Deputy Chief Legal Counsel

OverviewA Deputy General Counsel position for the Illinois Prisoner Review Board (IPRB) reporting to the General Counsel. This role provides technical and strategic assistance in preparing, developing and implementing rules and policies on legal issues. It also has principal administrative responsibility for the statewide Preliminary Hearing Program, may serve as a hearing officer when needed, identifies program problems and issues and makes recommendations for resolutions, receives and reviews FOIA requests and prepares responses in conjunction with the FOIA Officer, and prepares responses on behalf of the Board. We invite those interested in public safety to apply.Location: This position will be located at either 1001 N. Walnut Street, Springfield, IL or at 555 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL.Position DetailsPosition OverviewThe Illinois Prisoner Review Board is seeking to hire a motivated, self-starting Deputy General Counsel that will report directly to the General Counsel. This position provides technical and strategic assistance to the General Counsel in preparing, developing and implementing rules and policies on legal issues. The position will also have principal administrative responsibility for the statewide Preliminary Hearing Program, serve as a hearing officer when needed, identifies program problems and issues and makes recommendations for resolutions, and receives and reviews FOIA requests and prepares responses, in conjunction with the FOIA Officer, and prepares responses on behalf of the Board. We invite those interested in public safety to apply.Essential FunctionsProvides technical and strategic assistance to the General Counsel in preparing, developing and implementing rules and policies on legal issues confronting the Board and its statutory functions relating to hearings. Assists the General Counsel with Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests.This position will have principal administrative responsibility for the statewide Preliminary Hearing Program. Serves as a resource to government officials, attorneys, and the public, by providing legal opinions, interpretations, and advice with respect to the Prisoner Review Board policy, procedures, and applicable state and federal laws.Primarily responsible for administrative work for preliminary hearings statewide. Serves as a Hearing Officer traveling to attend and/or conduct preliminary and complex hearings. When prioritizing and executing hearings protocols, the Deputy General Counsel is the principal implementer of Board policy and exercises the Board's statutory authority when acting.Drafts and reviews contracts and grants.Provides legal interpretations of statutes, regulations and policies for agency staff.Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.Minimum QualificationsRequires having graduated from an accredited law schoolRequires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or private legal organization, preferably in the areas of criminal justice or administrative lawRequires to be in, and maintain, good standing with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary CommissionPreferred QualificationsPrefers the ability to successfully apply learned knowledge and techniques to working environmentPrefers working knowledge of principles of administration and management, including organization, controls and techniques used in dealing with management and procedural problemsPrefers the skills and ability in analyzing, appraising and organizing facts, evidence, and precedents and in presenting such material, involving a moderately complex problem; in clear and logical form in written media briefs, memoranda, summarizations, research reports or regulationsPrefers the ability to maintain satisfactory public contracts and working relationships with others; to exercise sound judgement in appraising and evaluating problems of procedural nature; and to use expediently all primary and secondary legal source materials to analyze all legal documents and instruments to prepare, conduct and report formal and informal hearingsPrefers the skill and ability to run computer operating systems, basic knowledge of Office Suites, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access; ability to operate and manage WebEx software and internet-based platformsPrefers working knowledge of the agency's programs, operations and policiesEmployment ConditionsPossession of a valid current driver's licenseAbility to successfully pass Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police and county jail background checks, as necessary, to enter required correctional facilities throughout IllinoisAbility to travel statewide to conduct screenings and hearings which could include overnight staysThis position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.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 fineThe conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.About the AgencyThe Illinois Prisoner Review Board's mission is to function under statutory authority as a quasi-judicial body with a primary focus on public safety. It further acts as a checks and balances on other state and local institutions. The Board imposes release conditions for incarcerated individuals who are exiting penal facilities, revokes and restores good conduct credits from inmates and conducts hearings to determine whether parolees have violated conditions of parole. The Board also notifies victims and their families when an inmate is about to be released from custody. Finally, the Board makes confidential recommendations to the Governor relative to clemency petitions. To learn more about our agency click here.Work Hours and ContactWork Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Work Location: 1001 N Walnut St, Springfield, Illinois, 62702Agency Contact: Nichole DamhoffEmail: #: 217-782-7273Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance; Leadership & Management; Public SafetyThe 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:@ #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-26