Assistant County Attorney (Social Services)

Under the supervision of the County Attorney and/or designated County Attorney staff attorneys, the Assistant County Attorney (Social Services) is primarily responsible for providing professional legal services on behalf of Johnston County Department of Social Services (DSS) and other County departments as needed. The Assistant County Attorney will advise departments in matters of law, manage assigned litigation cases, and appear in state and federal courts.  Independent thinking, professional judgment, initiative, communication skills, and being adept at technology 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 and/or designated County Attorney staff attorneys, with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in applying legal knowledge to specific problems.

• Represent the County in its Social Services litigation (child abuse, neglect, and dependency cases) in the trial and appellate divisions.
• Represent and advise other County departments regarding legal issues.
• Prepare legal pleadings to include petitions, complaints, motions, briefs, orders, and judgments. 
• Prepare cases and client for trial, interview witnesses, conduct discovery, examine law and evidence. 
• Prepare appellate documents, 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.
• Conduct/assist with legal trainings as needed.
• Review and respond to public records requests.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

• Demonstrates knowledge of modern principles and practices of local and State laws and court decisions pertaining to local government.
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal research, the investigation, preparation, and presentation of cases for trial.
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal office procedures, practices, and methods.
• Demonstrates competence with technology and an ability to learn new technologies and skills. 
• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to draft legally-sufficient orders in timely manner, often under tight deadlines.
• 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 take and respond to direction of supervisors. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school with an active license to practice law in North Carolina.  Six months to two years’ experience in the practice of law, some of which is in local government work, is preferred.  Experience may be granted for participation under the Student Practice Certification, North Carolina State Bar Practical Training of Law Students/Clinical Legal Education Programs.   New law school graduates awaiting Bar admission are also encouraged to apply.

Preferred Experience: Five years of experience as a practicing attorney. Preference will be given to those with experience as legal counsel in a local government setting and at least one year of litigation experience.  

Salary : $102,053 - $173,490