Assistant County Attorney (Social Services)

Johnston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Description

Johnston County is currently looking to add a full-time County Assistant Attorney (Social Services).
Under the supervision of the County Attorney, the Assistant County Attorney (Social Services) provides legal representation to Johnston County agencies and various departments, including primary responsibility for providing professional legal services on behalf of Johnston County Department of Social Services (DSS). The Assistant County Attorney will advise departments in matters of law, manage assigned litigation cases, and appear in state and federal court. Independent thinking, professional judgment, initiative, and communication skills are essential in performing various duties. Work requires advanced knowledge of State laws regulating local government, state and federal constitutional law, and legal principles, precedents, and practices and their application to functions of DSS mandated services. Strong analytical skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships are required. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Attorney, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in applying legal knowledge to specific problems.
**This is a re-posting, if you have already applied there is no need to re-apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Represent the County in legal proceedings at all levels of state and federal courts.
• Represent and advise County departments regarding legal issues.
• Prepare legal pleadings to include complaints, motions, briefs, orders, and judgments, prepare appeals, render legal opinions, and appear in court as legal counsel to DSS and other county departments as directed.
• Consult with opposing attorneys, consulting attorneys, staff, and outside agency representatives.
• Receive and respond to legal questions and research requests from all areas of the County government.
• Handle and resolve all claims involving potential legal obligations.
• Review and respond to public records requests.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of local and State laws and court decisions pertaining to local government.
• Thorough knowledge of legal research, the investigation, preparation, and presentation of cases for trial.
• Thorough knowledge of legal office procedures, practices, and methods.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departments, Court officials, members of the bar, clients, and the general public.
• Ability to handle trial litigation.
• Ability to interpret and apply constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, court decisions, and other precedents.
• Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments.
• Ability to express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically in oral and written forms.
• Ability to prepare and render legal opinions.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.

Designation