Labor & Employment Law Attorney (Legal Advisor II)

Summary: The Illinois Secretary of State is seeking a Legal Advisor II to serve as a staff attorney performing complex legal functions related to labor and employment law. The role involves providing legal advice, conducting research, and assisting with labor relations and policy changes within the Department of Personnel. 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 Required Qualifications: - Requires possession of a license to practice law in Illinois - Requires one (1) year of professional experience in the practice of law - Requires extensive knowledge of federal and state labor law including but not limited to 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 Preferred Qualifications: - Preferred candidate with experience in litigating labor and employment matters - Preferred candidate with experience in the skills indicated in the previous section above Required Skills: Labor Law, National Labor Relations Act, Illinois Labor Relations Act, Family, Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, Litigation, Administrative Proceedings, Mediation, Arbitration, Unfair Labor Practices, Unemployment Law, Judicial Procedure, Quasi-Judicial Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Hearing Procedures, Trial Procedures, Management Practices, Judgement