Assistant District Attorney - Child Welfare

Assistant District Attorney - Child Welfare

Salary

$87,000.00 - $146,000.00 Annually

Location

Smith County Courthouse, 100 N. Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX

Job Type

Exempt

Job Number

00691

Department

District Attorney

Opening Date

10/06/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary/Objective

The Smith County District Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced attorney for a Child Welfare Prosecutor position.

This position handles DFPS cases from intake to final order including orders to aid in investigation and removals stemming from Family Based Safety Services up to and including emergency removals. The DFPS Prosecutor will be working in a division that includes three legal assistants and three other prosecutors with a large and very active DFPS unit located in Tyler, Texas.

Smith County is a conservative community that values law enforcement and expects the equal application of the rule of law to everyone. The Smith County District Attorney's Office prosecutors aggressively advocate for children, victims, and law enforcement while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include all aspects of DFPS prosecution including attending regular court hearings, preparing and participating in trials and contested hearings, preparing orders and other legal documents including Rule 11 agreements, preparing discovery, attending mediations, meeting with witnesses/DFPS workers, and other miscellaneous duties.

There are no appellate duties associated with this job.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Organized with the ability to manage a trial docket in multiple courtrooms.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to ethical prosecution.
• Preference for attorney to have courtroom experience.
• Ability to work well with others to assist with negotiations and counseling DFPS.
• Ability to learn quickly and be able to do occasional legal research.

Education and Experience

Licensed to practice law in Texas in good standing.

HOLIDAYS

Smith County employees enjoy 12 holidays a year. These are:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Administrative Day (Employees Choice)

Each year, Commissioners Court sets the official holiday schedule.

VACATION LEAVE

1 day earned per month (12 days per year). After 5 years of service, 1 1/4 days earned per month (15 per year). After 10 years service, 1 1/2 days earned per month (18 per year).

SICK LEAVE

1 day given per month. Allowed to accrue maximum of 80 days.

SICK LEAVE POOL

Smith County has established a Sick Leave Pool on a voluntary, contributory basis.

MILITARY LEAVE

Granted up to 15 calendar days per year.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Unpaid leave may be granted by Department Head for up to 60 days (over 60 days requires Commissioners Court approval) for purposes of:

(1) education that may contribute to the benefit of the County,

(2) public service assignment,

(3) attending to important personal business.

CITIZENSHIP LEAVE

Provides that employees receive normal pay during period called for jury duty which includes both the jury selection process and, if selected, the time the employee actually spends serving on the jury; serving as a subpoenaed witness; and for the purpose of voting.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

Provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons during a 12-month period, and up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Smith County offers a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan to its employees and employees eligible dependents. The plan is administered by The Health Plan.

DRUG CARD COVERAGE

Employee prescription costs are $10 Copay for Generic, $30 Copay for Formulary Brand, $45 Copay for Non-Formulary Brand. Mail service is available for maintenance prescriptions. 90-day max supply retail or mail order.

• Mandatory Generic - if generic is available, you will pay the difference between the generic drug and the Brand, plus the Brand copay.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Preventative checkups and cleaning (2 per year) at no cost to employee. Dental work after a $50 deductible per year (maximum of $150 per family) has maximum benefit of $2,000 per year per covered person. Basic services are covered at 80%, major services at 80% and orthodontics (up to age 19) at 50% up to $1,500 lifetime benefit.

LIFE INSURANCE

Up to $10,000 paid for by County. Additional supplemental coverage available at employees expense.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE

Furnished at no cost to employee. Pays 50% of life amount for loss of limb or eye; 100% for loss of 2 limbs or death due to an accident.

RETIREMENT

Employees are eligible to retire: after 20 years of service regardless of age, at age 60 with at least 8 years of service or when age plus service equals 75.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

A payroll deduction savings plan which allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary before Federal taxes - to invest in a tax-favored supplemental retirement program.

For additional benefits information click on the link below:

https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/human-resources/benefits

01

Please provide your Texas Bar license number?

02

Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty or no contest to, or received deferred adjudication for a criminal offense? Please explain. Date, Charge, Location, and Disposition.

03

Have you ever been terminated from employment or asked to resign from a position? If so, please explain.

04

Please provide three references, including their name, phone number, years acquainted, and relationship to you.

05

Why are you interested in working for the Smith County District Attorneys Office, specifically this position?

06

Please describe your career goals:

07

Have you uploaded your cover letter and resume? If not please do so.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Smith County

Address 200 E. Ferguson Street

Suite 202

Tyler, Texas, 75702

Phone 903-590-4641

Website http://www.smith-county.com