REPOST Attorney II

Special Notice:
This is a REPOST -- Previous applicants need not re‑apply for this position.

Applicants must be willing to work in one of the following counties:

• Aiken
• Bamberg
• Barnwell
• Chester
• Edgefield
• Fairfield
• Kershaw
• Lancaster
• Lexington
• Mc Cormick
• Richland
• Saluda
• Union
• York

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize, and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the South Carolina Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

• Provide professional legal services and representation for assigned county offices, area adoption offices, and the regional Day Care licensing office, including representation in Family Court on issues related to child protection, foster care, adoption, adult protection, and economic services.
• Represent the agency in all matters pertaining to emergency or non‑emergency removal of children and vulnerable adults, termination of parental rights, inspection warrants, in‑home protective services, permanency planning, judicial review of services, and any appeals arising from these actions.
• Timely prepare, file, and serve or ensure the timely preparation, filing, and service of all pleadings, motions, orders, notices, rules to show cause, and other court documents related to representation of the agency in legal actions, including all determinations required by state and federal law.
• Conduct case staffing meetings to analyze the legal status of cases and advise staff on agency legal matters; prepare cases for court by conducting and responding to discovery, interviewing and preparing witnesses, and reviewing agency documentation and external reports.
• Comply with agency policy, state, and federal law when representing the agency in permanency planning hearings and termination of parental rights.
• Ensure the proper provision of notice of legal proceedings to appropriate parties.
• Utilize or ensure utilization of the Legal Case Management System for legal operations and documentation of legal activity in cases.
• Establish and maintain a professional network, attend training sessions to enhance professionalism, review legislation, statutory changes, and case law decisions, and advise staff about the law; participate in agency meetings to discuss outcomes, identify improvement areas, and conduct in‑house training for other staff members.
• Perform Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty/services as directed.

A Juris Doctorate Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least 18 months of experience as a practicing attorney.

Must be a member of the South Carolina Bar.

Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

Resumes can be submitted in lieu of completing the online application; however, all agency supplemental questions are required and must be completed for the application to be considered. Must possess a valid driver’s license, be able and willing to drive, transport children and adults, lift children safely, and interact with them positively. If you certify that you possess the educational credentials qualifying you for the position, a certified official transcript will be required if you are selected for an offer.

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual vacation leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Office of General Counsel / Richland County