STAFF ATTORNEY III

State of careers Rhode Island • Rush, NY

9d

About The Position

General Statement of Duties: Provide legal representation to individuals living with serious mental illness in various matters as assigned by the Director. Such proceedings include but are not limited to representation of individuals subject to involuntary psychiatric commitment, landlord tenant matters, and advocacy for forensic patients involved in the criminal legal system. Advocate for resolution of disputes involving treatment rights and quality of life matters such as public benefits, housing, and discrimination. Develop knowledge of and monitor all aspects of adult and children’s behavioral health system. Any other duties assigned by the Director. Illustrative Examples of Work Performed: Represent individuals subject to involuntary commitment to psychiatric facilities. Visit clients at various psychiatric units and community settings to advise of rights and monitor providers’ compliance with ensuring individual treatment rights. Represent tenants in landlord tenant disputes. Legal research, legislative advocacy and other duties as assigned by the Director. Assist in representing participants in the District Court Mental Health Treatment Calendar.

Requirements

• JD degree
• practice before both the RI District and Superior Courts in assisting individuals with mental health or other disabilities
• experience in the practice of criminal law
• member in good standing with the RI Bar Association and that the applicant maintain such membership as a condition of employment
• licensed attorney with RI Supreme Court in good standing and is required to maintain such license as a condition of employment
• valid driver’s license
• BCI check

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation to individuals living with serious mental illness in various matters as assigned by the Director.
• Represent individuals subject to involuntary psychiatric commitment.
• Advocate for forensic patients involved in the criminal legal system.
• Advocate for resolution of disputes involving treatment rights and quality of life matters such as public benefits, housing, and discrimination.
• Develop knowledge of and monitor all aspects of adult and children’s behavioral health system.
• Represent individuals subject to involuntary commitment to psychiatric facilities.
• Visit clients at various psychiatric units and community settings to advise of rights and monitor providers’ compliance with ensuring individual treatment rights.
• Represent tenants in landlord tenant disputes.
• Legal research, legislative advocacy and other duties as assigned by the Director.
• Assist in representing participants in the District Court Mental Health Treatment Calendar.

Benefits

• For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
• a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree