Special Assistant; Non-Merit

Commonwealth of Kentucky provided pay range

This range is provided by Commonwealth of Kentucky. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$80,000.00/yr - $95,000.00/yr

The Office of Legal Services (OLS), within the Office of the Secretary at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), provides legal counsel, policy guidance, and regulatory oversight to support the Cabinet’s mission. OLS plays a critical role in ensuring CHFS programs operate in compliance with state and federal law. This Special Assistant position provides executive-level legal and policy support to the General Counsel, with primary responsibility for legal matters related to Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program (KMCP).

This position plays a key role in shaping the legal and regulatory framework for a complex, statewide program.

• Coordinating, overseeing, and representing OLS in all litigation and legal matters involving the OMC.
• Managing and coordinating responses to open records requests related to the medical cannabis program.
• Providing expert legal advice, research, and policy guidance related to medical cannabis.
• Drafting, reviewing, analyzing, and monitoring administrative regulations, legislation, standard operating procedures, and written processes in coordination with the Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC).
• Serving as OLS’s representative in meetings related to medical cannabis.
• Collaborating across CHFS divisions, other state and federal agencies, and external partners.
• Acting as the primary liaison between OLS and OMC executive leadership to ensure consistent legal alignment and communication.

• Has strong experience in regulatory, administrative, or policy-focused legal work.
• Is comfortable exercising independent judgment and discretion in high-impact, policy-making environments.
• Can navigate sensitive and evolving legal, political, and regulatory issues with professionalism and flexibility.
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, internal partners, and external stakeholders.
• Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly related to regulations, legislation, and legal analysis.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment where legal guidance directly shapes statewide programs and policy direction.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in U.S. CHFS will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that CHFS has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at  or https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..