RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE LEGAL RESIDENCE OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT.
The work involves giving legal advice and counsel to administrative employees of the Department of Social Services. Working under the general supervision of the Executive Director of Department of Social Services—Office of Counsel, the incumbent participates in various legal actions for the Department. The incumbent is responsible for performing professional legal work with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. Supervision may be exercised over clerical employees.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Renders legal opinions on individual case problems; Gives counsel and advice on the interpretation of local, State and Federal laws; Coordinates activities in the legal area of the Department; Represents the Department in the prosecution of civil suits; Participates in the defense of civil suits against the Department; Participates in the areas of neglect and abuse, resident support, non-resident support and paternity proceedings in Family Court; Participates in civil fraud cases; Approves legal requirements in agency adoptions; Recovers claims against estates of deceased recipients in Surrogate's Court and on liens from personal injury claims in Supreme Court; Presents cases for Department in Fair Hearings before Hearing Officer; Conducts incompetency and conservatorship proceedings in the Supreme Court and handles all appeals in these proceedings; Participates in Juvenile Delinquent and PINS proceedings; Participates in Medicaid and Temporary Assistance proceedings;
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations dealing with the Social Services area; good knowledge of constitutional law and municipal law; good knowledge of legal principles, terminology, and procedures; good knowledge of techniques involved in court presentation, investigation and prosecution of proceedings; ability to present clear and logical arguments of law by written or spoken word; ability to comprehend and carry out complex oral and written instructions; ability to get along well with others; personal and professional integrity; good judgment; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree, and admission to the Bar of the State of New York and one (1) year of experience* in the practice of child abuse/neglect law, child support enforcement law, domestic relations Law, family law, public interest law, poverty law, elder law or welfare fraud law, or criminal prosecution.
NOTE 1: *Completion of (24) semester credit hours at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university in any combination of the following fields of law school study: child abuse/neglect law, child support enforcement law, family law, public interest law, poverty law, elder law or welfare fraud law, or criminal prosecution may be substituted for the required one (1) year of experience
NOTE 2: ** Candidates may be appointed as an Attorney Trainee (Job Grade XIV) with the required degree and coursework as described in Note 1 who have received practice orders from the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division Fourth Judicial Department. Admission to the Bar of the State of New York is required within one year of appointment. Upon admission to the bar, the appointee shall be granted the Job Grade XV.