Closing Date: 1st April, 2024

Description:

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 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 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.
  • 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 or services as directed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements:
Agency Requirements:
A Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school and three (3) years experience as a practicing Attorney.

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