Assistant County Attorney (DCFS Legal Bureau)

Dutchess County Attorney’s Office, located in Poughkeepsie, seeks an Assistant County Attorney (“ACA”) for the Department of Community and Family Services (“DCFS”) Legal Bureau.
The candidate will be detail oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently. We seek a creative problem-solver who is eager to learn, and who possesses excellent written and oral communication skills.
ACAs represent DCFS in child welfare and child support cases in Family Court, adult welfare cases in Supreme Court and fair hearings conducted by administrative law judges. ACAs participate in all aspects of investigations, including working directly with law enforcement, DCFS case workers, assigned attorneys and DCFS staff as necessary. They draft and/or review petitions, applications, motions and orders, respond to motions, prepare for fact-finding hearings, evaluate cases, negotiate settlements where appropriate, prepare, review, and/or argue pre and post-judgment motions and appeals as necessary and attend meetings and court as required. Travel in the course of a workday may be required and assignments outside of normal working hours may be given.

To view a complete list of job duties visit https://apps.dutchessny.gov/public-access-viewer/JobDescriptions

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Admission to the New York State Bar and a member in good standing.
• Two years of experience in child welfare and child support proceedings is preferred but not required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Candidate must possess a valid New York State driver’s license at the time of employment and to maintain the position .

Civil Service examination is not required for this position.

FINGERPRINTING: A fingerprint supported background investigation is required before an appointment is made to some positions. Pursuant to New York State Executive Law, the Division of Criminal Justice Services requires that a fee accompany each such request for a search. It is due once a job offer is made and accepted by the applicant.

For immediate consideration, submit an application on or before September 5, 2025.

Apply online at http://www.dutchessny.gov/jobs OR submit a cover letter and resume to:

E-mail: rjwhispell@dutchessny.gov

OR

Dutchess County Attorney’s Office

ATTN: Rachel J. Whispell, Confidential Legal Secretary

22 Market Street, 5th Floor

Poughkeepsie, New York 12601

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,195.00 - $98,390.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person