Requirements N/A Job Description Comments From This Job Announcement Summary The Department of Social Service Staff Attorney serves as legal counsel and provides a full range of legal services for cases associated with the Department of Social Services of Cleveland County. This role involves interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, and policies, representing the department in administrative hearings, court proceedings, and advising staff on legal issues. The Staff Attorney collaborates with internal stakeholders, government agencies, and external partners to ensure compliance with legal standards and to support the department's mission of delivering essential social services to the community. This individual must be familiar with laws that affect the Department of Social Services and agencies and must be able to deal with many matters tactfully. This role requires decision making based on legal expertise with considerable knowledge of legal principles and their application; principles of administrative, constitutional law and the organizational structure of North Carolina County governments. It requires thorough knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes. Essential Functions And Responsibilities Include " Prepares for and conducts courtroom and administrative litigation, appellate litigation, negotiates settlements, and prepares legal opinions on rules and operations of the Social Services Division. " Manages juvenile court caseload, child support enforcement caseload and/or adult welfare court caseload. " Provides backup for other County DSS attorneys in all courts in which Social Services are involved. " Prepares legal documents such as petitions, motions, and appeals. " Drafts court orders and/or oversees the drafting of orders by Paralegal staff. " Provides training to staff regarding court processes/procedures. " Assists Departmental Director in policy development and training of employees within the Department. " Provides legal advice to Social Services Advisory Board. " Performs other related duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities Supervisors and Managers play a critical role in ensuring operational efficiency, team productivity, and organizational success through subordinate staff in the Department of Social Services and its Paralegal(s). Key areas of responsibilities include but are not limited to: Team Management, Performance Monitoring & Feedback, Training & Development, Recruitment & Hiring, Onboarding, Termination & Disciplinary Actions, Compliance & Policy Adherence, Problem Solving & Communication, and Workforce Planning & Delegation. The responsibilities and duties outlined above are intended to provide a general outline and summary of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the Department and County. Education & Experience Graduation from a recognized school of law and at least one (1) year of professional legal experience Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities " Knowledge of legal principles and their application, principles of administrative and constitutional law, and of the organizational structure of North Carolina County governments. " Ability to interpret, analyze and apply legal principles and procedures to governmental problems. " Ability to draft rules, opinions and proposed legislative measures. " Ability to deal effectively with officials, the courts, and the general public. " Thorough knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes. Ability to present statements of fact, law and argument clearly, logically and persuasively. " Ability to maintain effective work relationships with other employees. Licenses & Certifications " Requires license to practice law in North Carolina and possession of all other qualifications prescribed by State Statute " Valid driver's license and insurable driving record. Work Environment / Physical Requirements The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. " Frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force. " Occasional standing, walking, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions. " Work has standard vision requirements. " Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. " Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities. Work Location: This role must work from the location identified at the time of hire with work travel required as needed. Any change of work location, even on a short-term or interim basis, must be reviewed by the Supervisor and HR for approval. Additional Information Individuals hired must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Cleveland County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. This position is a part of the Cleveland County Department of Social Services which is considered a Health and Human Services Department. By General Statue 166A-19.3, Departments of Health and Human Services are agencies that are a part of the State Emergency Response Team for occurrences or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made accidental, military, paramilitary, terrorism, weather-related, public health, explosion-related, riot-related cause, or technological failure or accident, including, but not limited to, a cyber incident, an explosion, a transportation accident, a radiological accident, or a chemical or other hazardous material incident. In the event that the State Emergency Response Team is activated, this position will be required to participate if deemed necessary. APPLICATION PROCESS: All applications must complete and submit an online application form at www.clevelandcounty.com by the closing date. SELECTION PROCESS: Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the best qualified applicants for admission to a structured interview. This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening and background check. How To Apply For This Job Click the ' checkbox ' next to this job announcement then click the ' Apply & Continue ' button. $84,786 - $110,222 (Compensation will be based on experience) Salary Range michelle.weathers@clevelandcountync.gov Contact Email Full-Time Job Type DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Job Category 06/17/2025 Posted 07/07/2025 Deadline michelle.weathers@clevelandcountync.gov Contact Email Full-Time Job Type Job Type DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Job Category Job Category 06/17/2025 Posted Posted 07/07/2025 Deadline Deadline