Illinois Secretary of State

Labor & Employment Law Attorney (Legal Advisor II)

General Counsel - Chicago, IL - Full Time

Office of the Illinois Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias


Job Title:     Legal Advisor II
Division:     General Counsel - Personnel
Union:         N/A
Location:    115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, IL – Cook County
Salary:        $6,019 to $7,917 monthly – commensurate with experience
Benefits:     https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html           

Overview: 

Under administrative direction of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and/or the Director of the Department of Personnel, serves as staff attorney performing complex technical legal functions as lead attorney for arbitration, unemployment, mediation, unfair labor practice charges, and Merit Commission hearings as directed, as well as matters before the Department of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission; assists with labor relations and provides legal advice to the Department of Personnel on matters involving labor relations; provides guidance on policy changes as they relate to changes to the law; assists Director of Personnel with legislative analysis as it relates to the personnel and human resources matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Serves as staff attorney performing complex technical legal functions as lead attorney for arbitration, unemployment, mediation, unfair labor practice charges, and Merit Commission hearings and appeals, as directed, as well as matters before the Department of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission;  Serves as liaison to the Attorney General’s office on legal matters assigned to them for representation, coordinating with them on all aspects of the cases.
  • Assists with labor relations, including any hearings associated with labor relations and union negotiations as directed.  Provides legal advice to the Department of Personnel and Executive Office on matters involving labor relations.
  • Conducts research and investigative work in the field of employee and labor relations, as well as legal matters as they relate to changes to the Department of Personnel Rules, Code and Policy Manual to assure adherence to procedures and policies.
  • Serves as liaison with other personnel staff, management, department staff, and various union representatives to effectively resolve matters and to assist in the administration and interpretation of union contracts, Rules, Code and Policy Manual.
  • Provides advice and counsel concerning statutory interpretations and compliance with laws and office procedures and policies as required.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned.
Specific Skills:
  • Requires extensive knowledge of federal and state labor law including but not limited the National Labor Relations Act, the Illinois Labor Relations Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Illinois Human Rights Act, and similar laws and regulations.
  • Requires experience in litigating primarily with administrative proceedings, as well as mediations, arbitrations, unfair labor practices, unemployment, and serve as representative of the Office on matters involving litigation on employment issues in federal and state courts.
  • Requires extensive knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedure and of the rules of evidence, hearings, and trial procedures.
  • Requires working knowledge of management practices and procedures.
  • Requires ability to maintain satisfactory working relationships with superiors, other attorneys, employees and the public.
  • Requires ability to present material in clear and logical form for oral or written presentation, such as briefs, orders, reports or decisions.
  • Requires ability to exercise sound judgement in appraising and evaluating problems of a procedural nature.
  • Requires the ability to lift, carry, push and pull 50 lbs.
  • Requires some travel and possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license.
Education and Work Experience:

Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois AND one (1) year of professional experience in the practice of law. 

Preferred candidate with experience in litigating labor and employment matters, as well as experience in the skills indicated in the previous section above.   

Application Process: 
  • Please visit https://ilsos.applytojob.gov/apply to apply by completing the online application; you may also upload a resume, or other attachments as needed.
  • Preference will be given to Illinois residents in the hiring and selection process, in accordance with the Illinois Secretary of State Merit Employment Code.
  • Questions regarding this posting or Illinois Secretary of State employment practices may be directed to Job Counselors at our Personnel offices in Chicago (312-793-5515) or Springfield (217-782-4783).  

 
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or disability.

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