Attorney - Assistant County Solicitor Children and Youth and Office of Aging

Compensation Range:

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

Working closely with the County Solicitor, the Executive Director of the Children and Youth Social Service Agency, Agency caseworkers and supervisors, the Lancaster County Office of Aging Director and LCOA caseworkers and supervisors, the Assistant County Solicitor is responsible to provide and/or supervise a full range of legal services relating to the Child Protective Services Law, the Older Adult Protective Services Act, and relevant provisions of the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code (PEF Code) regarding incapacitated persons and guardianships. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Assistant County Solicitor C & Y and LCOA, in connection with the County Solicitor, is responsible for overseeing and assigning work to designated Paralegal and Clerical employees.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

-Handles general administrative legal matters for Lancaster County Children and Youth (C & Y or Agency) and Lancaster County Office of Aging (LCOA).

-As directed, serves as, substitutes for and/or provides back up for C & Y attorney for designated dependency team(s).

-Reviews averments, petitions for modification of movements, termination of parental rights, petitions and  miscellaneous motions.

-Meets with caseworkers and answers questions from caseworkers as the dependency case moves through the system.

-Represents C & Y at shelter care hearings, adjudication and disposition hearings, review hearings and termination of parental rights hearings.

-Prepares and presents motions and petitions to the Court on behalf of the Agency.

-Responds to written record requests and reviews redaction of records produced to ensure compliance with confidentiality laws and regulations.

-Reviews and if appropriate, prepares responses to Section 5329 requests.

-Prepares kinship denial letters, C & Y CPS reviews, record requests and subpoenas.

-Serves as a member of the C & Y legal team, handling dependency and Bureau of Hearings and Appeals (BHA) appeal matters.  

-As directed, prepares and files appellate briefs.

-Represents C & Y for Child Protective Services appeals and Kinship appeal cases with BHA, including preparing written correspondence, answering and discussing cases/investigations with caseworkers, filing unified statements, participating in prehearing conferences, and preparing and presenting the Agency's case at hearings.

-As back up to other Children and Youth Assistant Solicitors, periodically serve as the on-call Solicitor to respond to legal inquiries and obtain court approval for placement of children outside of normal business hours.

-Advise both the C & Y Agency and the LCOA as to findings of abuse and compliance with respective governing statutes and regulations.

-Handle legal proceedings pursuant to the Older Adult Protective Services Act and the PEF Code relating to incapacitated persons, guardianships, powers of attorneys and related matters on behalf of the Lancaster County Office of Aging.

-Represents Lancaster County Office of Aging (LCOA) in petitions to the court authorized under the Older Adult Protective Services Act including emergency involuntary intervention, access to person and access to records.

-Represents LCOA in matters under the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code (PEF Code) regarding incapacitated persons and guardianships, including guardianship and emergency guardianship petitions, review hearings, depositions, and other related activities.

-Provides legal advice and guidance to and consults with LCOA staff on investigations, service plans, and other activities conducted under the Older Adult Protective Services Act.

-Represents LCOA in appeals from substantiated findings of abuse under the Older Adult Protective Services Act including corresponding with the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, answer and discuss cases/investigations with caseworkers,  participate in prehearing conferences, and prepares and presents the LCOA's case at hearings.

-Provides ongoing training to staff on statutory, regulatory and case law developments, proper court demeanor and procedure, and best practices with regard to testimony and other court procedures.

-At the request of the LCOA, communicates decisions, requests, and information to appropriate parties involved in protectives service cases.

-Advise and represent County departments and employees with regard to service of subpoenas and other requests for production of documents and/or provision of testimony, including but not limited to requests to C & Y and LCOA for disclosure of protective services information by a court of competent jurisdiction, accompanying the subpoenaed individual to court if appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.

Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar (or able to promptly obtain such admission through waiver of bar examination).

Two or more years of relevant legal experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, ordinances and policies.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations affecting the County.

Specific knowledge of Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law, Older Adult Protective Services Act, and the Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries Act as it pertains to incapacity, powers of attorney, guardianships,  and applicable regulations and case law.

Knowledge and ability to review, negotiate and draft contracts.

Knowledge and ability in the area of child welfare law and elder law.

Knowledge and ability in legal advocacy, including mediation, arbitration, litigation, administrative proceedings and appellate practice.

Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.

Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar (or able to promptly obtain such admission through waiver of bar examination).

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.