Attorney IV - Associate General Counsel for Health Promotion & Services
State of South Carolina See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Job Responsibilities
Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference!
Embracing Service, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, Pursuing Excellence, and
Advancing Equity
Under minimal general supervision of the Chief Counsel for Health Promotion and Services, provides legal services advice to program staff and agency management. Represents the Department in legal matters, including litigation in state and federal courts and at administrative hearings. Serves as Associate General Counsel for Health Promotion and Services.
At the newly established South Carolina Department of Public Health (“DPH”), you will do meaningful work contributing to our mission to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of everyone in South Carolina.
The applicant chosen to fill this position will join a dedicated team of public health attorneys that will have the unique opportunity to advise the state’s first stand-alone public health agency in 50 years. Consider joining the DPH Office of General Counsel (“OGC”), where you will work in a collaborative and supportive environment where people come first, and we encourage a healthy work-life balance.
This position offers great state benefits, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more, depending on applicable state service, as well as the option of an alternate work schedule with every other Friday off following one full year of employment.
WHO WE ARE:
The Office of General Counsel (“OGC”) is the legal team for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, providing representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible state issues. OGC’s Health Promotion and Services Law Team supports the development and implementation of the Department’s public health programs, and it prides itself on providing the highest quality legal services to the Department. Public health attorneys have the opportunity to have an immediate and present impact on public health and law across the state as they serve as counselors to the Department’s major public health programs, including the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, and the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, among several others. OGC offers a collegial and intellectually challenging work environment with daily exposure to new and ever evolving legal issues.JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Advice and representation: Provide oral and written legal advice, counsel, and training to assigned programs, and/or agency management, as needed, including but not limited to, communicating, as appropriate, options and risks, proper application of and/or revisions to statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures, and other applicable requirements and considerations. Represent the agency and its programs in meetings and negotiations and in responding to inquiries from the public, the regulated community, counsel, and the media in legal matters.
Associate General Counsel: Serves as Associate General Counsel for Health Promotion and Services.
Document preparation and review: Draft, review, revise, and ensure the accuracy and proper content, form, and grammar of legal documents. Review and work with program staff on revisions of documents prepared by staff to ensure legal accuracy and sufficiency and proper content, form, and grammar.
Litigation: Handle litigation of matters from inception through appeals on behalf of the agency in all state and federal courts and administrative tribunals, including but not limited to preparing all pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation and appeal documents, conducting and responding to discovery requests, taking and defending depositions, managing exhibits, preparing witnesses, presenting oral arguments, conducting trials, and settling actions. Maintain knowledge of current court rules and procedures.
Legal Research: Conduct independent legal research, both routine and complex.
Support staff supervision: Oversee legal-related work product of assigned support staff for accuracy, sufficiency, and proper content, form, and grammar. Regularly communicate with assigned support staff on status of litigation and non-litigation matters.
File maintenance: Maintain files in an organized manner and pursuant to established file protocols. Organize and maintain documents in paper and electronic filing systems.- Minimum and Additional Requirements
A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney. Have at least ten (10) years’ experience as a practicing attorney (which may include judicial clerkships);
• Be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar;
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license; and
• Have completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403, S.C. Appellate Court Rules.
The successful candidate must:
• Be trustworthy, self-motivated, and reliable;
• Possess a strong work ethic and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Possess the ability to work well with other lawyers and program staff in a team environment;
• Possess the ability to manage and supervise other lawyers and legal staff;
• Possess a commitment to professionalism, ethics and public service;
• Possess excellent legal research and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues in simple, direct, and easily understandable terms to non-lawyers, lawyers, hearing officers and judges;
• Demonstrate strong legal writing skills (A legal writing sample must be submitted with your application); and possess strong public-speaking skills.Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in public health law, education in public health-related curriculum, or training and experience in healthcare compliance or a health-related industry;
- Experience with the state process for regulation promulgation;
- Experience in litigation.
- Additional Comments
WRITING SAMPLE: You must provide a legal writing sample with your application. Please do not submit any confidential information and redact if necessary.
RÉSUMÉ: You must provide a résumé with your application.
TRANSCRIPT: Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.
DRIVING RECORD: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.
EEO: DPH is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employing agency. We are committed to a diverse workforce. DPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), or disability.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for full time employees (FTEs) that includes:- Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
- 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
- 15 days sick leave per year
- 13 paid holidays
- Paid parental leave
- S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
- Retirement benefit choices
- State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
- State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
- $68,397 - $126,547/year
