General Counsel; Non-Merit

Final date to receive applications 2/10/2026 (7:00 PM EST). 26-00349

General Counsel (Non-Merit)

Employment Type
EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | INELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency
Education & Labor Cabinet | Office of the Secretary

Location
500 Mero St 3rd Fl
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

The Education and Labor Cabinet (ELC) is committed to educating, preparing, training, and protecting Kentucky’s current and future workforce. The Cabinet works to continuously improve the Commonwealth’s education and workforce systems, ensuring Kentuckians are prepared for a 21st-century economy while helping employers find the skilled workers they need to grow and compete.

The Office of Legal Services, Division of Workplace Standards, is seeking a General Counsel to provide legal guidance and representation to the Department of Workplace Standards (DWS) and its leadership. This position advises on legal issues related to the enforcement of workplace laws, including wages and hours, occupational safety and health standards, and child labor laws.

• Provide specialized and complex legal services to the Department of Workplace Standards and the Education and Labor Cabinet, including advising the DWS Commissioner, division management staff, and the Executive Director of the Office of Legal Services.
• Interpret and advise on Kentucky statutes, administrative regulations, and applicable federal labor laws affecting DWS programs, enforcement actions, and policy decisions.
• Represent the Cabinet in administrative proceedings and litigation, including preparing, coordinating, and prosecuting complex workplace standards cases before state and federal courts.
• Provide legal interpretations and guidance to the Cabinet Secretary and agency leadership.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations and supervision of the Division of Workplace Standards legal staff.
• Provide general administrative and policy support as directed by the Executive Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in good standing.

• Kentucky wage and hour laws
• Occupational safety and health regulations
• Child labor laws
• Experience working with OSHA or a workplace safety agency, or in labor, employment, or administrative law enforcement.

The Education and Labor Cabinet participates in E-Verify. Upon acceptance of a job offer and completion of Form I-9, ELC will use E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, or if you believe ELC has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at  or (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-verify

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Leah Boggs at LBoggs

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D