Attorney I or Attorney II

Agency: Department of Social Services • Location: Statewide, SD • Pay Grade: L1 or L2

About the role

The Department of Social Services seeks an attorney committed to serving the public. As the largest state agency, DSS attorneys engage with a wide variety of legal topics and settings, including child protection, foster care, and adoption; Medicaid and behavioral health; food and nutrition support, income and work programs; child support; professional licensing; and key public policy decision-making. We practice before South Dakota’s Supreme Court and circuit courts, as well as before administrative law judges.

Responsibilities

• Handle legal matters relating to child abuse and neglect, child support enforcement, professional licensing, open meetings and open records, child welfare agency licensing, Medicaid and other state/federal assistance programs, and behavioral health services.
• Write appellate briefs and represent the State of South Dakota in administrative and circuit court hearings.
• Provide general counsel services to licensing boards.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Member of the South Dakota State Bar or willing and qualified to become a member and qualify for appointment as a Special Assistant Attorney General.
• Highly motivated with a passion for serving the public and a strong commitment to completing assignments and goals.
• Dependable, organized, and able to effectively plan and organize work activities.
• Dedicated to representing the Department of Social Services with integrity and enthusiasm.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate to achieve shared goals.

Skills

• High standards of ethical conduct.
• Effective and efficient communication.
• Understanding of litigation practice and strategies.
• Sound judgment and ability to take prompt, decisive action.
• Analytical skills to interpret information, issues, situations, practices, and precedents.
• Ability to work independently while accepting guidance and soliciting input.
• Actively seek, collect, and evaluate information to learn more about issues or events.
• Successfully plan and organize work activities, adjust to multiple demands, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.

Benefits

• 15 days of paid vacation, 14 days of paid sick leave, family leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Employer health insurance with a $0 premium option, dental, and vision coverage.
• Additional insurance options available.
• 6% matched retirement into the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS).
• Many other fringe benefits.