Employment Law, Attorney ; PN

Employment Law, Attorney 5 (PN )

Join to apply for the Employment Law, Attorney 5 (PN ) role at Ohio Department of Behavioral Health.

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.

• Serves as lead legal consultant for statewide employment and labor matters, including discipline, investigations, collective bargaining, accommodations, EEO, ADA, FMLA, public records related to personnel, and workforce policy issues.
• Researches, analyzes, and interprets federal and state employment laws.
• Advises agency leadership, HR, and program administration on legal risk and compliance.

• Plans, directs, and coordinates legal activities for major departmental and system‑wide initiatives.
• Serves as DBH legal representative on statewide and multi‑agency work groups and policy committees.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory actions affecting employment and labor operations.

• Provides ongoing and project‑based legal consultation to agency leadership.
• Directs preparation and reviews legal documentation, including legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, and contracts.
• Exercises independent judgment on complex legal issues and serves as liaison with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on assigned employment and labor matters.
• Coordinates with the agency’s legislative liaison regarding employment‑related statutory and rule changes.

• Assists the Chief Legal Counsel and Legal Office Chief with employment‑related litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters before the Ohio Court of Claims and federal and state courts.
• Participates in pre‑trial conferences; reviews case documentation; assesses legal risk; and develops recommendations regarding settlement, resolution, or appeal.
• Ensures consistency with agency policy and DAS standards in the development and management of case materials.

Pay range: $43.09 - $61.56 per hour (E1 Exempt Pay Range Schedule). Normal working hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Flexible Schedule). Exempt from bargaining units. Step 1 of pay range schedule with opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and yearly raise thereafter.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code; 18 months experience as licensed attorney; 6 months experience in supervisory principles/techniques.

• Attorney/Legal
• Collaboration, Consultation, Strategic Thinking, Teamwork, Written Communication

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.

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

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health is committed to equal employment opportunity, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.