Attorney - Asst. County Solicitor Children and Youth

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 Executive Director of the Children and Youth Social Service Agency [Agency], the County Solicitor and Assistant County Solicitors, and County caseworkers and supervisors, the Assistant County Solicitor - Children & Youth is responsible to provide and/or supervise a full range of legal services relating to the Child Protective Services Law. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Assistant County Solicitor - Children & Youth, assigns work to designated Agency Paralegal and Clerical employees.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serves as the Agency Attorney on designated dependency team(s).

• Draft, review and revise averments, petitions for modification of movements, termination of parental rights, petitions, and  miscellaneous motions.

• Meet with, discuss questions and prepare witnesses for testifying as the dependency case moves through the system.

• Represents the Agency 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 redacts or oversees the redaction of records produced to ensure compliance with confidentiality laws and regulations.

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

• Researches, prepares and files briefs for appeals filed with the appellate Courts.

• Reviews file and prepares Agency staff for testimony when subpoenaed to testify at PFA hearing or other court hearings as required.

• Represents the Agency in Child Protective Services appeals and kinship appeal cases with the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, reviewing cases/investigations with Agency personnel, filing unified statements, participating in prehearing conferences, and presenting the Agency's case at hearings.

• On a rotation with other Children and Youth Assistant Solicitors, periodically serves as the on-call Solicitor to respond to legal inquiries and obtain court approval for placement of children outside of normal business hours during non-business hours.

• Handles contractual and general administrative legal matters for Lancaster County Children and Youth.

• As needed, serve as counsel to the Lancaster County Office of Aging. with regard to Protective Services and Guardianship legal matters.

• As needed, represent the Youth Intervention Center in securing seclusion orders for residents.

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 and conduct legal research.

• 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 Agency

• Specific knowledge of  Child Protective Services Law,

• Knowledge and ability in the area of child welfare law with regard to statutory and regulatory law and rules of court.

• Ability to navigate and utilize relevant online databases such as UJS, CWIS, CAPS.

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

• Knowledge and ability to review and draft contracts.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• 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.