Chief Child Services Attorney

About the role

The Chief Child Service Attorney operates with a high level of independence. Decisions are often made in crisis situations by the attorney and their team, directly impacting the safety and well-being of the children and families served. These decisions may also carry significant financial implications for the agency.

Responsibilities

• Display competency in all areas of litigation conducted at the local office level, including CHINS, TPR, CAPTA administrative appeals, foster care licensing hearings, subsidy matters, and ancillary matters such as guardianship, custody, and adoption.
• Serve as a liaison between Central Office legal management and direct reports.
• Monitor staff caseloads, delegate tasks, and supervise the work of the Deputy Chief Counsel and other direct reports.
• Aid in recruitment; select, onboard, and assist in training of employees to ensure expectations are met and to promote staff development; complete performance management tasks including appraisals and reviews; work with HR and supervision to address staff disciplinary issues as needed.
• Work closely with internal case management partners such as the Regional Manager to build strong legal/case management relationships and work toward mutual permanency goals; communicate with external partners such as Courts, CASA/GAL and public defenders to build relationships and share information which impacts DCS cases such as statutory, appellate or policy changes.
• Advise Department of Child Services staff on various program and legal areas as assigned.
• Identify goals and performance metrics, and monitor metrics identified by the agency to ensure best outcomes for cases on regional caseload.
• Participate in committees, groups, or events such as Continuous Improvement and Lean events.
• Provide input to the Office of the Attorney General regarding regional appeals and appellate briefs.
• Supervise work of contract attorneys if any are assigned within the region.
• Conduct legal trainings for Family Case Managers, attorneys and others as requested; advise and consult with local office attorneys and staff in trial preparation, evidentiary issues, problematic cases and administrative hearings.
• Litigate Child in Need of Services and Termination of Parental Rights matters at the trial court level as needed; handle administrative matters and hearings before OALP as assigned.
• Generate appropriate pleadings, motions and discovery, and responses as needed.
• Provide or organize coverage for any matters that subordinates are unavailable or unable to handle.

Qualifications

• Doctorate of Jurisprudence.
• Indiana Bar Admission with license in good standing OR admission to the bar of any state within the United States with license in good standing and willingness to obtain temporary foreign license status under the conditions and limitations of rule 6.1 of the Indiana Rules for Admissions to the Bar and the Discipline of Attorneys pending admissions to the Indiana Bar.
• Additional Qualifications:
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations related to agency functions and purposes and to assigned program areas.
• Thorough knowledge of Rules of Evidence and Indiana Rules of Court.
• Advanced Knowledge of state's court system and law enforcement agencies.
• Advanced Knowledge of legal resources and procedures.
• Advanced Knowledge of the Rules of Ethics and the Code of Professional Responsibility.
• Ability to communicate articulately for Court proceedings.
• Ability to use tact and empathy when dealing with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crisis situations including those involving aggressive adults being investigated.
• Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
• Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.
• Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations related to agency functions and purposes and to assigned program areas.
• Thorough knowledge of Rules of Evidence and Indiana Rules of Court.
• Advanced Knowledge of state's court system and law enforcement agencies.
• Advanced Knowledge of legal resources and procedures.
• Advanced Knowledge of the Rules of Ethics and the Code of Professional Responsibility.
• Ability to communicate articulately for Court proceedings.
• Ability to use tact and empathy when dealing with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crisis situations including those involving aggressive adults being investigated.
• Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
• Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

Benefits

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options.
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
• Cumulative 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
• 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Free Parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.