement applicable laws;
• Analyzes, monitors, and drafts legislation pertaining to education and DEW;
• Provides recommendations to agency administrators related to policy.

Performs other related duties as assigned:

• Provides legal assistance and guidance to assigned center or program offices
• Conducts training on legal matters (e.g., public records, confidential personal information, data privacy).

The work location of this position is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You will be required to report to this work location full-time, if selected.

If this position is filled with an internal employee who has an approved telework agreement, the employee may be required to report in-person during the initial training period.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (& Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 18 mos. exp. as licensed attorney; 6 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position, unless restricted under state or federal law or federal restrictions. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The final applicant for this position will be required to submit urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that values diversity and seeks talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Office of Human Resources ( human.resources@education.ohio.gov ).

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

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