Assistant General Counsel

The Missouri Department of Mental Health is seeking to fill a vacancy for an Assistant General Counsel position. Attorney caseload may be throughout the state but is anticipated to be concentrated in the Central geographic region extending to the South and Southwestern geographic area of Missouri and occasional travel to the West, including Kansas City. Office for this position is located in Jefferson City or Kansas City, Missouri.

The base salary offered is $70,000.00 to $80,000.00 annually, commensurate with experience. The salary listed in this job description is a base salary rate. Applicants eligible for time of service pay adjustment or shift differentials may exceed the salary range listed above.

This is a highly responsible position, reporting to the Department General Counsel. The Assistant General Counsel responsibilities for this position may include:

• Assisting and advising assigned facilities in personnel matters, including but not limited to: employee leave and discipline issues; other federal and state agency inquiries and representing the facility in mediation when scheduled; union matters including representing the facility at arbitration when scheduled; and representing the facility before the DMH administrative hearings officer.
• Filing guardianships for DMH clients, including handling any hearings before the courts.
• Filing applications and representing assigned facilities before the courts in forensic matters, including but not limited to matters pertaining to: juvenile proceedings; conditional releases of individuals determined not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect (NGRI); commitment of individuals determined not competent to proceed; participating in forensic meetings and review of records in advance of such meetings.
• In addition, the Assistant General Counsel assists the General Counsel with all legal matters affecting the Department, which includes responding to subpoenas; research, review, and drafting of various documents, contract, policies and advisory opinions relating to the Department, and other matters as assigned.
• Periodic travel may be required.

(1) Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and a current license to practice law in the State of Missouri; (2) two or more years of professional legal experience, experience in administrative law, employment law and mental health or health care law, preferred; (3) communicate effectively, orally and in writing; and (4) maintain a high standard of ethics and professionalism.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

HRmail@dmh.mo.gov