Child Services Attorney

at  State of Indiana

WORK FOR INDIANA

Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana’s communities every day.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion - Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process, as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Advises Department of Child Services staff on various program and legal areas as assigned
• Drafts and reviews contracts and correspondence.
• Serves as a liaison to the Attorney General on litigation and tort claims matters.
• Drafts and reviews legislation and administrative rules.
• Performs legal research and writing assignments.
• Provides general legal support for the Office of General Counsel.
• Oversees contract process for local office attorneys.
• Conducts legal training for Family Case Managers, attorneys, and others as requested.
• Litigates Children in Need of Services and Termination of Parental Rights cases in State Courts representing the agency in such actions.
• Handles administrative matters and hearings as assigned.
• Organizes and manages caseload in preparation for hearings and/or litigation.
• Generates appropriate pleadings, motions, discovery, and responses.
• Delegates to and provides support for any legal support staff.
• Drafts appeals and appellate briefs.
• May be required to participate in committees, groups, or teams such as screen-out committees.
• May be required to serve as local counsel for the Indiana Office of Attorney General on assigned cases.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the employee’s activities, duties, or responsibilities. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Child Services Attorney provides legal advice and legal services to Central Office, County Offices and/or staff of DCS for Juvenile law matters relating to Child Welfare, Child Support and personnel matters and to represent and assist the Agency in administrative and/ or court matters. The attorney will be responsible for representing the State in Child In Need of Services (CHINS) cases, Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), Adoptions, Foster Care Licensing Actions, and other general legal issues relating to the safety of children. This individual will work closely with Family Case Managers to prepare for court hearings and may serve as legal counsel for internal employment issues.
This position provides immediate trial experience and does not encompass billable hours.
The schedule for this position is Monday- Friday, 37.5 hours a week.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES/DIRECT REPORTS:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Advises Department of Child Services staff on various program and legal areas as assigned
• Drafts and reviews contracts and correspondence.
• Serves as a liaison to the Attorney General on litigation and tort claims matters.
• Drafts and reviews legislation and administrative rules.
• Performs legal research and writing assignments.
• Provides general legal support for the Office of General Counsel.
• Oversees contract process for local office attorneys.
• Conducts legal training for Family Case Managers, attorneys, and others as requested.
• Litigates Children in Need of Services and Termination of Parental Rights cases in State Courts representing the agency in such actions.
• Handles administrative matters and hearings as assigned.
• Organizes and manages caseload in preparation for hearings and/or litigation.
• Generates appropriate pleadings, motions, discovery, and responses.
• Delegates to and provides support for any legal support staff.
• Drafts appeals and appellate briefs.
• May be required to participate in committees, groups, or teams such as screen-out committees.
• May be required to serve as local counsel for the Indiana Office of Attorney General on assigned cases