Assistant County Attorney (Social Services)

Johnston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are a passionate individual with a dedication to providing exceptional legal services, we encourage you to apply to join our team at  Johnston County Government as the next Assistant County Attorney (Social Services).  

This is an exciting and challenging role that requires a strong legal background and the ability to provide professional legal representation to various departments, with a primary focus on the Johnston County Department of Social Services (DSS). As the Assistant County Attorney, you will have the opportunity to advise departments on legal matters, manage litigation cases, and appear in state and federal court. Your independent thinking, professional judgment, initiative, and communication skills will be crucial in successfully performing your duties. The position requires advanced knowledge of state laws regulating local government, as well as state and federal constitutional law. Your understanding of legal principles, precedents, and practices, particularly in relation to DSS mandated services, will be essential. Strong analytical skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships are also key attributes for this role. You will be working under the general supervision of the County Attorney, but with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in applying your legal knowledge to specific problems. 

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the community and make a positive impact through your legal expertise. 
 

• Represent the County in legal proceedings at all levels of state and federal courts.
• Represent and advise County departments regarding legal issues.
• Prepare legal pleadings to include complaints, motions, briefs, orders, and judgments, prepare appeals, render legal opinions, and appear in court as legal counsel to DSS and other county departments as directed.
• Consult with opposing attorneys, consulting attorneys, staff, and outside agency representatives.
• Receive and respond to legal questions and research requests from all areas of the County government.
• Handle and resolve all claims involving potential legal obligations.
• Review and respond to public records requests.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

• Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of local and State laws and court decisions pertaining to local government.
• Thorough knowledge of legal research, the investigation, preparation, and presentation of cases for trial.
• Thorough knowledge of legal office procedures, practices, and methods.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departments, Court officials, members of the bar, clients, and the general public.
• Ability to handle trial litigation.
• Ability to interpret and apply constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, court decisions, and other precedents.
• Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written forms.
• Ability to prepare and render legal opinions.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. 
• Minimum of 3 years experience as a practicing attorney with progressively responsible professional legal experience.  
• One year equivalent experience may be granted for participation under the Student Practice Certification, North Carolina State Bar Practical Training of Law Students/Clinical Legal Education Programs.  

• Five years of experience as a practicing attorney. 
• Preference will be given to those with experience as legal counsel in a local government setting and at least one year of litigation experience.  

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities  or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned. 

• We may require a background check that may include criminal, motor vehicle, sexual offender registry, pre-employment drug screening or others based on job requirements.
• Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment.