3 - Child Welfare (Covington)

State of Louisiana•Covington, LA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

At The Department of Children and Family Services, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity. We are looking for an Attorney to join our DCFS Team in Covington Region, Livingston Parish. This administrative position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/ Child Welfare Services (CWS) within one of nine regions throughout the State of Louisiana, specializing in the area of juvenile and family law, social services law and programs. It is responsible for independently providing highly technical legal direction, advice, assistance, consultation, representation and having a direct influence on operations of the regional program offices and/or parish offices. If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact—this could be the opportunity for you!

Requirements

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Responsibilities

Incumbent's job duties require highly developed litigation and in-house counsel skills.
Incumbent is frequently before tribunals at the state level (juvenile, civil, criminal, appellate courts in multi-parishes and the State Supreme Court), federal level, and administrative tribunals.
The position handles all stages of litigation from trial to final appeals.
Assists other legal sections with the preparation and litigation, of numerous trials, appeals and other matters assigned that are located within the assigned regional area.
Prepares emergency orders for the enforcement of law or department's policies and may seek injunctive court orders when necessary.
Prepares staff and represents CWS in mediations involving the department as requested.
Functions as one of the state's primary involving child protection, foster care, family services. and other department programs. of legal specialists for advising and litigating complex cases adoption services and foster/adoptive home development.
Assists CWS staff with child safety and welfare laws, including investigations of caretakers, day care centers, and family child day care homes.
Drafts, reviews, and approves legal documents.
Incumbent issues legal opinions to regional administrators and staff within the regional and parish offices.
Makes public appearances and presentations on behalf of the agency as requested by agency management and/or the judiciary.