Legal Assistant - Child Welfare Unit

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia Law Department seeks a Legal Assistant for the Child Welfare Unit to manage records requests from clients, attorneys, courts, governmental agencies, child welfare agencies, and the public. You will log, organize, and track requests, coordinate with CWU staff, and respond to inquiries with discretion and confidentiality.

Under supervision of the Office Manager and Chief Deputy City Solicitor, the Legal Assistant reviews DHS case records, drafts supporting materials,

Qualifications

• High School/GED required.
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential records.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive, log, assign, and track CWU records requests from clients, attorneys, courts, DHS, and the public.
• Coordinate with CWU staff and contract attorneys; monitor deadlines; ensure timely follow-up.

Skills

Discretion

Sound judgment

Confidentiality

Education

High School/GED

Tools

PACFile

Job description

• Minimum Education Required: High School/GED
• Compensation: USD 45,478 - USD 62,371 - yearly

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact- The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth- Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion- Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits- We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. Weprovidelegal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to quality of lifeimpactingthe taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have a real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Law Department's Child Welfare Unit (CWU)representsthe City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) in all aspects of its work in investigating reports of child abuse and child neglect and providing services to children and families in need. The CWU is a collegial, fast-paced, challenging unit in which attorneys are, withappropriate trainingand supervision, expected to independently manage their case files from start to finish.

Professional Responsibility & Public Service

We serve the residents of Philadelphia by providing excellent legal counsel as trustworthy partners to our clients, no matter the challenges we face. Our work frequently involves sensitive matters, confidential information, and communication with City officials and client agencies. All staff are expected to work collectively to demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and a strong commitment to public service.

Job Description

PositionSummary

The Legal Assistant for the Child Welfare Unit (CWU) willbe responsibleforreceiving,logging, organizing,andmaintaininga record of all requests for child welfare records kept bythe CWU’sclient, the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services. Requestsmay include,but are not limited to,requests from clients, attorneys, courts, governmental agencies, child welfare agencies, and members of the public; discovery requests; subpoenas; court orders; and court-ordered safety assessments.

Under the direction and supervision of the Office Manager,with secondary direction and oversight from the Chief Deputy City Solicitor,the Legal Assistant is responsible forreceiving, logging, assigning, and monitoring records requests to CWU staff and Law Department contract attorneys, maintaining accurate tracking systems, monitoring deadlines, and ensuring timely follow-up regarding outstanding requests. The Legal Assistant also serves as a point of contact for requestors, communicating applicable procedures and responding to logistical questionsregardingrecords requests.

In addition, the Legal AssistantsupportsCWU attorneys in matters involving Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights, Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, and Permanent Legal Custody proceedings. Under the direction of assigned attorneys, the Legal Assistant reviews DHS case records, prepares supporting documentation and exhibits, drafts Statements of Facts, prepares subpoenas and notices,electronically files petitions throughPACFile, and coordinates the distribution of filings to relevant parties.

The LegalAssistant regularly collaborates with attorneys, DHS personnel, contract attorneys, court personnel, and colleagues throughout the Unit to support efficient operations and ensure continuity of service. The position requires the exercise of discretion, sound judgment, and strict confidentiality when handling sensitive child welfare records and legal documents.

This position may also perform other dutiesassignedby the Office Manager, the Chief Deputy City Solicitor, or other Law Department leadership. This summary is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Essential Functions

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

The duties of a Legal Assistant in the Child Welfare Unit (CWU)primarily consistofsupporting the representation of theDepartmentof Human Services (DHS)in matters before the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas – Family Division. Responsibilities include, but arenotlimited to