Asst County Attorney; DHHS

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Performs necessary legal representation for the advising of the County and its departments on legal matters and representing the County in court when necessary. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class assists the County Attorney or Departmental Attorney in legal representation of the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically in the Abuse, Neglect and Dependency and Child Welfare disciplines with the emphasis on Child Welfare Law and Juvenile Court. This position will work directly with social workers to prepare cases for trial and will be responsible for representing the agency primarily in District Court.

Deadlines are set by statute and must be followed from the filing of the petition through each step of the juvenile action. Additionally, this position will provide legal advice to assigned county department and will study problems and cases affecting a particular county department. Employees answer questions concerning the interpretation and application of statutes, rules, policies, and ordinances. Work is performed independently under the general supervision and direction of the County Attorney and is reviewed for soundness of approach and argument in the application of legal principles, and for effectiveness of results.

Works may require travel between both the Greensboro and High Point offices, as determined by the County Attorney.

• Handles all legal work for assigned county department, which will involve regular courtroom responsibilities.
• Advises agency department officials regarding legal, both state and federal, and policy questions.
• Consult with agents of the department to ensure adequacy of petition, court readiness, and follow up regarding all stages of the Abuse, Neglect, and/or Dependency action in order to achieve timely permanence.
• Engage in trainings with department staff to include witness preparation, court report reviews and state policy updates.
• Assists the County Attorney by executing delegated assignments dealing with legal implications confronting the county agency or department.
• Performs legal research, draft pleadings, and organizes caseload.
• Make court appearances and legal arguments in trial and appellate courts, both state and federal.
• Perform legal duties and related work as assigned and requested by the County Attorney.

• Considerable knowledge of general case, statutory, and common law affecting county Department of Health and Human Services.
• Considerable knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures, the rules of civil procedure and the rules or evidence.
• Considerable knowledge of the organizational structure of the county government.
  • Ability to interpret and apply laws and courts decisions.
• Ability to interpret laws, to analyze legal situations, and to make recommendations that will resolve legal problems.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public, department staff, court partners, and the judiciary contacted in the course of work.

Graduation from an accredited law school with completion and admission to Bar with one year experience in the practice of law, preferably with a concentration in Child Protective Services.

Equivalent time worked in practice as a third-year Certified Legal Intern, with a concentration in local, state, or federal government, is considered applicable toward the one-year requirement.

License to practice law in the State of North Carolina.

This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.