Assistant General Counsel Health Promotion and Services

Job Responsibilities

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Under limited general supervision of the Chief Counsel for Health Promotion and Services, conducts legal research and provides legal advice to program staff and agency management. Represents the Department in litigation in state and federal courts and at administrative hearings.

Work under the supervision of the agency’s Chief Counsel for Health Promotion and Services (HPS), providing legal advice to the Health Promotion and Services programs. Work closely with the program directors and staff engaged in specialized areas of health care delivery and public health services and initiatives. Assist with the promulgation of regulations. Advise Health Promotion and Services staff on state and federal health privacy, statutory, and regulatory matters, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).

Conduct complex legal research and draft legal opinions and memoranda. Engage in public speaking opportunities, including creating and delivering educational and informational presentations within and outside the Department of Public Health. Provide assistance in the development of Department policies and procedures, training, and compliance. Draft and review contracts prior to Department release.

Represent the agency and its Health Promotion and Services programs in meetings and negotiations and in responding to inquiries from the public, the community, and opposing legal counsel. On a limited basis, represent the agency and its Health Promotion and Services programs in litigation in the probate, family, state, administrative, and federal courts. Participate in the agency’s Incident Command Structure during emergencies as needed.

Review and advise Health Promotion and Services programs on changes in statutory law, regulations, significant case law, or agency policy. Draft, review, revise, and ensure the accuracy and proper content, form, and grammar of legal documents related to Health Promotion and Services programs. Review and work with program staff on revisions of documents prepared by staff to ensure legal accuracy and sufficiency and proper content, form, and grammar.

Any candidate hired for this position will be responsible for providing legal support for complex and highly sensitive public health investigations and interventions.

State

Minimum Requirements:

A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Agency

Additional Requirements:

• Have at least two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney (which may include judicial clerkships)
• Possess a Juris Doctor from an ABA‑accredited law school
• Be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Have completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403; S.C. Appellate Court Rules

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

• Experience in public health law, education in public health‑related curriculum, or training and experience in healthcare compliance or a health‑related industry.
• Experience with the state process for regulation promulgation.
• Experience in litigation.

EEO: The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Applicants needing…