Legal Office Chief, Attorney 6 (PN 20072769)

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Legal Office Chief
Attorney 6

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio's prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 24 mos. exp. as licensed attorney; 12 mos. exp. in supervisory principles/techniques; 6 mos. exp. in management.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Legal Office Chief, Attorney 6 to provide executive-level legal leadership and oversight for the Department’s statewide legal program. This position serves as a senior legal advisor to agency leadership and plays a critical role in shaping legal strategy, policy development, and risk management across all department institutions, hospitals, and offices. This vital leadership position develops, implements, and coordinates comprehensive legal programs with statewide impact and provides direct assistance to the Chief Legal Counsel while supervising legal and support staff.

What you’ll do at DBH:

• Serves as a trusted legal advisor to the Agency Director, Deputy Directors, and senior leadership staff.
• Represents the Department in complex, sensitive, and confidential legal matters with significant operational and policy implications.
• Assists in the development, revision, interpretation, and implementation of agency policies, procedures, and directives related to:
  
  • Legal and administrative operations
  • Administrative rules
  • Public records requests
  • Medicaid matters
  • Licensure and certification issues

• Ensures consistent and compliant application of legal standards across the agency.

• Develops, coordinates, and administers agency legal policy.
• Manages agency litigation, including:
  
  • Assigning and monitoring cases
  • Tracking litigation progress
  • Estimating potential liability
  • Developing legal recommendations related to settlements
  • Negotiating and/or drafting settlement proposals
  • Directing preparation of legal documentation

• Reviews and approves all legal actions, documentation, settlements, and strategic legal options.
• Supervises, assigns, and evaluates legal and support staff.
• Provides mentorship, guidance, and professional development to ensure high-quality legal services.

• Delivers legal training and guidance to agency leadership and staff as needed.

   

This is an hourly position and is exempt from the bargaining units, with a pay range of 16 on the E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8\:00am to 5\:00pm (Flexible Schedule). 

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

This position is unclassified per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).