REPOST Attorney II / 61082926

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

SC Department of Social Services in Charleston, SC seeks an attorney to provide legal services and representation for county offices, including child welfare and economic services matters. The role involves handling removals, permanency planning, and court appearances in Family Court.

Requirements include a Juris Doctorate and at least 18 months of practice, with membership in the SC Bar. The position supports agency operations within the Office of General Counsel in Charleston County.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and admission to the SC Bar.
• At least 18 months of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Membership in the SC Bar is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal services and representation for assigned county offices and offices handling child welfare and economic services.
• Represent the agency in emergency or non-emergency removal matters and permanency planning in Family Court.
• Prepare and file pleadings, motions, orders, and other court documents with attention to state and federal requirements.
• Conduct case staffing and advise staff on legal matters; prepare cases for court, including discovery and witness preparation.
• Ensure compliance with agency policy and laws in permanency hearings and related proceedings.
• Maintain the Legal Case Management System for tracking legal activity and documentation.
• Attend training, review legislation and case law, and participate in agency meetings; conduct in-house trainings.

Skills

Legal representation

Family Court

Pleadings

Discovery

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Legal Case Management System

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 II 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 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.
• Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty/services as directed.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

A Juris Doctorate Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least 18 months experience as a practicing attorney.

Necessary Special Requirements: must be a member of the SC BAR.

Benefits

• 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 / Charleston 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.