TITLE:
Attorney
DEPARTMENT: Social Services, McDowell County
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JOB SUMMARY: This position provides legal services to the Department of Social Services.
MAJOR DUTIES:
• Appears in Juvenile and Child Support Court; appears in cases before the Clerk, including
incompetence and adult protective services proceedings; reviews and negotiates cases.
• Prepares and reviews pleadings for petitions, abuse, neglect, dependency, and termination of
parental rights cases and for Child Support Court, adult protective services, and
incompetency and guardianship hearings.
• Prepares for court; prepares Social Workers and witnesses including Foster children; reviews
files; prepares examinations and cross examinations; meets with supervisors and other
attorneys to discuss cases; prepares subpoenas.
• Dictates, reviews, edits, and distributes Protective Service Court Orders.
• Trains, assigns, directs, supervises, and evaluates assigned personnel.
• Organizes and schedules cases.
• Monitors the Service of Process.
• Organizes, reviews, and files notices; prepares list of cases with hearing dates and forwards
to appropriate parties.
• Attends training sessions and workshops to remain current knowledge of policy and court
decisions affecting the department.
• Advises the Director on legal matters related to the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:
• Knowledge of court procedure, trial advocacy, and the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of direct and cross examination of witnesses.
• Knowledge of court orders.
• Knowledge of juvenile law.
• Knowledge of the rules of civil procedure and service of process.
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in preparing legal documents.
• Skill in operating computer and other office equipment.
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• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
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• Skill in oral and written communication.
• SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Director assigns work in terms of department goals and
objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of
department activities.
• GUIDELINES: Guidelines include the Juvenile Code, the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules
of Evidence, state and federal laws pertaining to IV-D Child Support Collections, North
Carolina General Statutes pertaining to Adult Protective Services and Incompetence, the North
Carolina Attorney’s Code of Professional Conduct, state and federal statutes relating to Foster
Care and Permanency Planning, and the Model Rules pertaining to the Department of Social
Services Staff Attorneys. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in
application.
• COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied duties in the provision of legal services.
Negotiations with multiple parties contribute to the complexity of the position.
• SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to represent the Department of Social
Services, appear for them in court, and handle their legal needs. The quality of work
performed affects directly the work product and functioning of the rest of the department.
• PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with Social Workers, child support agents,
judges, court personnel, attorneys, physicians, psychologists, therapists, law enforcement
personnel, clients, and the general public.
• PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide
services, motivate persons, resolve problems, and justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters.
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or
while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office.
• SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY:
supervision over Legal Assistant (1).
This position has direct
• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduation from an accredited school of law and licensed to practice in the State of North
Carolina.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the
position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had
a similar position for one or two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North
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Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
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• Current membership in the State Bar of North Carolina.
Benefits
Full-time Benefited
PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED
APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT ONLY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED IN
RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
No additional information will be solicited by the McDowell County; therefore, persons who submit
incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training and experience.
APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 19, 2015
McDowell County is an equal opportunity employer
McDowell County participates in E-Verify
Applications are available:
- on this site under Employment Opportunities
- McDowell County Administration Building
Front Lobby Human Resource Center
60 East Court St
Marion NC 28752
- Employment Security Commission
316 Baldwin Ave
Marion NC 28752
Applications can be submitted:
- in person at the County Administration building at our Human Resource Center located in the front
of the building.
- mail to:
McDowell County Human Resources
60 East Court Street
Marion, NC 28752
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- email to:
rsilvers@mcdowellgov.com
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