Attorney I

Legal Representation Position

Position(s) located in the Legal Division.

The primary purpose of this position is legal representation for the agency in all aspects of Social Services Law with the emphasis on Child Welfare Law, Juvenile Court, and Adult Services. This attorney will work with the social workers to prepare cases for trial and will be responsible for representing the agency primarily in district court and before the Clerk of Superior Court. The workload is large and the demands intense in the juvenile law area. Deadlines are set by statute and must be followed from the filing of petitions through adjudication, disposition, and permanency for children in the custody of the agency. Appeals of Juvenile cases must be anticipated.

The attorney will consult with the social workers in the filing of petitions, preparing the cases for trial, and in the follow-up hearings required for establishing permanency for children who have been removed from their homes. The attorney is responsible for seeing that all deadlines are met to include hearings and the filing of all orders within the required time frames. The attorney will also provide legal assistance to Adult Protective Services for Protective Orders in district court and guardianship matters before the Clerk of Court.

The attorney will work with the staff in non-court matters where legal counsel is needed and will assist in the interpretation of Federal and State laws and regulations. Research will often be required in rendering legal opinions for other units in the Agency, to include Economic Services and Business Operations. Memorandums of law may be required. The attorney can expect to have contacts with other Social Services attorneys, the Attorney General's Office, NC Association of Social Services Attorneys, the North Carolina School of Government, the District Attorney's office, law enforcement, the medical community, the legal community, mental health, the school system, District Court Judges, Ft. Bragg, and others. The attorney must be able to maintain effective working relationships with the public, lawyers in adversarial roles, and other persons contacted in the course of representation the agency. The attorney will assist in a variety of trainings, such as training social workers to be witnesses in court. The attorney may be called upon to represent the agency on various committees and to assist with special projects.

Minimum Education & Experience Required: Graduation from a recognized school of law. Experience, preferred: Litigation, Juvenile Law and practice, and Appeals. Necessary Special Qualification: License to practice law in the State of North Carolina. A writing sample will be required upon request.

Must have knowledge of case, statutory, common law and regulations; working knowledge of judicial procedures and Rules of Evidence. Must be able to prepare complex cases for trial; to litigate in district and superior courts; prepare appeal briefs and argue cases in the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court. Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally (written and oral), to handle adversarial trials, and to effectively maintain a large case load.

Conditions of Employment: The selected applicant will be subject to the following conditions prior to appointment. Failure to complete or fulfill these conditions may result in dismissal. Each applicant who is tendered an offer for employment for any position with Cumberland County shall be tested for the use of drugs specified in the County policy. Refusal to submit to testing or a confirmed positive test shall be a basis for withdrawal of the conditional employment offer. Law enforcement background and fingerprint check is required. Has or is able to obtain a valid North Carolina Driver's License. This position will be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations. The Cumberland County Department of Social Services has a dress code policy that must be adhered to. This policy includes specific guidelines related to tattoos and body piercing. College transcripts may be submitted on-line via the attachment feature or mailed to Cumberland County Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302. If mailed, they must be postmarked before the closing date of the vacancy in order to be considered for the position. Prior to employment start date, an official transcript must be presented in its original unopened envelope.

Mission: The Cumberland County Department of Social Services stands united to strengthen individuals and families and to protect children and vulnerable adults. We collaborate with our community partners to provide programs and services which engage our customers in improving their quality of life.

Vision: We envision our Department... as a catalyst for improving quality of life through teamwork, partnership, forward thinking, and cutting edge service delivery. We envision our customers...as partners, motivated and empowered to improve their quality of life.

Our Core Standards & Values: A quality customer experience, business operations and employee experience represents our three Core Standards that guide our principles and values. We have identified eight core values and validating behaviors that define our Departments: Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Diversity, Innovation, Optimism, Integrity and Flexibility.