Job Details

Applicants must be willing to work in one of the following counties: Allendale, Berkeley, Beaufort, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper and Orangeburg.

Job Duties:

• The County Attorney III 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.

• Manages work flow for timeliness and statutory compliance. Monitors Title-IV-E activity ensuring the legal department has timely and adequately complied with laws, policy, and statutes in timely delivering the required Orders to Judges and all other parties and case managers within twenty (20) days of the decision.

• Oversees hiring, firing, evaluating, supervising of paralegals, administrative staff, and attorneys in assigned offices. Effectively trains paralegals and administrative staff. Conducts oversight regarding office protocol and information systems. Provides general management of the Legal Department and management interactions with human services staff and community partners. Serves as a liaison and solves conflicts with court personnel, human services staff, other program areas, and the Legal Department.

• Responsible for attorney(s), paralegal(s), and administrative staff protocol; training; ensuring proper utilization of all office systems; administrative duties of the office; overseeing the office staff; and coordination and monitoring all activities. Communicates with human services staff. Implements logistics between legal staff and human services staff. Monitors the status of pending matters. Follows up on Permanency Planning and Termination of Parental Rights hearings, keeps attorneys and human services staff informed of progress. Ensures effective office performance, Trains support staff in the use of office systems, maintenance, protocols, scheduling, and docketing procedures. Utilizes LCMS and CAPSS and monitors progress. Tracks Court Information Summaries, scheduling, supply management, office staffing, and human resources functions for all administrative support staff., paralegals, and attorneys; assigns follow-up duties to ensure timely compliance.

• Assumes county-wide responsibility for ensuring good working relationship and communications between county legal office(s) and other system stakeholders. Ensures that an effective system of regular and ongoing legal trainings for human services staff is carried out.

• Utilizes and ensures the utilization of the Legal Case Management System (LCMS) for legal operations and documentation of legal activity in cases. Ensures LCMS compliance, obtains feedback for improvement of LCMS. Ensures that new employees receive appropriate and timely training in LCMS.

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

Agency Requirements:

A Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school, and three (3) years' experience as an attorney.

Necessary Special Requirement: 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.

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

Division: Legal / Beaufort County
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