Assistant County Attorney

Primarily responsible for providing legal services at the direction of the County Attorney to the various departments of Davidson County Government; including, but not limited to the Department of Social Services and the Board of Social Services as well as child welfare units; administration; and other mandated social services programs. The legal services provided include advice, counsel, representation at trial, and appellate advocacy. This attorney will be available for such other duties within the Legal Department as may be assigned by the County Attorney. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class is primarily responsible for providing full time legal representation for the Social Services Department and its staff including court appearances, consultation, advice, research, drafting legal documents and briefs, and other normal and ordinary legal services for the agency. This includes child welfare, adult protective services, child support, income maintenance programs including fraud and other normal and ordinary services for the Social Services Board or for other administrative matters related to the operation of the department. Illustrative Examples of Work - Schedules and tries cases of child abuse, neglect, and dependency matters and other types of trial litigation. - Represents the Department in all aspects of child welfare hearings by presenting evidence, calling witnesses, and cross-examining witnesses. - Represents the Department through the legal process of termination of parental rights cases. - Assists in Social Services matters such as drawing petitions requesting authority for the involuntary provision of Adult Protective Services and/or the determination of incompetency and appointment of a guardian, and assists with the disposition of property as appropriate. - Resolves legal problems of unusual importance and complexity on a continuous basis. - Consults with Department staff regarding their legal work in preparation and bringing the cases for trial. - Advises administrative officials on policy questions and operating problems having legal implications and drafting opinion letters to assure proper interpretation and application of the statutes involved. - Plans, directs, and advises the agency in carrying out the regulatory legal activities of the Department. - Plans, directs, and reviews work of legal matters involved in assisting and advising Department officials on operational problems that develop which have legal implications to the Department and to the staff and which requires legal interpretations and opinions. - Provides training to staff on topics relevant to delivery of services by Department. - Appearances in civil and criminal courts in matters related to Department concerns. - Assists in other areas of agency concerns such as clearing children for adoption through the process of termination of parental rights, aiding the fraud income maintenance case workers in preparation of evidence for court, which may include prosecution of some cases on behalf of the state, and legal consultation with appropriate staff on any legal issue. - Serves as legal advisor to the Board of Social Services. - Provides interpretation of laws and rendering of opinions at the request of the Director and/or Board and directs the Department on legal procedure, policies and regulations. - Provides legal interpretation, advice and guidance to the Board, Director and staff in relation to actions, questions of potential liability and other administrative areas. - Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations. - Perform other duties within the Legal Department as required by the County Attorney. Recruitment and Selection Guidelines Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Must demonstrate or possess thorough knowledge of general case, statutory, and common law. - Must demonstrate or possess thorough knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures. - Must have expertise in the conduct of courtroom litigation. - Must have the ability to analyze facts, evidence and legal instruments. - Must have ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written form. - Must maintain effective work relationships with the public and other persons contacted within the course of work.   Physical Requirements - Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of standing, fingering, talking and hearing. - Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. - Must possess visual acuity necessary to perform transcription, extensive reading, to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned. - Worker is subject to inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Education and Experience - Juris doctor from an accredited law school. Licenses and Certifications - Membership in good standing in the North Carolina Bar as a licensed practicing attorney. - Valid North Carolina Driver’s License.