DATA PRIVACY COUNSEL - 64979

Executive Service

Who we are and what we do:

The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration is established to provide stewardship of state assets through good business practices and great customer service.

Job Overview:

The Office of Evidence and Impact (OEI) fosters an executive branch-wide culture of data and evidence-based policymaking and budgeting that pursues the best outcomes for Tennesseans. The Data Privacy Counsel is embedded within OEI and works with multiple divisions of F&A and other departments and state agencies to further the use of data in decision-making, while maintaining compliance with all privacy laws and regulations. The Data Privacy Counsel will report jointly to the F&A General Counsel and Director of the Office of Evidence and Impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Below is a list of responsibilities that while not comprehensive provides an overview of the duties of the Data Privacy Counsel within the Office of Evidence and Impact/Office of General Counsel:
• Provides guidance to the Department of Finance and Administration, and specifically OEI, on legal issues related to data privacy.
• Serves as counsel to any and all data-related committees managed by OEI, including the TN DATA Leadership Committee and P-20 Advisory Committee.
• Serves as lead counsel in categorizing state data and monitoring that the use of such data complies with state and federal law, as well as any applicable state policies.
• Drafts, establishes, and manages contracts, agreements, MOUs, etc. on behalf of OEI and works in coordination with the state Central Procurement Office, as needed, to determine the appropriate contracting vehicles and processes.
• Develops and maintains all necessary data sharing/privacy documentation for the state's enterprise data analytics initiative (TN DATA), which includes the P-20 longitudinal education and workforce data system.
• Supports data sharing operations and monitors privacy compliance for the TN DATA program in coordination with OEI's Data Governance Officer.
• Provides guidance to OEI staff, as well as other F&A employees, on matters related to state and federal data privacy laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provides legal research and legal memos on data privacy issues, as requested by the Director of OEI, F&A General Counsel, Commissioner of F&A, and Governor's Office.
• Works with vendors hired by F&A to advance the state's data capabilities in a manner that ensures full compliance with all state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Works with OEI and all state departments and agencies to develop solutions to challenges associated with data privacy regulations.
• Works collaboratively, as needed, with the Chief Privacy Officer at Strategic Technology Solutions within F&A to evaluate and respond to privacy compliance issues.
• Drafts any proposed OEI legislation and amendments, and may conduct data privacy language review of legislation drafted by others.
• Position will be permitted to work from home multiple days a week.

Required Experience:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills Experience in conducting legal research on complex matters involving areas of evolving law and making recommendations to client(s)
• Ability to think strategically, problem-solve, juggle multiple priorities, and remain attentive to details
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills Ownership of results, with a standard for excellence
• Must have a Juris Doctorate, an active license to practice law in the State of Tennessee, and 5+ years experience in legal issues related to data privacy CIPP/US or other recognized privacy or compliance certification preferred Experience working in the governmental sector preferred (local, state, or federal)

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.