Assistant State’s Attorney, Child Protection Division

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

PSLF program

13 paid holidays

Health benefits

Job summary

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office seeks an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Child Protection Division to manage daily court calls and handle all aspects of child protection matters, including abuse, neglect, and termination of parental rights petitions.

Based in Chicago, this full-time on-site role requires three years of licensed attorney experience with substantial litigation and strong legal writing, and a genuine commitment to family reunification principles and public service.

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited institution.
• At least three years of experience as a licensed attorney.
• Prior litigation experience, significant legal writing, or work in child welfare or social work.

Responsibilities

• Review records and interview witnesses for child protection cases.
• Conduct regular litigation including adjudication, trials, and permanency hearings.
• Collaborate with DCFS, investigators, social workers, judges, and other stakeholders to achieve best outcomes for children and families.
• This is a full-time bargaining unit exempt position.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal writing

Child protection interest

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Who We Are

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) is a diverse and dedicated team of professionals committed to justice and safety for over five-million residents. As the second-largest prosecutor's office in the U.S., the CCSAO prosecutes criminal and regulatory violations across six bureaus and four units with a staff of over 1,200.

Our Mission

To uphold justice and public safety in Cook County by fairly, ethically, and effectively prosecuting crime, supporting victims, and protecting the rights of all residents.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking individuals who share our passion for justice, diversity, and the well-being of the community. Whether you are a legal professional, an investigator, or an administrative specialist, we value dedication, integrity, and a commitment to our values of accountability, respect, and fairness. Join our team if you are ready to make a tangible impact, work collaboratively, and uphold the principles of justice with unwavering dedication. At the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, your skills and values will help shape a safer and stronger Cook County.

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

Assistant State’s Attorney, Child Protection Division

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

Location: 1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, 6th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60612

Bureau: Juvenile Justice Bureau

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.

Job Expectations

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Benefits

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.

Follow this link to the Cook County Benefits and this link to Cook County Pension Fund if you want to learn more about our amazing benefit coverage. The CCSAO does not provide relocation assistance.