Paralegal

Salary: $45,300.00 - $61,100.00 Annually
Location : Charleston County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191778
Agency: Department of Social Services
Division: Office of General Counsel
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AE03
Position Number:: 61082942
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN08
Hiring Range - Min.: $45,300.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $61,100.00
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
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 Duties:

• The Paralegal provides assistance to assigned attorney to provide legal services and representation in Family Courts on issues relative to child protection, foster care, adoption, child day care, and adult protection.

• Utilizes the Legal Case Management System (LCMS) to prepare pleadings, orders, notices, and other documents. Maintains accurate LCMS data by inputting documents and information including names of parties, addresses, and hearing outcomes.

• Prepares cases for Family Court including file organization, initiation and verification of service and ensures all parties are properly served, distribution of treatment plans, preparation and distribution of dockets to appropriate parties, draft proposed orders for attorney review, process continuance requests, and re-docket subsequent hearings.

• Prepares pleadings, motions, and proposed orders for attorney's review; files pleadings, motions, notices, and other legal documents with the Clerk of Court; circulates, files, and serves orders.

• Attends hearings and trials, assists with the orderly flow of cases into the courtroom, and maintains accurate notes reflecting attendance, testimony, evidence, and the Court's ruling.

• Collects, assembles and verifies witness statements, reports, documents and exhibits for use by attorney in preparation of court cases. Researches issues, prepares briefs, discovery requests, and motions.

• Acts as liaison between the attorney and DSS staff members, and representatives of law enforcement and Family Court.

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

• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements


A High School Diploma and work experience that is directly related to the area of employment.

A college degree may be substituted for all or part of related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications


Paralegal or legal secretarial experience and a valid drivers license.

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 have a valid drivers' license and access to motor vehicle; ability to access 4/ 5 drawer file cabinets and/or various filing systems; ability to enter information into computer; ability to lift 20lbs.


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 / Charleston 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?

• 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


Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate
• None of the above

10


Please provide your date of completion
11


Do you have work experience that is directly related to the area of employment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question