LEGAL COUNSEL (BHDDH)

Department

Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Division

Legal

Salary

$96,493.00 - $109,352.00

Job Profile

JC-02993500-99 - Legal Counsel (BHDDH) (Non-Union Executive Branch)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm

35 Hours - Non-Standard

Opening Date

March 13, 2026

Closing Date

March 22, 2026

Job Requisition Number

JR101328 LEGAL COUNSEL (BHDDH) (Open)

Pay Grade

C00136 A

Classification

Legal Counsel (BHDDH)

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To perform specialized legal research and provide legal services to the various divisions or agencies within the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) in the areas of psychiatric, medical and administrative hearings and in labor arbitrations; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a superior with latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent legal judgement.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: As required, plans, organizes, coordinates, directs and reviews the work of a staff assigned to assist.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• To perform specialized legal research and provide legal services to the various divisions or agencies within the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) in the areas of psychiatric, medical and administrative hearings and in labor arbitrations.
• In conjunction with the Director, Executive Director, and Assistant Director of Legal Services, to represent the Department in court at civil commitment hearings, competency reviews and petitions for instructions.
• As directed, to cooperate with the Attorney General's Office in preparing cases referred to that office for trial; to prepare the legal research and evidence necessary for the proper trial of such cases.
• As directed, to represent the Department in administrative hearings, labor arbitration hearings, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission hearings and Division of employment Security hearings.
• As directed, to draft legislation concerning mental health, people with an intellectual and developmental disability and substance abuse and amendments thereof.
• To prepare and/or review Department contracts and leases.
• To keep abreast of new federal and state laws which relate to the Department's legal obligations; to alert and advise the departmental officials on the Department as to the legal and administrative effects of such legislation.
• To provide in-service training on legal issues to employees of the Department.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of federal and state laws relating to mental health, people with an intellectual and developmental disability, substance abuse, equal employment opportunity (EEO) and labor; a thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and theory of the practice of law and the ability to employ this knowledge in providing legal advice and service; the ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in complex and difficult cases and to present such material in clear and logical form for oral or written presentations as briefs, opinions or decisions; the ability to draft legal instruments and legislation; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Such as may have been gained through: graduation from and accredited law school; and

Experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment as a practicing attorney in a responsible position.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must be a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association and must maintain such membership as a condition of employment.

Supplemental Information

Applicant must be a member of the Rhode Island Bar and must maintain such membership as a condition of employment. Additionally, applicant must have demonstrated litigation experience and/or mental health law experience.

The individual hired to fill this position will have access to Federal tax Information (FTI), as defined in IRS Publication 1075, and, as such, must undergo a national fingerprint background screening in accordance with the criteria set forth in regulation 220-RICR-40-00-2 (IRS Publication 1075 - Background Check Process and Criteria), available at https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/220-40-00-2. Additionally, the individual is being hired to an E-Verify site which contains FTI and must have their employment eligibility validated through E-Verify.

https://www.everify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPoster.pdf

https://everify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/EVerify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.