What are the responsibilities and job description for the Attorney 1-3 (CSE - Baton Rouge) position at DCFS-Department of Children and Family Services?
Salary
$5,257.20 - $9,211.00 Monthly
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type
Classified
Job Number
224851Atty1-3(CSE)-08142026NR
Department
DCFS-Department of Children and Family Services
Opening Date
08/14/2026
Closing Date
8/24/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
Department MISSION
To protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities so every child grows up safe, stable, and strong.
Department VISION
A future where every child thrives in a loving environment, supported by empowered families and resilient communities.
Department VALUES
Treating all people with dignity, compassion and respect, while providing services with integrity.
Join Our Team at DCFS: Attorney 1-3 (East Baton Rouge Parish)
We are looking for an Attorney to join our DCFS Team in Baton Rouge Region Parish. This administrative position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/ Child support Enforcement (CSE) within one of nine regions throughout the State of Louisiana. This is a highly complex position operating within strict legal requirements and departmental policy and procedures involving highly controversial and emotional issues. Operates with considerable independence and must exercise discretion and judgment in evaluating cases for establishing paternity, obtaining medical and child support orders.
If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact - this could be the opportunity for you!
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
- Prepare and try civil suits in courts of primary jurisdiction and in appellate courts involving issues of establishment of CSE paternity and support obligations in all cases including but not limited to, URESA/UIFSA and long arm cases, the enforcement of previously established civil support obligations 20% as well as all modifications of the civil orders.
- Reviews and approves legal documents and responds to issues needing legal opinion and/or clarification concerning various administrative concerns within the Department.
- Gives advice and counsel in all matters relating to the establishment of paternity, child support, medical support and income assignment law and its regulatory structure an exoteric area of law requiring specialized knowledge and experience.
- Reviews all cases that have been referred from the Intake and/or Collection Unit to determine appropriate action needed.
- Timely review collection cases for proper disposition relative to the enforcement of the existing support orders by seeking civil contempt and/or establishing support arrearage, obtaining immediate income assignment orders and obtaining medical support when requested or required and updates computer system with regard to all actions taken.
- Serves as legal counsel to Regional Child Support Enforcement Office on general questions of law not having statewide applicability.
- Perform notarial duties as needed.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.
Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.Work Location: East Baton Rouge Parish
Career Progression: May be filled as an Attorney 1-3 depending on qualifications.
Compensation: Below is the starting hourly rate for each level.
- Attorney 1 $30.33 hourly (AS-619)
- Attorney 2 $32.45 hourly (AS-620)
- Attorney 3 $36.51 hourly (AS-622)
Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service Test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in this application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
Tra'lecia Holmes
Department of Children and Family ServicesTra'lecia.Holmes.DCFS@LA.GOV
DCFS is an “Equal Opportunity Employer”, and Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx
Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
- Mardi Gras,
- Good Friday,
- Memorial Day,
- Independence Day,
- Labor Day,
- Veteran's Day,
- Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement – State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
- Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others
Salary : $30 - $37