Attorney IV - 60019125

State of South Carolina • Richland County, SC

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The SC Department of Children's Advocacy is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate to apply for the Attorney IV position. This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service. The Attorney IV serves as General Counsel for the Foster Care Review Division and performs legal services for the Foster Care Review Division and review boards, to include legal analysis, interpretation, advocacy, and practice both in and out of court. This position requires experience practicing law in court proceedings; ability to staff cases and identify and respond to issues related to permanency for children; ability to conduct research and provide appropriate responses related to policy and law for Foster Care Review Division and foster care review boards; and knowledge of case, statutory and common law related to family law, particularly the S.C. Children's Code. Employee must be able to exercise appropriate discretion and sound judgment in dealing with coworkers, the public and relevant community partners - such as the Department of Social Services and guardians ad litem - and conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism, both in and out of court. Employee must have the ability to work collaboratively and supportively, while maintaining a lawyer-client relationship. Public speaking ability is necessary. Employee will exercise a high level of independence in decision-making and problem-solving and will assume responsibility for advising the Foster Care Review Division Director on all legal matters. Employee will work with limited supervision and assistance, with oversight by the Department of Children's Advocacy General Counsel. Must demonstrate sound judgment, extreme discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implements management policies and initiatives and promotes teamwork. Manages the operation of the Foster Care Review Division legal department to ensure state and federal program compliance and with the goal of facilitating positive legal outcomes for children who are reviewed by local foster care review boards. Serves as a resource attorney for Foster Care Review Division staff and foster care review board members by assisting with complex or nuanced legal issues and provides legal representation for all review boards regarding permanency for children in foster care in family court proceedings. Serves as chief legal officer to the Foster Care Review Division Director and State Board of Directors. Advises administration and the State Board of Directors on both state and federal legislative acts, regulations, court rules, and family court decisions related to foster care children. Reviews Foster Care Review Division contractual agreements and other related documents. Manages the development and delivery of all legal trainings for Foster Care Review Division staff and the review boards. Serves as the legal liaison of the Foster Care Review Division and the foster care review boards both internally and with external agencies and organizations. Establishes and strengthens relationships between internal staff and other agencies and organizations including engaging in and contributing to program-related committees and workgroups consistent with DCA's and FCRD's mission, vision, and goals while using discretion and adhering to confidentiality laws. Reviews and analyzes regional and statewide data and reports regarding trends, concerns, and progress which are relevant to legal advocacy regarding safety. wellbeing, and permanence for children in foster are; provides recommendations to Foster Care Review Division Director and leadership team regarding quality improvements. Monitors and reports on legislative activity of interest to the Division. Represents the FCRD in legislative hearings and meetings, when called on by the DCA Director, DCA General Counsel, and/or FCRD Director. Other duties as assigned related to the DCA mission and vision or the FCRD mission.

Requirements

• Experience practicing law in court proceedings
• Ability to staff cases and identify and respond to issues related to permanency for children
• Ability to conduct research and provide appropriate responses related to policy and law for Foster Care Review Division and foster care review boards
• Knowledge of case, statutory and common law related to family law, particularly the S.C. Children's Code
• Must be able to exercise appropriate discretion and sound judgment in dealing with coworkers, the public and relevant community partners - such as the Department of Social Services and guardians ad litem - and conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism, both in and out of court.
• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively, while maintaining a lawyer-client relationship.
• Public speaking ability is necessary.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, extreme discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• At least 10 years experience as a practicing attorney
• Must be a member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar.
• Must be a member of the SC Bar and completed Rule 403 requirements.
• Must have a valid SC class "D" driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a practicing attorney in the area of child welfare in South Carolina
• Knowledge regarding state and federal law in regard to the safety wellbeing, and permanency of children in foster care.

Responsibilities

• Serves as General Counsel for the Foster Care Review Division and performs legal services for the Foster Care Review Division and review boards, to include legal analysis, interpretation, advocacy, and practice both in and out of court.
• Assists the Foster Care Review Division and the State Foster Care Review Board with the development of program policy and improvements regarding legal advocacy for the local review boards.
• Stays abreast of pending legislation, and all laws relevant to child welfare.
• Trains program staff, board members, and partner stakeholders on matters related to the execution of the duties of a board member as mandated in the SC Children's Code, as well as related topics.
• Performs other duties as assigned through the DCA Director or Agency General Counsel.
• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork.
• Coaches, counsels and trains employees.
• Establishes and monitors work processes.
• Implements management policies and initiatives and promotes teamwork.
• Manages the operation of the Foster Care Review Division legal department to ensure state and federal program compliance and with the goal of facilitating positive legal outcomes for children who are reviewed by local foster care review boards.
• Serves as a resource attorney for Foster Care Review Division staff and foster care review board members by assisting with complex or nuanced legal issues and provides legal representation for all review boards regarding permanency for children in foster care in family court proceedings.
• Serves as chief legal officer to the Foster Care Review Division Director and State Board of Directors.
• Advises administration and the State Board of Directors on both state and federal legislative acts, regulations, court rules, and family court decisions related to foster care children.
• Reviews Foster Care Review Division contractual agreements and other related documents.
• Manages the development and delivery of all legal trainings for Foster Care Review Division staff and the review boards.
• Serves as the legal liaison of the Foster Care Review Division and the foster care review boards both internally and with external agencies and organizations.
• Establishes and strengthens relationships between internal staff and other agencies and organizations including engaging in and contributing to program-related committees and workgroups consistent with DCA's and FCRD's mission, vision, and goals while using discretion and adhering to confidentiality laws.
• Reviews and analyzes regional and statewide data and reports regarding trends, concerns, and progress which are relevant to legal advocacy regarding safety. wellbeing, and permanence for children in foster are; provides recommendations to Foster Care Review Division Director and leadership team regarding quality improvements.
• Monitors and reports on legislative activity of interest to the Division.
• Represents the FCRD in legislative hearings and meetings, when called on by the DCA Director, DCA General Counsel, and/or FCRD Director.
• Other duties as assigned related to the DCA mission and vision or the FCRD mission.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior