General Counsel I - Department of Health at State of Vermont

Overview

This position exists to provide confidential legal services and advice to the Commissioner, the Department, and its staff; to manage the Department’s Legal Unit; to oversee legal work throughout the Department; to coordinate with the Attorney General's Office (AGO) regarding the preparation and conduct of the Department’s litigation; to coordinate with the Governor's Legal Counsel and other Agency of Human Services general counsels, including the Agency General Counsel; to provide the Commissioner advice on delegations of the Commissioner's authority. The Chief Legal Counsel is a member of the Department’s Senior Leadership Team and requires an active Vermont law license.

Who May Apply

This position, General Counsel I - Department of Health (Job Requisition #49327), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact [email protected].
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

 

AHS BACKGROUND CHECKS: Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The individual in this position must have graduated from an accredited law school or demonstrate similar legal training, be licensed to practice law in the State of Vermont and maintain continuing education requirements. The incumbent must maintain a thorough foundation in the principles and practices of law in order to provide expert advice and counsel to the Department’s legal activities. The incumbent must possess extensive knowledge of administrative and health and public health law. Health and public health law includes both federal and state statutes, rules and policies relating to the Department of Health programs.

The individual in this position must have the ability to organize facts and apply legal principles and pertinent statutes; the ability to understand and explain federal and state laws, rules, regulations, policies, and programs; and the ability to prepare and examine legal documents. The incumbent must thoroughly understand and be able to use the legal methods, practices and procedures required by the Department within the limitations set by executive staff, rule, and law. The incumbent must understand the legislative and judicial processes and be able to examine and prepare legal instruments associated with either process.

The individual in this position must be able to identify statutes and rules applicable to Department matters, develop written recommendations that resolve conflicts in legal authority and Department policies, and advise the Commissioner and other final decision-makers in the Department of the legal consequences of alternative actions.

A thorough knowledge of and ability to recognize legal issues and recommend actions to remedy problems is required. Again, exceptional oral and written communication skills are mandatory. The incumbent must be able to write complete, comprehensive, and effective reports, rules, statements, and correspondence, and communicate orally with all levels of personnel in state government and concerned citizen groups. Since relationships are many and varied, good human relations skills are essential requirements. The ability to maintain effective relationships with a variety of persons from within and without the Department is required.

The individual in this position should understand health equity principles and practices in public health as well as a demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity, diversity, and inclusion in your professional work. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results orientation.

The incumbent must be able to work independently; be able to organize and prioritize projects; and be able to create schedules and work plans to ensure that projects will be completed promptly and within any applicable deadlines. The incumbent must develop creative solutions to substantive and procedural problems consistent with Department policy and legal requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.