Deputy General Counsel (SPSA Opt. 8L)

Are you looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values their staff? The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is seeking to hire qualified candidates with the opportunity to work in a dynamic, creative thinking, problem solving environment. This position serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). In this role, you will in provide technical advice and legal policy determinations on all legal matters relating to DoIT IT functions, programs, and policies, and serves as a principal legal advisor the General Counsel. Additionally, you will advise leadership, managers, and legacy agencies of interpretations of DoIT-related laws, rules, regulations and policies including proposing and issuing new or revised interpretations. You will also serve as the DolT Ethics Officer, in developing and formulating policies relating to DolT's Ethics Training Program and develops and coordinates personnel policies relative to work time requirements. This position serves as a full line supervisor in assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance and training to assigned staff, and counseling staff regarding work performance. If you possess these knowledges, skills, abilities and experience, we invite you to apply for this position with DoIT!

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position)
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per year
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link:

Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval, serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), providing technical advice and legal policy determinations on all legal matters relating to DoIT functions, programs and policies, and serves as a principal legal advisor the General Counsel.
• Serves as the DolT Ethics Officer developing and formulating policies relating to DolT's Ethics Training Program.
• Advises Leadership, managers and legacy agencies of interpretations of DoIT-related laws, rules, regulations and policies including proposing and issuing new or revised interpretations.
• Directs staff on all legal matters relating to DoIT, drafts all legislation and prepares and analyzes cases related to DolT IT matters.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Drafts rules, policies and interpretations and analyzes and provides day-to-day advice regarding various statutes pertaining to DolT programs, policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires law degree.
• Requires a license to practice law in Illinois.
• Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, preferably in the area of Information Technology, Telecommunications, Software Licensing, Data Sharing Agreements, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, IT Contracts or a directly related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience drafting, negotiating, and overseeing contracts, legislation, and legal policies related to IT infrastructure, IT procurement, and compliance.
• Four (4) years of professional legal experience, including substantial work in government, administrative, or information technology law.
• Four (4) years of professional experience providing strategic legal counsel on complex statutory, regulatory, and policy matters affecting public sector technology operations.
• Four (4) years of professional experience supervising legal teams and managing high-stakes legal functions, including litigation strategy, claims resolution, and coordination with executive agencies and external counsel.
• Four (4) years of professional experience serving as an Ethics Officer or in a senior compliance role, with responsibility for developing training programs, enforcing ethics policies, and collaboration with oversight entities such as OEIG, EEC and other state ethics bodies.
• Two (2) years of professional experience managing or coordinating litigation or administrative proceedings in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General or external counsel.
• Extensive knowledge of state and governmental law and procurement, and experience in state policies and administrative, rules and applicable federal laws and regulations.
• Ability to draft, interpret, and implement complex legal documents, including administrative rules, policies, and statutory guidance, providing authoritative counsel on matters impacting DoIT’s technology governance, data management, procurement, and operational compliance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive leadership, agency counsels, state oversight bodies, and cross-functional technical teams to facilitate collaboration and ensure consistent application of legal and regulatory requirements across DoIT programs.
• Developed verbal and written communication skills to present technical information with clarity and precision.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

• Requires the ability to verify identity. 
• Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full-time position with State of Illinois. 
• Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check and requires self-disclosure of criminal history. 
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license and the ability to travel in performance of duties with overnight stays
• Requires the ability to work outside of normal hours to meet deadlines.
• Requires the ability to maintain an active and valid license to practice law in the State of Illinois in accordance with state and/or federal regulations. Failure to maintain the requires licensure may result in termination of employment.
• Requires adherence to the revolving door restrictions outlined in 5 ILCS 430/5-45. Consequently, employees should be aware that in the event of receiving a non-State employment offer during state employment or within one year immediately following the termination of State employment, they are required to inform the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies (OEIG) of the Illinois Governor before accepting such non-State employment. Failure to notify the OEIG may result in the imposition of a fine. 
• Requires compliance with the provisions outlined in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, necessitating the occupant of this position to file of a Statement of Economic Interest. Pursuant to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.), specific state officials and employees are required to annually submit Statements of Economic Interest to the Office of the Secretary of State, which will be accessible to the public for examination and copying. Employees subject to this requirement must also file a Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission, as specified in Executive Order 15-09. Failure to submit these statements in a timely manner may result in fines and penalties. 
• Requires engagement with Business Enterprise Program (BEP) contractors and subcontractors and support for the goals of the BEP program and the Fair Contracting Task Force per Executive Order 2018-07. 

The conditions of employment listed are incorporated and/or related to any duties included in the position description.

Work Hours:

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Headquarter Location: 120 W Jefferson St, Springfield, Illinois, 62702

Work County: Sangamon

Agency Contact: Brittany Vespa

[email protected]

Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

The Department of Innovation & Technology (DolT) is the state's IT agency delivering an enterprise approach to statewide technology, innovation, and telecommunication services, as well as policy and standards development, lifecycle investment planning, and cybersecurity services. With over 1,500 employees, DolT delivers IT services and innovative solutions to customer agencies to improve services provided to Illinois residents, DolT offers employees the opportunity to advance their careers, develop new skills and reach their potential, both personally and professionally. DoIT is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.

Revolving Door: 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.

Statement of Economic Interests: This position is subject to Statement of Economic Interests filing as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

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

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Nearest Major Market:

Springfield