REPOST Attorney II / 61129966

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Long term disability

Life insurance

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

State retirement plan

Deferred compensation

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Social Services seeks a County Attorney II to provide professional legal services and agency representation in Family Court on child protection, foster care, and related areas. The attorney will prepare pleadings, manage case discovery, and advise staff on legal matters, while complying with state and federal law.

Responsibilities include timely filings, court appearances, and participation in trainings, with additional emergency shelter duties as directed.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree or equivalent from an accredited law school.
• At least 18 months of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Must be a member of the SC Bar.
• Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional legal services and representation for assigned county offices and related entities.
• Represent the agency in Family Court on child protection, foster care, adoption, and related matters.
• Prepare, file, serve pleadings, motions, and other court documents in a timely manner.
• Conduct case staffing meetings and prepare cases for court, including discovery and witness preparation.
• Comply with policy and law in permanency planning and termination of parental rights.
• Notify appropriate parties of legal proceedings and manage legal communications.
• Utilize the Legal Case Management System for documentation and tracking.
• Participate in training and professional development; conduct in-house training as needed.
• Perform Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duties as directed.

Skills

Family Court representation

Legal research

Pleadings & discovery

Case management system

Court appearances

Education

Juris Doctorate Degree or equivalent

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!

• 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.

Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

Additional Comments

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Must be able and willing to drive and to transport children and adults, must be able to lift children and to interact with children and adults in a positive manner.

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 / Dorchester County