General Counsel

Job Posting

Office of Information Technology Services (OITS)

Our employees are our most valuable resource, pivotal to our success. OITS is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values work-life balance. With the state's generous paid time off, including holidays, this ensures our employees have the time they need to rejuvenate. We actively support our team's professional growth through tuition and certification reimbursement, empowering them to pursue their career aspirations. With sample opportunities for continued learning, we prioritize career and leadership development and mentorship. OITS is a great place to work, come join our team!

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. OITS does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: The Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

Office of Information Technology Services

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• This position is eligible for OITS's hybrid work program. The candidate must work in the office three days a week. The supervisor and business needs will determine the hybrid schedule.

Compensation:

• Annual Salary/Hourly Rate: $120,000 - $130,000 /annual

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications

Position Summary: OITS General Counsel who will also serve as the Chief Privacy Officer. This position serves as the primary legal counsel for OITS. Legal counsel will regularly review contracts, review policies and regulations, as well as serve as the legal advisor to agency leadership. This position is also responsible for identifying, evaluating and reporting on information privacy risks in a manner that meets compliance and regulatory requirements. This position requires a visionary leader with sound knowledge of business management and a working knowledge of information privacy practices. The CPO/GC will proactively work with state business units to implement practices that meet defined policies and standards for information privacy.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as legal counsel to the agency and Chief Information Technology Officer
• Perform legal review of contracts, MOU/MOA, and statements of work
• Participate in contract negotiations.
• Provide cyber incident response legal counsel
• Provide legal review of agency policies and regulations
• Perform related duties and fulfill responsibilities as required.
• Maintain, develop, and implement the State's information privacy program and facilitate the development of agency level privacy programs
• Assure that the use of technologies sustain, and do not erode, privacy protections relating to the use, collection, and disclosure of personal information.
• Provide direction and oversight in the development and maintenance of State information privacy policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Work directly with State agencies to facilitate privacy impact assessments and work with stakeholders throughout the enterprise on identifying privacy risk.
• Work with procurement to ensure that third-party suppliers' contracts and operating-level agreements meet privacy and cybersecurity requirements.
• Support the creation of an inventory that documents how and why the State collects, shares and uses personal data.
• Conduct or oversee privacy awareness campaigns, training and orientation for all employees.
• Provide regular reporting on the current status of the information privacy programs to senior business leaders and agency executives as part of a strategic enterprise risk management program.
• Provide strategic privacy guidance for IT projects, including the evaluation and recommendation of technical controls.
• Ensure that privacy programs are in compliance with relevant laws, regulations and policies to minimize or eliminate risk and audit findings.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in law (J.D.)
• Registered to practice law in the State of Kansas
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to communicate security and risk-related concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Must be a critical thinker, with strong problem-solving skills
• Exhibit excellent analytical skills, the ability to manage multiple projects under strict timelines, as well as the ability to work well in a demanding, dynamic environment and meet overall objectives.
• Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams to achieve tactical and strategic goals.
• Ability to obtain a professional privacy certification, such as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Information Privacy Management (CIPM), Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) or other similar credential within 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 to 10 years of experience in privacy, data protection, security, risk management, auditing and/or compliance,
• OR: 5 to 10 years of legal experience in government, law firms or multinational corporations preferred.
• Experience with information technology and cybersecurity related law to include advising clients during cybersecurity incidents
• Professional privacy certification, such as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Information Privacy Management (CIPM), Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) or other similar credentialsProfessional privacy certification, such as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), Certified Information Privacy Management (CIPM), Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) or other similar credentials

Necessary Special Requirements: Ability to obtain and retain an OITS Security and KCJIS clearances are requirement of employment and continued employment.

Disclaimer: Due to security requirements related to system access, the following will result in disqualification for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions less than 10 years, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor).

Employment Benefits:

In addition to the starting salary, the State of Kansas offers a significant benefits package that is available the first day of employment. All benefits eligible, full-time employees may elect to enroll in:

• 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
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs
• This benefits package represents additional annual compensation.

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Brenda Cripps
• Email: ...
• Mailing Address: 900 SW Jackson St, Room 803, Topeka, KS 66612

Required documents for this application to be complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and upload new if needed.
• Inside your Job Application upload these documents:

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

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User
• Complete or update your contact information on the:
• Upload required documents listed above for the Careers> My Job Applications page
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter

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

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.

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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:

Disability Hiring Preference | Kansas Department of Administration (ks.gov)

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. 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.