County Attorney III - Midlands Region

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term DIS,

Life Insurance

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

State Retirement Plan and DeferredComp

Job summary

State of South Carolina’s Department of Social Services in the Midlands region seeks County Attorney III level attorneys to provide professional legal services for county offices, adoption offices, and licensing offices, including Family Court representation on child protection and related matters.

Responsibilities include removal actions, permanency planning, and legal proceedings; strong knowledge of state and federal law is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school and three (3) years experience as a practicing attorney.
• Must be a member of the SC BAR (Necessary Special Requirement).
• Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Represents the agency in Family Court on child protection, foster care, adoption, adult protection and Economic Services.
• Represents the agency in all matters pertaining to emergency or non-emergency removal of children and vulnerable adults and related pleadings.
• Prepares, files and serves pleadings, motions, orders, notices, and other court documents.
• Conducts case staffing meetings and prepares cases for court, including discovery, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing agency documentation.
• Complies with agency policy and state/federal law in permanency planning and termination of parental rights.
• Uses the Legal Case Management System for legal operations and documentation.
• Attends trainings and reviews legislation and case law; participates in agency meetings.
• May be required to perform Red Cross shelter/emergency response duties.

Education

Juris Doctor Degree

Tools

Legal Case Management System

Job description

Multiple Positions Available in Midlands Region

(Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, McCormick, Richland, Saluda, Union, York)

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Will be required to perform Red Cross shelter/emergency response duties as directed.

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.

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.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

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 / Midlands Region