Employee Relations Attorney
Date Posted: Mar 23, 2026
Requisition ID: 474906
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204 Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204 Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD):
As an agency operating a shared services model, we provide the executive branch of state government with top-notch HR services. INSPD has a dedicated team of human resources professionals working in many capacities, including director-level, generalists and specialists in each discipline of human resources. Joining our team will open the door to many opportunities for lateral and upward mobility.
Role Overview:
The Indiana State Personnel Department is seeking a dedicated and qualified attorney to join our Employee Relations team as Employee Relations Counsel. The Employee Relations Counsel provides leadership, guidance, and counsel to state agencies, particularly in the areas of administrative adjudication, including providing analysis of the probabilities of potential outcomes based upon an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses management and employee bring to each case and the relevant laws, rules, policies, and precedents. Incumbent is responsible for drafting position statements in EEOC cases for agencies that have centralized their HR functions within SPD and reviewing position statements drafted by non-centralized agencies. The incumbent is also responsible for attempting to resolve employee relations disputes in an amicable fashion, using knowledge of employment law, industry practices and other policies to help parties reach an expedient resolution to minimize loss of employee wages, interruption of normal business operations, and management liabilities. The Employee Relations Counsel educates agency advocates and human resources staff on the impact of prior and recently issued decisions by SEAC, courts, and other fora while also reviewing and making recommendations on proposed changes to legislation. administrative rules, policies, and procedures.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position will be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff;
Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas;
May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts;
Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations;
May draft and review legislation and administrative rules;
Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures;
Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions;
Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development;
Sets expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures
May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence;
May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations;
Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation;
May review pleadings, motions, and discovery;
May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have:
A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney;
Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing;
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules;
Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing;
Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders;
Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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