Attorney 1/2/3 (Calcasieu-CW)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 86,789,000 - 104,698,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Coverage

Parental Leave

Holidays and Leave

Retirement options

Job summary

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Louisiana seeks an attorney to serve as legal counsel for Child Welfare Services across one of nine regions. Responsibilities include handling juvenile and family law matters, filing petitions, appeals, and advising staff on policy and law with regular court appearances.

The position requires a current Louisiana license to practice law and offers a path through Attorney 1-3 with competitive hourly compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Current Louisiana license to practice law required.
• Experience in juvenile and family law preferred.
• Strong litigation and courtroom advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent the agency in all phases of Child Welfare proceedings.
• Prepare and litigate petitions, appeals, and related matters.
• Advise staff on policy and law and provide legal counsel.

Skills

Litigation

Court appearances

Policy analysis

Legal counseling

Education

Louisiana license to practice law

Job description

Department MISSION

DCFS is working to keep children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, and providing safe refuge during disasters.

About This Job

DCFS is working to keep children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, and providing safe refuge during disasters.

Department VISION

We care for the well-being and safety of Louisiana's people.

Department VALUES

Treating all people with dignity, compassion and respect, while providing services with integrity.

At The Department of Children and Family Services, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

Join Our Team at DCFS: Attorney 1-3

This administrative position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)/Child Welfare Services (CWS) within one of nine regions throughout the State of Louisiana, specializing in the area of juvenile and family law, social services law and programs.

The incumbent will be responsible for representing the agency in all phases of Child Welfare proceedings, including filing of petitions to terminate parental rights, filing appeals/writs related to Child Welfare practice, and advising staff on policy and law. Regular appearances in court are a routine part of the responsibilities of this job.

If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, this could be the opportunity for you

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• The incumbent is involved in all aspects of litigation for the assigned regional and parish offices.
• Incumbent assists other legal sections with the preparation and litigation, of numerous trials, appeals and other matters assigned that are located within the assigned regional area.
• Incumbent serves as counsel or assists in the defense of the agency or its employees in suits seeking money damages or contempt orders against DCFS, agency officials, and personnel.
• Incumbent handles administrative and judicial proceedings for child protection, foster care, family services, Family in Need of Services cases, adoption services and home development and other social services programs.
• Incumbent assists DCFS staff with child safety and welfare laws, including investigations of caretakers, day care centers, and family child day care homes.
• Incumbent is responsible for providing consultation, recommendations, and representation to the regional administrator and other DCFS staff within assigned regions.
• Incumbent recommends and participates in efforts to update and revise provisions in state and federal law in the areas of child welfare.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment. This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.

Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.

Work Location: Calcasieu Parish

Career Progression: May be filled as an Attorney 1-3 depending on qualifications.

Compensation:

• Attorney 1 $30.33 hourly (AS-619)
• Attorney 2 $32.45 hourly (AS-620)
• Attorney 3 $36.51 hourly (AS-622)

Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.

Contact Information

Tra'lecia Holmes

Department of Children and Family Services

Tra'[e-mail]

DCFS is an "Equal Opportunity Employer", and Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

Benefits

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others