Assistant State�s Attorney, Child Protection Division

Cook County State's Attorney Office; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan through Cook County

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office invites applications for an Assistant State’s Attorney, Child Protection Division in Chicago. The role focuses on management of a busy child protection docket, including abuse, neglect, termination of parental rights, and permanency hearings, with extensive motions and court practice.

Minimum qualifications include a J.D. and at least three years of licensed attorney experience, with a strong interest in child protection and a commitment to family

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney.
• Experience in child welfare or family law preferred.
• Strong interest in child protection and family reunification.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily court call and all aspects of child protection caseloads, including adjudication and trials.
• Conduct extensive motion practice and permanency hearings.
• Interact with DCFS, investigators, clinicians, judges, and stakeholders to secure best outcomes for children and families.
• This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Welcome to the Cook County State's Attorney Office Job Board. As one of the largest legal services providers in the nation employing over 700 attorneys, we are committed to not only upholding the law and safeguarding the rights of all citizens, but also fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects the community we serve.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office provides a wealth of opportunities to make a difference and serve the community. We are looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about justice, equity, and public service.

Our Job Board is regularly updated with opportunities across a range of roles, from legal and administrative to investigative. Each role is integral to our mission and contributes significantly to our office's effectiveness.

By joining our team, you will be part of a dynamic workforce that values integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. You will have the chance to work on meaningful cases, learn from experienced colleagues, and contribute to creating a safer and more just Cook County.

Explore our current openings below and find where you fit in our mission to pursue justice and serve the public.

To do justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities.

Our Vision:

We're committed to creating a safer, stronger Cook County. That means approaching every case with integrity, demanding accountability, and increasing our presence in the community. Our success is not measured convictions. We believe in doing what's right - fighting for the best, fairest outcomes, whatever form that takes. It's our responsibility to address the historic inequities in our justice system. Everyone deserves a fair shot at justice, regardless of their zip code, paycheck, or the color of their skin.

Assistant State’s Attorney, Child Protection Division

***Applicants must have at least three years litigation experience as a licensed attorney upon submission of the application.***

Job Title: Assistant State’s Attorney, Child Protection Division

Reports to: Bureau Chief, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Supervisors in the Juvenile Justice Bureau, Child Protection Division

Division/Unit: Child Protection

Salary: AYN 103 – AYN 123 ($101,509 - $162,348). Salary ranges are provided by law; however, individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, years and quality of experience. Any salary offered is non-negotiable.

Note: Employees must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The CCSAO does not sponsor employees for work visas.

Note: This position is on-site, in-person.

General Description:

The primary responsibility of an Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to the Child Protection Division is the management of a daily court call and the handling of all aspects of a caseload of child protection matters, including adjudication of abuse, neglect, and dependency petitions, termination of parental rights trials, extensive motion practice, and permanency hearings.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Review DCFS and social service agency documentation, medical, psychiatric, school and law enforcement records having to do with child abuse and neglect petitions, interview and prepare witnesses and work up child protection cases for trials and corollary hearings.
• Regular daily litigation including motion practice, adjudication and termination of parental rights trials and permanency hearings in all phases of child protection proceedings.
• Interact regularly in and outside of court with victims, DCFS investigators, social workers, foster care caseworkers, judges, law enforcement, family members, foster parents, social service agency providers and clinicians, community representatives, medical professionals and mental health professionals regarding cases in the Child Protection Division to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
• This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited institution.
• At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney.
• Prior litigation experience, significant legal writing experience, or prior work in the child welfare or social work field.
• A strong interest in child protection and / or family law and
• An understanding of, and a commitment to, family reunification principles.

Working Environment: Each Child Protection Division ASA is responsible for the daily operations of a child protection court call. Each Child Protection Division ASA will collaborate with his or her Child Protection Supervisor, Child Protection Division Chief, Juvenile Justice Bureau Chief, fellow Child Protection Division ASAs, DCFS personnel, juvenile courthouse partners, and community service providers regularly. Each Child Protection Division ASA shall report directly to the Child Protection Supervisor.

The Child Protection Division Assistant State’s Attorney shall be an effective advocate and emissary of the mission, vision, and values of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Physical Requirements:

Light work. Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that he or she can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.

At Cook County, we believe in investing in you, our valued employee. We understand that your well-being directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and work-life balance. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:

Choose from a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to best suit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 13 paid holidays. As a public service employer, our employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referral services to help you navigate life's challenges. And of course, a pension plan through Cook County.