Assistant General Counsel - Foia

 Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code:        5847

Job Title:         Assistant General Counsel - FOIA
Salary Grade:  24
Department:    Legal and Labor Affairs

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel - FOIA is responsible for providing quality and efficient legal services to the Cook County Sheriff's Office ("CCSO"). The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will be responsible for coordinating all FOIA requests for CCSO records in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.

The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will assist the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, Assistant General Counsels and Special Counsel where needed in managing all aspects of CCSO litigation, labor and employment matters, grievances and arbitrations.  The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will also be responsible for any other legal matters as directed by the Deputy General Counsel and Assistant General Counsels.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Process all requests for records submitted by the public pursuant to FOIA and ensure that the CCSO's response(s) to all requests are compliant with FOIA and state/federal law.

Review and investigate all initial FOIA requests. Serve as the liaison between the Departments in order to gather, and ultimately review, all responsive reviews. 

Prepare written responses to all requests in a timely manner as required under the FOIA statute.

Maintain the CCSO's electronic FOIA database by inputting and updating data.

Prepare written responses to the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor (PAC)'s inquiries and formal Requests for Review.

Assist where needed in the management of all CCSO litigation; monitor the Cook County State's Attorney's Civil Division and Special State's Attorneys in litigation matters including the preparation, review and disclosure of all pleadings, discovery responses and materials, the coordination of witness preparation and deposition testimony, oversee all trial preparation, filings and litigation.

Review laws and regulations affecting the Sheriff's Office. Render legal opinions, provide legal advice and counsel to anticipate, avoid, mitigate, or resolve potential or pending legal issues, disputes, and litigation. Assist in the creation and review of proposed written directives, policies and procedural manual changes.

Respond to questions regarding federal, state, and local laws and their impact on the Cook County Sheriff's Office, performing research into statutory and case law as necessary to advise the Cook County Sheriff's Office in its day-to-day operations and policy decisions.

Handle employee matters that involve County or State administrative bodies.  Participate in departmental disciplinary procedures and assist in establishing policies to foster positive relationships with and among employees.

As needed, act as a hearing officer for administrative matters including but not limited to inmate disciplinary hearings. 

Assist with the review and monitoring of existing and expired contracts, including but not limited to, grants, county contracts, memorandum of understanding, intergovernmental agreements and professional service agreements to ensure that the vendor and CCSO are both complying with terms of the contract.  

Conduct legal research and complete tasks set forth by General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel or Special Counsel in an organized and thorough manner. Prioritization and deadlines will be established by the supervising Assistant General Counsel.

Assist with litigation, employment, labor and all other Legal Department functions as directed by the Assistant General Counsels, General Counsel or designees.

Maintain confidentiality and ensure that the organization faithfully performs pursuant to federal, state, and local statutes, regulations and ordinances. Adhere to the code of ethics and professionalism.
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to use computer-based technologies to manipulate, create, store and retrieve information

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database maintenance.

Ability to communicate well with others, to answer questions and inquiries, and to coordinate communication and updates concerning FOIA to relevant Department personnel.

Excellent organizational skills.

Excellent legal research, writing and analytical skills.

Intermediate proficiency in the use of office equipment, computers and data entry with the ability to apply these skills to his/her duties and responsibilities.     

Ability to listen and communicate effectively with others verbally and in writing with tact and courtesy.

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with supervisors in a respectful, productive and succinct manner.

Ability to track and measure activity and productivity.

Excellent critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Ability to satisfactorily prepare and complete various reports.

Ability to work well with others. 

Ability to work in close proximity to pre-trial detainees in the Cook County Jail divisions.

Knowledge of and ability to use sound judgment in identifying issues that may have a high-cost impact or legal implications for the organization, referring those issues to senior leadership.

Ability to work with limited supervision. 

Minimum Qualifications 

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.

Member of the Illinois Bar or admission to the Illinois Bar within one year of hiring date.

Ability to work within the Cook County Jail maximum, medium and minimum-security divisions.

The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA must successfully complete an electronic training within 30 days after assuming the position. Thereafter, Assistant General Counsel - FOIA must successfully complete the electronic training each year.  The Assistant General Counsel - FOIA will work with every department within the Sheriff's Office and therefore experience working with a multi-departmental agency is welcome. 

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in the government contracts and procurement field. 

Technical proficiency and ability to work within multiple electronic record systems. 

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff's Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

*Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual, applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action.  Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

At the Cook County Sheriff's Office, we value and embrace you. It's our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an international business. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff's Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship-including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff's Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant's merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.

Benefits

Health Insurance Program - Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents

Holidays - Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year

Sick Leave - Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days

Vacation Leave - Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue ten (10) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee's anniversary date of employment

Personal Days - Employees earn and accrue one (1) personal day per quarter, up to a total of four (4) Personal Days per Fiscal Year

Life Insurance - Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) times the employees annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage

Pension Plan - Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment

Deferred Compensation Program - Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

INCLUSION

We welcome you-the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that's the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.* This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the Cook County Sheriff's Office Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current Cook County Sheriff's employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County's Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ANEQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE

As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. "The Cook County Sheriff's Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff's Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff's officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff's Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable."