Attorney IV

Attorney IV

Do 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 Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the appropriate attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, the Attorney IV leads the hiring, training, mentoring and supervision function of the county legal operations with assigned area, including county attorneys and paralegals. Communicates, develops and maintains protocols for county attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff. Engages in general legal operations management and ensures the Legal Case Management System (LCMS) is consistently and correctly utilized. Ensures hearings are completed in a timely manner, including, e.g. Permanency Planning Hearings, TPR hearings, Probable Cause and Removal Hearing and other hearings. Ensures county offices are properly staffed and appropriate supplies.

Serves as primary supervisor for attorneys in assigned area and supervise the legal activity in that area including, but not limited to, overseeing personnel administration involving county attorneys within the assigned area; supervise the recruitment, retention, training, and payment of county contract attorneys in the assigned area; and, supervise paralegal staff for the assigned regional office.

Ensures LCMS compliance and timely training for new employees in LCMS. Utilize and ensure others utilize LCMS for documentation of legal activity in cases.

Provides legal advice to Regional Directors for Human Services and County Directors in assigned region in the areas of child welfare and adult protection; work in collaboration with the Regional Director toward achieving objectives for human services. Timely attendance at all required meetings and CLEs. Review legislation, statutory and case law updates to remain current on applicable law, regulation, procedure and policy and disseminate information and director appropriately to ensure that supervised county legal offices likewise remain current.

Evaluates the in-court and out-of-court activities of county attorneys using system data, conduct consistent periodic on-site visits of county legal offices; audit paper files and electronic LCMS files for compliance and quality assurance; monitor and analyze LCMS and CAPSS activity reports.

Oversees and take primary responsibility for the recruitment, training, retention of FTE county attorneys and contract attorneys when applicable.

Conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of county legal operations management, caseload ratios and performance standards; monitor and provide leadership in all cases being appealed from the assigned area.

Appears in Court in assigned area as needed to support the legal offices under incumbent's supervisor.

Establishes and maintain collegial professional relationship with local community partners, i.e. clerks of court Guardian ad Litem Programs, review boards, foster parents and other child welfare agencies

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

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

A Juris Doctor Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and ten (10) years experience as a practicing attorney or five (5) years of experience as a DSS attorney. Please Note: A writing sample must be submitted with your application. Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR.

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. The employee must be able to communicate effectively (written and orally) and write legibly. May be required to work after hours and/or some overnight travel and must be able to lift approximately 15-20 lbs. 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