Attorney IV - Child and Family Protection - County Counsel

Description

Under direction, performs professional legal work in the Office of the County Counsel to represent and advise the Board of Supervisors, County officers and departments and certain other public entities on legal issues; represents County agencies in a variety of civil matters; and assists in drafting and/or negotiating contracts, leases, ordinances, resolutions and other legal documents.

The County of Santa Clara Office of the County Counsel is recruiting a passionate and dedicated attorney to join our Child and Family Protection Team. This attorney will provide legal advice and in-court representation to the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), a division of the Social Services Agency, in juvenile dependency matters.

The Child and Family Protection Team plays a vital role in protecting the welfare of children in Santa Clara County. Team members appear regularly in juvenile court to handle uncontested hearings, bench trials, and appellate litigation. In addition to courtroom responsibilities, the attorney will counsel DFCS on a broad range of child welfare issues, including emergency response and dependency investigations, compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act, Child Abuse Central Index grievance procedures, and questions of juvenile case record confidentiality.

This team also involves advising DFCS staff on legal issues related to paternity, court report writing, and educational rights, and includes providing ongoing training to ensure legal compliance and best practices in service delivery.

Typical Tasks

• Represents and advises one or more County department(s), board(s), committee(s), or County officer(s) and employees on legal issues regarding their powers, functions, jurisdiction, procedures, obligations and operations;
  
• Performs legal research on a variety of legal issues pertaining to the interests of the County;
  
• Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in preparing contracts, pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, memoranda and opinions;
  
• Attends meetings of boards, commissions or other committees to give legal advice;
  
• Litigates in both Federal and State Courts;
  
• Assists departments and other contacts in preparing documents, such as labor contracts and agreements;
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Knowledge and abilities consistent with the highest standard of the legal profession and with the level of difficulty and expertise required for the intended appointment.

Membership in the California State Bar is required prior to appointment. Active membership in good standing of the California State Bar must be maintained throughout employment.

• Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations applicable to the assigned responsibility;
  
• Trial and hearing practices, procedures and rules of evidence;
  
• Legal research methods, practices and techniques;
  
• General office practices and procedures, such as record keeping practices.

• Perform legal research;
  
• Analyze and apply legal principles and facts to legal issues;
  
• Analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action;
  
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions on legal cases and in dealing with people;
  
• Monitor current and proposed legislation relating to assigned responsibility;
  
• Write comments or arguments appropriately within a political and sensitive environment;
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and colleagues in the performance of required duties.