Closing Date: 29th May, 2024

Description:

Position Overview:
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results-oriented individual to serve as Senior Regional Counsel. Under administrative direction, the position will represent the Department at hearings on calendars in the juvenile courts of assigned counties, including temporary custody, adjudication, disposition, permanency, status, progress, termination of parental rights, and motion hearings. Additionally, the position will evaluate, prepare, and present evidence on behalf of the Department in court and at administrative hearings and service appeals. This position is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to use their skills as an attorney to benefit child welfare services. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent legal and organizational skills and strong leadership capabilities. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join our innovative team to help make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Job Responsibilities continued

Serves as Senior Regional Counsel
Interviews Department witnesses
Evaluates cases involving clients where the Department is involved in court or seeking expunction or indication
Serves as legal advisor to the Regional Administrator
Plans, directs, and conducts technical legal screening and provides case consultation to caseworkers and supervisors to help prepare cases for termination of parental rights (TPR), to determine when cases are trial ready for TPR, and to provide case consideration for case plan writing in all offices throughout the region
Serves as Department liaison to judiciary, State's Attorney's Offices, and various court personnel in numerous counties in the region
Serves as local Department liaison to the Attorney General's Office in cases in which the Department is represented by an Assistant Attorney General and represents the Department when the Attorney General's Office authorizes self-representation by the Department
Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, Department rules and policy, and all relevant law
As legal counsel to the region, provides recommendations to regional management in the discipline process, arbitration preparation, and grievance preparation concerning regional staff
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois
Requires three years of experience in the practice of law

Preferred Qualifications:

Prefers experience as an attorney in cases involving child welfare or juvenile law
Prefers experience as an attorney presenting and arguing legal cases in court and/or administrative hearings
Prefers experience as an attorney conducting legal analysis
Prefers substantive legal writing experience as an attorney in the areas of motions, pleadings, briefs, and memoranda
Prefers professional experience working in a liaison capacity with various internal and external entities
Prefers thorough knowledge of Illinois statutes and rules that have a substantial impact on Illinois juvenile court proceedings and/or DCFS's administrative hearings

Conditions of Employment: