Legal Counsel - State Hospital (SCR)

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: Open until Filled
• Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.

Agency Information:

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Protecting Kansans, Promoting Recovery and Supporting Self Sufficiency

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Legal Counsel State Hospital

Compensation:

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Staff Attorney provides legal guidance and support to the behavioral health hospital to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This role advises leadership and clinical teams on legal risks, patient rights, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies, with a strong focus on mental health law, privacy, and risk management.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Legal Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws governing behavioral health services
• Advise on regulations such as patient rights, involuntary commitment laws, and confidentiality requirements
• Interpret and apply laws related to mental health treatment, including emergency detention and court-ordered care
• Monitor regulatory changes and advise leadership on operational impact

Employee Relations & Investigations (additions for unionized workforce)

• Provide legal guidance on employee relations matters involving both non-represented and union-represented employees, ensuring alignment with applicable collective bargaining agreements (KOSE agreement)
• Advise leadership and Human Resources on the disciplinary processes, investigatory procedures, and treatment of classified and unclassified employees
• Provide counsel on grievance processes, including review of grievance responses, participation in grievance meetings, and arbitration preparation as needed
• Provide counsel on issues related to claims submitted to the Kansas Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Provide counsel on ensuring compliance with the Kansas Acts Against Discrimination and the relevant regulatory Equal Employment Opportunity requirements
• Provide counsel regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and all related statutory or regulatory requirements

Risk Management & Litigation Support

• Provide legal guidance on risk mitigation strategies and incident response
• Manage and coordinate responses to legal claims, subpoenas, and litigation
• Liaise with external counsel as needed
• Review incident reports and advise on potential legal exposure

Patient Rights & Ethical Guidance

• Advise staff on patient rights issues, including consent, capacity, confidentiality, and grievances
• Support resolution of complex ethical and legal issues in patient care
• Provide guidance on guardianship, advance directives, and treatment refusal

Contracts & Agreements

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts (vendor agreements, provider contracts, service agreements, proposed easement agreements by external parties)
• Ensure contracts align with regulatory requirements and organizational risk tolerance
• Maintain contract templates and standards

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in Kansas

Experience

• 3 years of legal experience, preferably in healthcare or behavioral health
• Experience with healthcare regulations, compliance, or hospital operations preferred
• Familiarity with mental health law, civil commitment, and healthcare privacy laws

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of healthcare law, including HIPAA and behavioral health regulations
• Ability to interpret complex laws and translate into practical guidance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Collaborative approach with clinical and administrative teams

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a background check prior to employment.

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS - Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: ...

Fax: ...

Email: ...

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email - sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications - view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How to Apply for a Job - Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job - Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at .... Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to ..., or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Docking State Office Building

915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.