Assistant Attorney General - Child Protection

State of Utah•St George, UT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Utah Office of the Attorney General, Child Protection Division, is hiring an attorney to represent the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) in the Fifth District Juvenile Court in abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings. The position is based in Saint George, Utah, and requires managing a high volume of active cases at a fast pace. The attorney approves warrants to search for and remove children from parents’ custody; screens cases with Child Protective Services and law enforcement; conducts legal research; prepares legal documents; and consults with DCFS representatives. The attorney also represents DCFS at multidisciplinary-team and family-team meetings, mediations, and other meetings as needed. The successful candidate prosecutes abuse, neglect, and dependency matters at shelter, pre-trial, adjudication, disposition, review, permanency, and other hearings, and prosecutes petitions to terminate parental rights. Applicants must have excellent written and oral advocacy skills and be able to take over an existing caseload immediately. Prosecution or other trial experience is preferred. The position is full-time, in-office/on-site, and eligible for a full benefits package. It is located at 33 N 100 W, Suite 100, Saint George, Utah 84770. A satisfactory criminal history background check is required; no drug test is required. The position may require travel to various court locations, including overnight stays. Salary is listed as $61.08–$89.24 per hour. The posting also states that attorney starting salary is based on experience level, determined by initial Bar admittance year less any years not practicing law, with approximate annual salary ranges listed by Bar year. The position is open until November 8, 2026, and may close without notice.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate.
Active membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing.
Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
Experience and ability to immediately take over an existing caseload.
Ability to travel as required.
Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Nice To Haves

Prosecution or other trial experience.

Responsibilities

Represent DCFS in abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings in the Fifth District Juvenile Court.
Approve warrants to search for and remove children from parents’ custody.
Screen cases with Child Protective Services and law enforcement.
Conduct legal research and gather evidence to prepare cases.
Prepare summonses, petitions, subpoenas, discovery responses, motions, memoranda, orders, correspondence, reports, and other legal documents.
Consult with DCFS representatives and provide advice, recommendations, and assistance with decisions.
Represent DCFS at multidisciplinary-team meetings, family-team meetings, mediations, and other meetings as necessary.
Prosecute abuse, neglect, and dependency matters at shelter, pre-trial, adjudication, disposition, review, permanency, and other hearings.
Prosecute petitions to terminate parental rights and appear at associated hearings.
Determine discovery needs, complete discovery, and participate in case strategy and decisions about evidence.
Respond to questions or complaints by researching issues, providing information, explaining policies and procedures, and facilitating resolutions.
Represent the state or employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, negotiations, complaints, hearings, trials, and other matters.
Prepare witnesses to testify in court and conduct conferences with defendants and attorneys; negotiate settlements.
Travel to various court locations and potentially stay overnight.