SOCIAL SERVICES ATTORNEY III

Introduction

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When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.

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We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.Â

This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

GRADE

22

LOCATION OF POSITION

Baltimore City Department of Social Services

Legal Services

1510 Guilford Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21213

Main Purpose of Job

The Social Services Attorney is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland who performs professional legal work for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services including representation of the Department in Administrative Hearings and in the Circuit Courts, Juvenile Courts and District Court of this State to enable the Department to protect vulnerable children and adults, obtain permanency for children in out-of-home placements, and protect the confidentiality of agency records and information.

POSITION DUTIES

• Prepares and litigates cases and matters on behalf of BCDSS before the Circuit, Juvenile, and District Courts, as assigned, to enable the agency to meet its child welfare, adult protective service, and confidentiality mandates.Â
• Provides legal advice to agency staff, which shall include an assessment of the options available to accomplish staff goals and minimize the potential for agency liability.Â
• Provides legal advice and representation to the agency on evenings, weekends, and holidays when assigned ''on call'' coverage.Â
• Provides training to agency adult and child welfare staff on legal issues relevant to the performance of duties. Comments on proposed legislation and changes in court rules, recommends changes in agency and Legal Services policies and procedures to improve the work of the division and the agency; alerts appropriate Legal Service supervisory staff of problems, with the adequacy of the work of the legal assistants, secretaries and other support personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:Â Â A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.

Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.

Notes:

1. Candidates for this classification must be members of the Maryland Bar at the time of appointment.

2. The above requirements are set by the Department of Human Services in accordance with an Opinion of the Attorney General dated June 13, 1988.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in General Attorney classifications or General Attorney specialty codes in the Legal and Kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

• One year of experience in representing a government agency, public service law, or serving as an advocate in a community activist/services compacity.Â
• One year of experience in juvenile law, Child Welfare or Human Services.
• One year experience as a judicial clerk.
• Completion of at least two relevant courses in human services or public policy, OR successful completion of a clinical program or internship in a legal setting serving human services clients.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

Candidate must be willing to work in Baltimore City.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment (eligible) list. The resulting list may be used for future vacancies with this agency or other state agencies.

If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with the State of Maryland Guidelines.

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

• Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year. Â
• Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year. Â
• Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Employment Services, 1910 N. Broadway, Baltimore MD. 21213, 3rd floor.Â

If you have any questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please email Lavelle Hall at lavelle.hall@maryland.gov. Â

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.Â

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the Stateâs diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.