Deputy Chief Counsel

Date Posted: May 2, 2024

Requisition ID: 443127

Location:

Kokomo, IN, US, 46902

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

About the Department of Child Services:

Join a team that engages with families and children to improve lives in meaningful and significant ways. DCS engages authentically with children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The Department also administers family preservation and prevention services, foster care, and child support throughout the State of Indiana. You will relentlessly pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, adoption or support youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. While this job is difficult and may have long and sometimes unconventional hours, this is more than a job—it is a calling to improve your community and neighbors. Will you join us in supporting our Mission, Vision, and Values?

Mission: The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.

Vision: Children will live in safe, healthy and supportive families and communities.

Values: We at the Indiana Department of Child Services empower our team, in collaboration with state and local partners, to make decisions in the best interest of every child in our care by embracing:

Child Safety

Permanency

Collaborative partnerships with foster and adoptive families

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A culture of safety and transparency

A commitment to continuous improvement

Role Overview:

The Deputy Chief Counsel (DCC) position will report to the Chief Counsel (CC) of Region 6 and be responsible for supervising 4 legal clerical staff and 9 attorneys and for supervising approximately 450 cases across the Region. The DCC will assist with training attorneys within the Region. The DCC may be asked to cover court hearings and other local office attorney job duties on short notice and will need to be able to travel between offices within the Region. The DCC will be responsible for observing legal employees in court and in the office and offering constructive criticism. Additionally, the DCC may be required to meet with outside stakeholders to educate stakeholders on DCS policies and procedures. The DCC may be required to assist local office attorneys in case preparation and give guidance as to best practices.

Salary:

This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $85,020. Salary for this position may be commensurate with education and job experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Train local office counsel on proper trail preparation and presentation – including but not limited to discovery, witness identification, witness preparation, pre-trail pleadings, exhibit identification and preparation, making and meeting objections and case theory.

• Serve as an Administrative Law Judge in hearing evidence, rules on the admissibility of evidence, and makes a reasoned decision supported by evidence for cases involving substantiate abuse or neglect, foster home licensing, child support, and/or adoption/guardianship assistance.

• Participate in committees, groups, and teams.

• Communicate and manage forms for courts, hears evidence, rules on the admissibility of evidence, and makes a reasoned decision supported by evidence.

• Carry a limited caseload of complex or unusual cases.

• Assist as needed with complex litigation needs and provide legal guidance and advice to auditors and Office of General Counsel.

• Delegate, supervise, and provide support for any legal support staff if needed.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities

• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid new parent leave

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.

  If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected] .

  The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.

  Current Employee? Click here (https://performancemanager8.successfactors.com/sf/careers/jobsearch?bplte_company=indianaoff) to apply.