Staff Attorney/Permanency Specialist

Description:

• This is a position within the Full Case Management division with responsibility for preparing FRC cases for Court matters which includes legal analysis and initiating legal requests to CLS, staffing cases for Court matters with various parties to the dependency case, reviewing FRC reports and writings to be filed with the Court,  facilitating and Permanency staffings, responding to various case emergencies with a sense of urgency and providing guidance and assistance to FRC during said emergencies,  ensuring the Agency is following the relevant law in dependency matters and Family Centered Practice Guidelines.  The Staff Attorney works closely with the General Counsel of the Agency and the Quality Assurance Supervisor to ensure that the Agency’s Permanency standards are met.
• The Staff Attorney is responsible for knowing and understanding Chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes, the Florida Evidence Code and works closely with the State of Florida, Department of Children and Family to ensure that the Agency is complying with state law and the proper goals are achieved for all clients. The Staff Attorney is responsible for scheduling, conducting, and all Permanency Staffings, including but not limited to the 4, 6, and 9^th month staffing’s as set forth in the Family Centered Practice Guidelines and/or Lead Agency contract. The Staff Attorney may be required to represent the Agency in Court as needed. The Staff Attorney works directly with CLS reviewing cases and alerting CLS to pertinent legal issues and conveying the agency position on case issues.
• The Staff Attorney facilitates Multidisciplinary Staffing calls for urgent matters.  The Staff Attorney escalates disputed matters up the chain of command at CLS, Lead Agency or DCF. 

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate Degree and admission to the Florida Bar is required.
• Two years’ experience.
• Familiarity with the social services network in Miami-Dade County

 

Skills/Abilities:

• Must be computer literate and able to use electronic research methods.
• Must have good listening and analytical skills as well as the ability to use compassion and creativity in reaching solutions to the problems presented. 
• Must be flexible and willing to learn.
• Must have the ability and willingness to work with all administrators and staff of the Agency.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong litigation background and actual experience in the practice of dependency law.

 

Specific Areas of Responsibility to Position:

1. Preparing FRC cases for Court matters which include legal analysis and initiating legal requests to CLS, staffing cases for Court matters with various parties to the dependency case.
2. Reviewing various FRC reports and writings to be filed with the Court.
3. The Staff Attorney is responsible for facilitating, scheduling, conducting all Permanency Staffing’s, including but not limited to the 4, 6, and 9^th month staffing as set forth in the Family Centered Practice Guidelines and/or Lead Agency contract requirements:
   1. Coordinates and schedules all Permanency Staffing at the 4, 6, and 9^th
   2. Ensures that all Permanency Staffing are conducted in a timely manner and that sound recommendations regarding the Permanency goal are made.
   3. Identifies all necessary parties and ensures that they are notified for and participate in the Permanency Staffing.
   4. Works closely with the Full Case Management staff in preparation for Permanency Staffing.
4. Escalating permanency delays to CLS.
5. Responding to various case emergencies with a sense of urgency and providing guidance and assistance to FRC during said emergencies, even if after hours.
6. Ensuring the Agency is following the relevant law in dependency matters and Family Centered Practice Guidelines.
7. Knowing and understanding Chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes, the Florida Evidence Code works closely with the State of Florida, Department of Children and Family to ensure that the Agency is complying with state law and the proper goals are achieved for all clients.
8. The Staff Attorney may be required to represent the Agency in Court as needed.
9. The Staff Attorney works directly with CLS reviewing cases and alerting CLS to pertinent legal issues and conveying the agency position on case issues.
10. The Staff Attorney facilitates Multidisciplinary Staffing calls for urgent matters. The Staff Attorney escalates disputed matters up the chain of command at CLS or Lead Agency or DCF. 
11. Attends New Child Staffings as needed.
12. Participates in the development, and ongoing compliance with all Permanency Staffing, New Child Staffing, and Family Centered Practice requirements.
13. Meets or communicates with the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, Children’s Legal Services on a regular basis and or weekly basis to discuss case progress and upcoming hearings.
14. Ensures compliance with privacy practices.
15. Serve as a member of, or liaison to any committee related or a part of the organization as requested.
16. Maintains current knowledge of Lead Agency Quality Assurance Policy as well as all required Permanency Planning protocols and goals.
17. Represents the Agency and the General Counsel in selected meetings and events held in the community.
18. Represents Agency in Court as necessary in furtherance of the Agency’s Full Case Management responsibilities.
19. Contributes to tolerance and understanding of the multi-cultural diversity within the agency in the community.
20. Communicates directly with Director of Full Case Management regarding case management problems, errors, or corrective action needed.
21. Ensures compliance with privacy practices and consistent application of sanctions for failure to comply with privacy policies for all individuals in the organization’s workforce.
22. Initiates, facilitates and promotes activities to foster information privacy awareness within the organization and related entities.
23. Serve as a member of, or liaison to any committee related or a part of the organization, as requested.
24. Maintains current knowledge of applicable federal and state privacy laws and accreditation standards.
25. Cooperate with any and all legal entities and organization officers in any compliance reviews or investigations related to the Agency.
26. Contributes to the understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity within the agency and the community.
27. Complies with all relevant JCAHO standards and regulations.
28. Utilizes the agency’s resources in a fiscally conservative manner.
29. Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor including On-Call responsibilities.

Pay: $60,000