HSC General Counsel

South Dakota AG; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Job summary

The Division of Legal Services within the South Dakota Department of Social Services seeks an experienced attorney to serve as HSC General Counsel, based in Sioux Falls or Yankton, SD. This permanent, full-time position involves leading litigation efforts and supervising other attorneys across the state, with travel as needed.

The ideal candidate will be a licensed SD attorney with strong ethics, effective communication, and strategic litigation skills, ready to support open records and

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school.
• Be a member of the South Dakota State Bar or willing to become a member.
• Qualified to appointment as Special Assistant Attorney General. Tribal court admission/experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department in litigation, including administrative hearings and circuit court.
• Provide leadership within the Division of Legal Services and the Department.
• Assist with strategic planning and interdepartmental coordination.
• Supervise other attorneys and manage staff in a supervisory role.

Skills

Litigation experience

Leadership

Communication

Ethical conduct

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Department of Social Services

Division of Legal Services

Job ID: 37731

Job Title: HSC General Counsel

Location: Sioux Falls or Yankton, South Dakota (some travel expected)

Salary: Depending on experience

Pay Grade: L3

Employment Type: Permanent Employee - 40 hours weekly

The Department of Social Services seeks an attorney committed to serving the public. To learn more about the DSS and whom we serve, please visit https://dss.sd.gov.

The Division of Legal Services within the South Dakota Department of Social Services is seeking to hire a highly motivated and experienced attorney to serve as a Litigation Supervisor. The duties of the Litigation Supervisor would include representing the Department on a wide variety of legal issues, including abuse and neglect of children, child support, childcare, behavioral health, Medicaid, and Medicaid recovery, as well as assisting with the supervision of other attorneys within the division. The Litigation Supervisor represents the Department throughout the state in litigation before the Supreme Court, Circuit Court, and the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Our Culture: Family-focused. Person-centered.

Our Department: Build Strong Families, South Dakota's Foundation and Our Future.

The Department of Social Services aims to strengthen and support individuals and families, connecting them with resources to foster independent and healthy lives.

As a member of the Department of Social Services, you will be part of a team of professionals who are dependable, committed, and compassionate. We believe collaborative communication, teamwork, partnerships, and trust are foundational to the delivery of essential family services.

Who We Want

• an attorney interested in a range of legal subjects relating to administrative rulemaking, professional licensing, open meetings and open records, child abuse and neglect, child welfare agency licensing, Medicaid and other state/federal assistance programs, child support enforcement, and behavioral health services;
• a highly motivated attorney with a passion for serving the public and who displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• a dependable and organized individual who effectively plans and organizes work activities;
• a person who is dedicated and who will represent the Department of Social Services with integrity and enthusiasm;
• an individual who works cooperatively with others and promotes a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals.

What You Will Do

This position will be responsible for representing the Department of Social Services in litigation, including in administrative hearings as well as circuit court. Duties will include planning and executing litigation, preparing witnesses; preparing motions, briefs, and exhibits; and arguing cases. Duties will likely also include conducting research and rendering advice in support of all DSS divisions as specific questions and issues arise, and additional responsibilities as assigned.

This is a supervisory position, meaning the successful applicant will be expected to take a leadership role within the Division of Legal Services and the Department. Leadership in this context will include participation in strategic planning and other agency-wide initiatives; assisting with management of other staff members; serving as a liaison to share information across interdepartmental and interdisciplinary teams and workgroups; and effectively communicating regarding various philosophies, communication styles, and goals of the Division and Department.

Education/Licenses

The applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school; be a member of the South Dakota State Bar or willing and qualified to become a member of the South Dakota State Bar, and qualify for appointment as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Admission and/or experience with tribal courts would be a plus.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• experience with litigation and with management of other staff is strongly desired for this position. In addition, the candidate should:
• display high standards of ethical conduct;
• communicate effectively and efficiently;
• understand litigation practice and strategies;
• exercise sound judgment when making decisions and take prompt, decisive action;
• analyze information, issues, situations, practices, and precedents to arrive at a logical interpretation;
• work independently while accepting guidance and soliciting input;
• actively seek, collect, and evaluate information to learn more about issues or events;
• successfully plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to complete assignments and meet schedules and deadlines.

Equally important will be a strong work ethic and the comprehension of critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. If you believe in strengthening and supporting strong families and investing in South Dakota’s future, you may have found the dream job you’ve been waiting for!

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

• The State of South Dakota offers a $ 0-premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits.
• This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

You can view our benefits information here.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]