Departmental Specialist 14 - Legal Affairs - Children's Services Legal Division
State of Michigan See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Full Time
- $2,740 - $4,086.40
- Lansing, MI
August 21, 2025
Job Description
Salary
- Job Description
The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit our MDHHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan.
This position is located within the Bureau of Legal Affairs, Children’s Services Legal Division (CSLD) and is the statewide legal specialist for the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) primarily in the areas of adoption, adoption subsidy, child welfare licensing-proposed orders, guardianship, and guardianship assistance. The primary MDHHS client served by this position is the Department’s Children’s Services Agency.
This position requires a proficiency of law and policy regarding adoption, adoption subsidy, child welfare licensing proposed orders, guardianship, and guardianship assistance issues, as well as a general knowledge of child welfare law. The position requires the application of independent judgment and discretion. Specifically, this position is responsible for performing legal research and analysis relative to a broad and complex variety of issues, questions, and concerns affecting MDHHS, in child welfare matters focusing on adoption, adoption subsidy, child welfare licensing-proposed orders, guardianship, and guardianship assistance, as well as providing guidance to Children’s Services Agency Central Office executive and child welfare program staff, business service center staff, local MDHHS office staff, and CSLD management/staff regarding applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, administrative rules, case law, and policy. Additionally, this position works with the Michigan Office of Attorney General (AG) in coordinating necessary legal representation his position also functions as a liaison with the AG’s office regarding departmental position, policy, and strategy involving administrative hearings and court proceedings (i.e., litigation).
This position is responsible for reviewing a court orders and opinions for legal sufficiency, appropriateness, and compliance. This position, along with any necessary supervisory direction, determines the appropriate MDHHS response to improper, inappropriate, or otherwise objectionable court orders or opinions.
Additional responsibilities include the authoring of guidance memoranda for use in setting policy, the proposing or review of legislation, and the analysis of case law.
Position Description
Job Specification
To be considered for this position you must:- apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions on submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
- meet the Selective Position Requirement (SPR): Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited school of law. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.
- relevant experience and/or education referred to in supplemental questions must be documented in resume, transcript and/or application to allow for accurate screening.
- attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
- attach a cover letter.
- if applicable, attach a copy of an official transcript(s). We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature.
- Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.ExperienceFour years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.
In addition to the minimum education and experience requirements, all applicants must meet the following Selective Position Requirement (SPR): Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited school of law. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.- Additional Requirements and Information
The physical location of this position is 235 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI. Based on operational needs and within established limits, remote work and alternate or hybrid work schedule requests for this position may be considered.
Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely or a hybrid schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.Your application for any position does not guarantee you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
Employees will be provided computers to perform state work. Phones may also be provided for necessary communications. If working remotely, employees will be responsible for providing other components of a remote office at their own expense, including:- A secure work location that allows privacy and prevents distractions.
- A high-speed internet connection of at least 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.
- Suitable lighting, furniture, and utilities.
As a Condition of Employment: this position requires successful completion of a background investigation and a criminal records check.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process; including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises.
If you previously held status in this classification and departed within the last three (3) years, please contact Human Resources regarding your interest in a potential reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed or required.
The Department of Health & Human Services reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
For information about this specific position, please email MDHHSVacancies@michigan.gov. Please reference the job posting number in subject line.
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Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
- $2,740 - $4,086.40
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