Attorney-General Counsel 3

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

The incumbent in this position serves as the chief legal counsel for the Louisiana Department of Health, (LDH) acting as senior chief legal advisor to and legal representative of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretaries, the Director of the Bureau of Health Services Financing (Medicaid), the Chief of Staff, the Executive Counsel, the Asst. Counsel/Deputy Executive Counsel (hereinafter "Deputy Executive Counsel" or "DEC"), and others involved in the executive management of the department. As General Counsel, incumbent supervises a staff of a minimum of 40 positions, including multiple Deputy General Counsels 2 and Deputy General Counsels 1, a minimum of thirty (30) additional Attorneys, an executive staff officer, several program managers and monitors, and administrative support staff. The General Counsel reports directly to, and receives direction from, the LDH Deputy Executive Counsel; the General Counsel also receives direction from the LDH Executive Counsel.

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law plus six years of experience as a practicing attorney. The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.Job Duties:

• Direct, coordinate, and oversee all legal services for the department, providing legal counsel and strategic guidance to executive leadership on applicable laws, regulations, policies, and agency operations.
• Represent the department in litigation, administrative hearings, and state and federal court proceedings, while preparing legal opinions, contracts, legislation, and other legal documents to protect the agency's interests.
• Provide proactive legal advice to identify, prevent, and resolve legal risks, assisting executive management in making informed policy and operational decisions.
• Administer and manage the Bureau of Legal Services by supervising staff, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, providing training, and implementing personnel actions.
• Advise executive management, senior staff, and state, federal, and local officials on legal matters affecting agency programs, operations, investigations, and confidential issues.
• Oversee legal representation involving agency litigation, claims, collections, and enforcement actions, including instituting, defending, prosecuting, intervening in, or otherwise representing the agency in legal proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations while directing the overall legal business of the agency and supporting the Secretary and executive leadership in achieving departmental goals.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of the Secretary / Legal / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position will be filled as a Probationary appointment

Cost Center: 3071070203

Position Number(s): 2720

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For information on how to check your application status and understand status updates, please click HERE.

Contact Information:

Deanda Thymes

[email protected]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.