County Attorney III / 61015094

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid parental leave

15 vacation days

13 holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

The State of South Carolina Department of Social Services seeks a County Attorney III to provide professional legal services for county offices and licensing offices. The role includes supervising attorneys, managing caseloads, and representing the agency in child protection and related family court matters.

The position requires a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited school, 3 years of practice, and SC Bar membership; experience with DSS is preferred.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Three years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Must be a member of the SC Bar.
• Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal services and representation for assigned county offices and licensing offices.
• Supervise attorneys in the assigned area and oversee personnel administration.
• Prepare and file pleadings, motions, orders and notices in court actions.
• Conduct case staffing meetings and prepare cases for court with witnesses and documents.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal law in permanency planning and termination actions.
• Utilize the Legal Case Management System for document handling and case tracking.

Skills

Attorney supervision

Family Court representation

Legal research

Trial preparation

Education

Juris Doctor Degree (ABA accredited law school)

Tools

Legal Case Management System

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

Job Duties:

• The County Attorney III provides professional legal services and representation for assigned county offices, area adoption offices, and regional Day Care licensing office, including representation in Family Court on issues relative to child protection, foster care, adoption, adult protection and Economic Services.
• Serve as primary supervisor for attorneys in assigned area and supervise the legal activity in that area including, but not limited to, overseeing personnel administration. Represents the agency in all matters pertaining to emergency or non-emergency removal of children and vulnerable adults, termination of parental rights, inspection warrants, in-home protective services, permanency planning, judicial review of children or adults receiving services and any appeals resulting from such actions.
• Timely prepares, files and serves or ensures the timely preparation, filing and service of all pleadings, motions, orders, notices, rules to show cause, and other court documents related to representation of the agency in legal actions. Pleadings and proposed orders shall include all determinations required by state and federal law.
• Timely conducts case staffing meetings for the purpose of analyzing the legal status of the cases and otherwise advising staff on agency legal matters. Prepares cases for court by conducting and responding to discovery, interviewing, and preparing witnesses and reviewing agency documentation and reports from other sources.
• Complies with agency policy, state and federal law with respect to representing the agency in permanency planning hearings and termination of parental rights.
• Complies with agency policy, state and federal law regarding the provision of notice of legal proceedings to appropriate parties to agency actions.
• Utilizes or ensures the utilization of the Legal Case Management System for legal operations and documentation of legal activity in cases.
• Ensures that personal identifying information (Pll) is properly used, accessed, gathered, shared and disposed. Protects the Agency networks and applications by safeguarding systems, equipment and data.
• Establishes and maintains professional network and attends training sessions in order to enhance individual professionalism. Reviews legislation, statutory changes, and case law decisions and advises staff about the law. Participates in regular agency meetings to discuss and analyze outcomes and determine areas needed for improvement. Conducts in house training for other staff members.
• Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty or services as directed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school and three (3) years experience as a practicing attorney. Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR. Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

Additional Comments

Must possess a valid driver's license. The employee must be able to communicate effectively (written and orally) and write legibly. May be required to work after hours and/or some overnight travel and must be able to lift approximately 15-20 lbs.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package 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
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Division: Office of General Counsel / Berkeley County