Repost Attorney V / 61015815

Job Responsibilities

Special Notice: This is a REPOST -- Previous applicants need not re-apply for this position.

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:

• This is an Attorney V, Assistant General Counsel position who serves as a staff attorney with the state agency.

• Provides legal advice to all levels, state and local, of DSS officials and staff on a variety of areas but with a focus on Child Welfare Policy and Practice. Litigates complex and difficult cases for DSS, in trial and appellate practice, as necessary, and including all aspects of representation such as research, brief writing, appellate argument, and administrative hearings. Represents the Agency in Out-of-Home Abuse and Neglect (OHAN) hearings.

• Provides advice to all levels of management and administration on personnel and employment law questions and issues; provides representation for management in employee grievances and SHAC/EEOC complaints; provides advice to and coordinates with the Office of Human Resources and/or Office of the Inspector General on the handling of personnel-related investigations.

• Maintains specialized knowledge and provides advice in areas of child protective services, foster care, permanency planning, and adult protective services. Provides legal advice, consultation, and representation to agency staff as a member of the OGC Child Welfare Policy and Practice team. Represents DSS, provides advice and consultation related to adoption of children in the custody of DSS.

• Attends to special projects requiring unique legal expertise as directed by the General Counsel, to include for example research and advice regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state ethics laws. Serves on inter-agency teams as Office of General Counsel representative.

• Monitors, coordinates, provides assistance and acts as liaison between DSS and outside counsel in civil lawsuits against the Agency at all levels of complexity.

• Understands and exercises data security and confidentiality in the transfer, disclosure and management of all client and employee personal information.

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

Minimum and Additional Requirements

Agency Requirements:

A Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school and two (2) years experience as a practicing Attorney.

Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR.

Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Resumes may be submitted in lieu of filling out the work experience of the online application. The following sections are required for consideration: personal information, preferences, agency-wide questions and job specific supplemental questions.

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, Vison, 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: Legal / Statewide