Assistant General Counsel

** Statewide

Full-Time Salaried

Direct Health Services

Department of Mental Health

Office of the Director

Scheduled Hours: M-F - 8am-5pm

MINIMUM SALARY

70,000

MAXIMUM SALARY

75,000

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 Western and Northwestern geographic area of Missouri. Office located in the Kansas City area. Remote work options available.

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

• Assisting and advising assigned facilities in personnel matters, including but not limited to: employee leave and discipline issues; civil rights 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: 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. Periodic travel may be required.

Qualifications include: (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 is preferred; (3) communicate effectively, orally and in writing; and (4) maintain a high standard of ethics and professionalism. Salary is $70,000 - $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience.