Attorney IV

State of South Carolina•Columbia, SC

76d

About The Position

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). MISSION: It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation. JOB PURPOSE: Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel serves as a senior attorney representing the Department. The position supervises and evaluates Staff Attorneys, Paralegals, and Records Staff. This position provides training, legal assistance, advice, and guidance on legal and policy matters to agency leadership and employees, and provides assistance for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. This position oversees the agency's response to FOIA and other records requests, coordinates the legal review of agency policies, manages responses to outside stakeholders (court personnel/sister agencies) with legal questions regarding DJJ, ensures the coordination with outside counsel on litigation matters, oversees the legal review of employee disciplinary actions and other HR matters including grievances and representation of the agency in discrimination complaints, and conducts special projects within the Agency.

Requirements

A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.
Member of the South Carolina Bar
Employees may have direct and indirect contact with juvenile residents and must be able to converse with diverse staff on a multitude of topics.
Limited travel, including overnight travel, is required.
This position performs job duties related to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of juveniles within the jurisdiction of DJJ.
Applicable training will be provided.
Experience in employment law and civil litigation from a state agency perspective, or considerable experience in juvenile justice law/practice in SC.
A good working relationship with the Family Court Judiciary and with those attorneys who practice before the Family Court.
Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and of general case, statutory, and common laws.
Knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of guidance.
Ability to interpret and apply laws in court decisions, analyze facts, and express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically.
Effective verbal, written, and analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel, as well as Adobe Pro.

Nice To Haves

This position requires a juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least 15 years of experience as a practicing attorney.
The candidate must also be a member of the South Carolina Bar.

Responsibilities

Supports DJJ employees by providing legal advice, guidance, and assistance on legal and policy questions.
Responds to questions of a legal nature from Judges, Solicitors, Defense Counsel, and stakeholders regarding the juvenile justice system and DJJ.
Conducts training on the juvenile justice system and legal matters for DJJ employees and stakeholders.
Oversees Staff Attorneys in the same and ensures accuracy and consistency of responses.
Consults with and provides legal advice to DJJ Senior Managers and Executive Staff regarding Agency actions taken pursuant to DJJ's Employee Progressive Discipline Policy, Employee Performance Management System Policy, and Employee Grievance Policy, to include representing DJJ before administrative bodies (State HRD) when such actions are grieved/appealed.
Represents DJJ on agency related matters before courts and administrative tribunals, to include DEW and SHAC/EEOC, or coordinates with outside counsel hired to do so.
Oversees Staff Attorneys in the same and ensures accuracy and consistency of responses.
Coordinates with outside counsel on lawsuits filed against the Department, to include document production and witness preparation.
Responds to records requests from attorneys related to potential legal claims against the Department.
Coordinates DJJ's process to respond to FOIA requests.
Assists General Counsel in providing advice and assistance to Agency leadership and employees in response to federal investigation of Department's compliance with federal laws and constitutional standards, including negotiations of settlement, achievement of durable compliance therewith, and representation in potential enforcement.
Oversees the legal review of department policy and procedures to ensure consistency with federal and state laws and regulations.
Oversees the agency's response to FOIA and other records requests.
Assists General Counsel in evaluating potential federal and state legislation, advising management on the potential effects of the proposed legislation on DJJ, and developing proposed statutory language to implement the agency's legislative agenda.
Oversees, supervises and evaluates the Staff Attorneys, Paralegals, and Records Staff; provides coaching/training to staff, reviews work product, conducts performance evaluations, monitors and approves time/leave, addresses performance deficiencies or misconduct/discipline as needed, etc.
Manages, organizes, conducts, and directs special assignments and projects as directed.
Other related job duties as assigned.