Attorney II

Salary: $67,728.00 - $94,758.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 194329
Agency: Department of Social Services
Division: Office of General Counsel
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: AE20
Position Number:: 61013459
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN11
Hiring Range - Min.: $67,728.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $94,758.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online. All correspondence from DSS Human Resources will be made through electronic mail, unless otherwise indicated.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.


Job Responsibilities
D o 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:

• The County Attorney II provides professional legal services and representation for assigned county offices, area adoption offices, and regional Day Care licensing office, including representation in Family Court on issues relative to child protection, foster care, adoption, adult protection and Economic Services.

• Represents the agency in all matters pertaining to emergency or non-emergency removal of children and vulnerable adults, termination of parental rights, inspection warrants, in-home protective services, permanency planning, judicial review of children or adults receiving services and any appeals resulting from such actions.

• Timely prepares, files and serves or ensures the timely preparation, filing and service of all pleadings, motions, orders, notices, rules to show cause, and other Court documents related to representation of the agency in legal actions. Pleadings and proposed orders shall include all determinations required by state and federal law.

• Timely conducts case staffing meetings for the purpose of analyzing the legal status of the cases and otherwise advising staff on agency legal matters. Prepares cases for Court by conducting and responding to discovery, interviewing, and preparing witnesses and reviewing agency documentation and reports from other sources.

• Complies with agency policy, state and federal law with respect to representing the agency in permanency planning hearings and termination of parental rights.

• Complies with agency policy, state and federal law regarding the provision of notice of legal proceedings to appropriate parties to agency actions.

• Utilizes or ensures the utilization of the Legal Case Management System for legal operations and documentation of legal activity in cases.

• Ensures that personal identifying information (Pll) is properly used, accessed, gathered, shared and disposed. Protects the Agency networks and applications by safeguarding systems, equipment and data.

• Establishes and maintains professional network and attends training sessions in order to enhance individual professionalism. Reviews legislation, statutory changes, and case law decisions and advises staff about the law. Participates in regular agency meetings to discuss and analyze outcomes and determine areas needed for improvement. Conducts in house training for other staff members.

• Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty/services as directed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
A Juris Doctorate Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least 18 months experience as a practicing attorney.
Necessary Special Requirements: must be a member of the SC BAR.

Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.
SPECIAL NOTICE: Resumes can be submitted in lieu of filling out the online application, all agency supplemental questions are required and must be completed for the application to be considered.
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. Must be able and willing to drive and to transport children and adults, must be able to lift children and to interact with children and adults in a positive manner.

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

DIVISION: Office of General Counsel / Richland County
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.


Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.


Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.


Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.


Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01


Have you ever been terminated or forced to resign from any job? If yes, please explain.
02


I understand that supplemental questions are considered part of the official application. Any misrepresentation will result in disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. If there are periods of time when you were not employed, you must also list those periods on your employment application. A resume cannot be submitted for completed work history and education sections of the employment application. The employment application may be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded. I have read and acknowledge the above.

• Yes
• No

03


I understand that by completion and submission of this application, that if I possess educational credentials that qualify me for the available position(s) and in the event I am offered a position with the SC Department of Social Services, I will be required to provide a certified official transcript within two (2) weeks of employment.

• Yes
• No

04


If you selected "Yes" that you are a veteran in the Agency-Wide Questions, are you able to provide a Member 4, Service 2-Copy, or NGB22 DD-214?

• Yes
• No

05


Have you ever been employed by the State of South Carolina? If yes, please provide the state agency/agencies.
06


How did you hear about this job opportunity?

• HR Recruiter
• DSS Employee
• DSS Internship
• Careers Website
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• SCWORKS
• College/University Job Portal
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Radio/TV/Billboard
• Other

07


If you selected "Other" or "DSS Employee" in the previous question, please list the source below.
08


Have you completed an internship with the SC Department of Social Services?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you have a Juris Doctorate Degree?

• Yes
• No

10


If (Yes), please provide the date you received your degree.
11


Do you have at least 18 months experience as a Practicing Attorney?

• Yes
• No

12


Are you a member of the South Carolina Bar? If (Yes), please give South Carolina Bar admission, date(s) and year(s).
Required Question