Managing County Attorney III / 61014102

State of South Carolina; Pickens (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Social Services, Division: Office of General Counsel / Pickens County, seeks a County Attorney III to provide legal services and representation for county offices and adoption/licensing matters, including Family Court appearances on child protection, foster care, and adult protection cases.

The role leads attorneys in the assigned area, supervises legal activities, handles pleadings, discovery, and court readiness, and ensures compliance with state and federal

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Five years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Must be a member of the SC BAR.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to travel.
• May be required to work after hours and/or overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• The County Attorney III provides legal services and representation for assigned county offices and licensing offices, including Family Court appearances on child protection, foster care, adoption, and adult protection.
• Supervise attorneys in the assigned area and oversee personnel administration; represent the agency in removals, TPR and related matters.
• Prepare, file and serve pleadings, motions, and court documents; handle discovery and witness preparation.
• Conduct case staffing meetings, advise staff on agency legal matters, and ensure compliance with laws and agency policies.
• Utilize the Legal Case Management System for documentation and protect PII; participate in trainings and reviews.
• Perform emergency shelter duties as directed.

Education

Juris Doctor Degree (ABA-accredited)

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 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 five (5) years experience as a practicing attorney.

Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR.

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 / Pickens County

Benefits For State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note:

The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.