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Job Responsibilities

THIS POSITION HAS BEEN REPOSTED. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT RE-APPLY AS ALL QUALIFIED APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Mission Statement

The mission of the State of South Carolina Department of Insurance is to protect the insurance consumers, the public interest, and the insurance marketplace by ensuring the solvency of insurers; by enforcing and implementing the insurance laws of the State; and by regulating the insurance industry in an efficient, courteous, responsive, fair, and equitable manner. For more information about working at the SC Department of Insurance, please visit Department of Insurance, SC - Official Website | Official Website

This position is located in the Office of General Counsel.

• Under general supervision of the General Counsel, this position is responsible for supporting the internal operations and administrative and planning functions of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel and assist with the drafting and implementation of policies and procedures designed to enhance the Department’s internal operations.

Provides legal support to designated business units (e.g., Procurement, Taxation, Human Resources and Information Technology); serves as legal advisor for these business units, effectively manages workflow from and relationships with all levels of management of each unit. Identifies law-related training needs of business clients; develops and delivers targeted training through various mechanisms including written materials, video conference, webcasts, classroom, and staff presentations.

Researches and maintains current knowledge of applicable foreign, federal and state data privacy and network security laws and industry standards; monitor advancements in data privacy and network security technology; works with General Counsel to ensure organizational compliance with applicable laws and regulations considering technical developments; works closely with the Deputy Director for Administration and Privacy Liaison to develop data privacy and network security policies and compliance standards; provides legal advice regarding website privacy and other electronic transactions; develops protocol for handling data breaches and handle legal aspects of compliance with foreign and domestic laws regarding data breaches; assists with the development of information security and privacy awareness programs for the SCDOI; provides legal advice on issues related to other information technology initiatives, such as Internet telephony and new workstation platforms; develops, implements, and monitors 3rd party agreements to ensure compliance with data privacy and network security requirements and state procurement rules and regulations; assists with investigations and other issues related to the South Carolina Insurance Data Security Act; and reviews and responds to subpoenas, South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and other external requests for information.

Provides transactional support in negotiation and drafting DOI contracts and agreements, as necessary; ensure that all contracts comply with State Procurement rules; reviews all DOI Requests for Proposals and represent the Department in any meeting, hearing or action involving the agency; help maintain a contracts database with agreements and forms.

Represent the Department as needed in grievance, workers’ compensation and other employment-related actions; assists with the development and implementation of policies that mitigate risk and promote compliance with existing and developing laws and regulations; drafts and maintains employment-related documents, policies, and processes; assists with the design and implementation of training programs and materials designed to manage employment related risk.

Oversees the Department’s acceptance of Service of Process on insurers in the State of South Carolina.

Monitors legislation, regulations, case law, and government enforcement activities relating to the above substantive legal areas, and provide proactive, strategic advice to the relevant stakeholders. and keeps legal management informed and solicits input on significant legal issues.

Manages or leads certain privileged internal audits, investigations and process reviews, and new policy and program creation and implementation; partners, advises, and collaborates with other lawyers within the Office of General Counsel, and key teams and stakeholders across the Department on relevant matters/issues. Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

A Juris Doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney. Admission to the South Carolina Bar and the federal courts of this state is required. A minimum of 7 years legal experience is required with 2 or more years experience as in house counsel with experience in handling information law and management, contracts, privacy or data security.

Knowledge of the state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the practice areas cited above including privacy and data security, and contracts.

Demonstrated leadership qualities including ability to build effective working relationships with key constituents across the Department.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with insurance principles, management and litigation experience, IAPP/US or other equivalent data security certifications, knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and ability to access legal research databases. Some travel may be required.

Strong people and change management skills and the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Results-oriented with ability to handle a multitude of tasks simultaneously.

Additional Comments

The Department of Insurance offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

• Employee Assistance Program

  • Free counseling sessions for employees and household members
  • Free legal counseling
  • Free financial counseling

• Flexible Work Schedules

• Compressed work weeks

• Part-time telecommuting

• Flex-time

• Free Gym Access

• Growth Opportunities

• Certifications/designation program allowing for salary increases and bonuses

• Infants at Work Program

• Employees eligible to bring their newborn/infant to the workplace

• Free Garage Parking

• This position is potentially eligible for Public Student Loan Forgiveness.*

Educational Credentials

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to submit a sealed, certified copy of the transcript(s) prior to beginning employment. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript will result in any conditional offer of employment being rescinded.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the South Carolina Department of Insurance to provide equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees and applicants without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including, but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), disability or age.

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.