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- 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:- Under general supervision of the managing attorney for county operations, the Attorney IV provides legal support and research, to all DSS staff in the student's assigned region and in the state office and /or other county offices statewide as assigned. Types of support include research, providing input to the DSS legal effort, interviewing witnesses, providing reports, organizing file data, assisting attorneys to prepare cases for court.
- Serves as primary supervisor for attorneys in assigned area and supervise the legal activity in that area including, but not limited to, overseeing personnel administration involving county attorneys within the assigned area; supervise the recruitment, retention, training, and payment of county contract attorneys in the assigned area; and, supervise paralegal staff for the assigned regional office.
- Ensures LCMS compliance and timely training for new employees in LCMS. Utilize and ensure others utilize LCMS for documentation of legal activity in cases.
- Provides legal advice to Regional Directors for Human Services and County Directors in assigned region in the areas of child welfare and adult protection; work in collaboration with the Regional Director toward achieving objectives for human services. Timely attendance at all required meetings and CLEs. Review legislation, statutory and case law updates to remain current on applicable law, regulation, procedure and policy and disseminate information and director appropriately to ensure that supervised county legal offices likewise remain current.
- Evaluates the in-court and out-of-court activities of county attorneys using system data, conduct consistent periodic on-site visits of county legal offices; audit paper files and electronic LCMS files for compliance and quality assurance; monitor and analyze LCMS and CAPPS activity reports.
- Oversees and take primary responsibility for the recruitment, training, retention of FTE county attorneys and contract attorneys when applicable.
- Conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of county legal operations management, caseload ratios and performance standards; monitor and provide leadership in all cases being appealed from the assigned area.
- Appears in Court in assigned area as needed to support the legal offices under incumbent's supervisor.
- Establishes and maintain collegial professional relationship with local community partners, i.e. clerks of court Guardian ad Litem Programs, review boards, foster parents and other child welfare agencies
- Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty or services as directed.
- Minimum and Additional Requirements
Agency Requirements:
A Juris Doctor Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and ten (10) years experience as a practicing attorney.
Pleas Note: A writing sample must be submitted with your application.
Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR.
Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.SPECIAL NOTICE: Resumes may be submitted in lieu of filling out the work experience of the online application. The following sections are required for consideration: personal information, preferences, agency-wide questions and job specific supplemental questions.- Preferred Qualifications
Thorough knowledge of the laws of SC & Federal statutes and regulations governing the various program areas. Thorough knowledge of policies, standards & procedures of the Office of General Counsel. Thorough knowledge of general case, statutory & common law & of judicial & quasi-judicial procedures & rules of procedure, including ethics considerations. The ability to interpret statues, regulations and judicial decisions; and to analyze factual circumstances within the framework of controlling statues, regulations and judicial decisions. The ability to express orally and in writing, factual and legal conclusions & arguments clearly and cogently - Additional Comments
This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.
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
- $92,300 - $175,400/year
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