DSS Attorney Supervisor

Buncombe County Government; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 107,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Buncombe County Government is seeking an Attorney Supervisor to lead the Social Work Legal Unit and provide full legal services for the Department of Social Services. The role supervises 4 attorneys, 1 program manager, 3 paralegals and 2 admin staff, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

The position supports public health and social services through legal counsel, trial preparation, and development of training plans.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree and four (4) years of experience in general law practice.
• License to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
• Experience in social services, child protective services or adult protective services preferred.
• Trial experience; preferably family and juvenile law.
• Ability to supervise and manage staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the work and personnel of the Social Work Legal Unit.
• Provide legal counsel and a full range of legal services for DSS cases.
• Supervise Attorneys, a Program Manager, Paralegals and staff to ensure effective legal support.
• Prepare cases for trial, research, interview witnesses, and present in court.
• Prepare legal documents including petitions, motions, and appeals.
• Draft court orders or supervise orders drafted by Paralegals.

Skills

Legal research

Courtroom experience

Communication skills

Social Services law

Civil law procedures

Trial experience

Staff supervision

Trauma-informed systems

Education

Juris Doctor Degree

Job description

Salary: $107,458.64 - $136,311.09 Annually

Application Deadline: Sep 14, 2026

Buncombe County Health and Human Services' purpose is to strengthen our communities by advancing health, safety, and opportunity. This department offers services in Public Assistance, Public Health, Social Work Services and Veteran Services.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services is hiring for our Attorney Supervisor. This position reports to our Health and Human Services director. The Attorney Supervisor directly supervises 4 Attorneys and 1 Program Manager who oversee 3 paralegals and 2 administrative staff for a total of 10 staff. This team provides all legal support for Social Work Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services cases and judicial orders.

This position is hybrid, meaning the candidate will work both in office and remotely. The selected candidate must reside or relocate within a 2-hour drive of downtown Asheville.

THIS POSITION WILL BE POSTED UNTIL FILLED

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to oversee the work and personnel of the Social Work Legal Unit; serve as legal counsel and provides a full range of legal services for cases associated with the Department of Social Services in Buncombe County.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Juris Doctor Degree and four (4) years of experience in the general practice of law; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience:

Experience in the general practice of law with trial experience; preferably with experience in family and juvenile law.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:

License to practice law in the State of North Carolina

Essential Functions of the position:

• Provide Personnel/Team Management to ensure a competent workforce.


• Ensure efficient and effective workflows, implement changes in work practices and procedures as needed to modify unit functioning according to programmatic and departmental needs.


• Consult and work with the Program Managers and Division Managers to implement organizational strategies.


• Develop and implement Division wide training plans related to the practice model related to legal matters.


• Assure compliance with all applicable policy, rules, and governmental statutes (local, state, and federal) specific to all program areas as well as all county and human resource policies covered by local, state, and federal laws.


• Prepare cases for trial by performing research, interviewing witnesses, and talking with experts as it relates to the case and presents cases in court.


• Prepare legal documents such as petitions, motions, and appeals.


• Draft court orders and/or oversee the drafting of orders by Paralegal staff.


• Provide legal consultation to the HHS Director and other leadership and staff concerning legal matters arising in the course and scope of the duties of assigned programmatic work.


• Contribute to building a Trauma Responsive Culture that emphasizes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts throughout services provided by the legal team.


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of state and federal law and regulations pertaining to Social Services.


• Knowledge of the principals and procedures of civil law, especially as related to child protective services and adult protective services.


• Knowledge of Inclusion Diversity, Access and Equity principles and Essential Elements of Trauma Informed Systems.


• Knowledge of the functions and powers of the Health and Human Services Board.


• Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.


• Knowledge of County government structures and operations.


• Skill in preparing and presenting court cases.


• Ability to interpret and apply laws and court decisions; and to effectively use legal source materials and technical research.


• Ability to communicate effectively with citizens, employees, and County officials both orally and in writing.


• Ability to prepare correspondence, reports, legal briefs, petitions, motions, and other documents and conform to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.


• Ability to speak in front of groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.


• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.


• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.