Assistant County Solicitor (Children & Youth Services)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide legal services, direction and counsel in the daily operations of the Children and Youth Services Department, from initial detention hearings through termination of parental rights, including all appellate work.  Provide general counsel on other legal issues including criminal law, labor and employment law, and contract law.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions 

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:


* Meet with caseworkers and supervisors prior to court proceedings and thoroughly communicate with them to gain and give information relevant to the proceeding, including preparing for testimony and counseling the caseworker and supervisor concerning litigation, the court process, and BCCYS' rights and responsibilities.


* Inform all parties that the Solicitor is representing BCCYS and make efforts to resolve the case through informal means and take steps to stay notified of all-important changes or actions involving the case.


* Participate in negotiations, discovery, pre-trial conferences, and family group decision-making conferences.


* Participate in all dependency proceedings including, but not limited to, shelter care, adjudication, disposition, permanency review, and motions hearings.

Participate in appeals.

Participate in Criminal Proceedings, Civil Proceedings, including custody and support, Termination of Parental Rights hearings in Orphans' Court and Administrative hearings through the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals. 


* Investigate the facts of each case by speaking with the child, parent and/or parent attorney, guardian ad litem, caseworker, case supervisor and any other relevant witnesses, including expert witnesses, reviewing relevant records and court files, speaking with the court appointed special advocates, speaking with and/or meeting with the guardians or caretakers of the children, conducting site visits, interviewing other individuals involved with the children, reviewing relevant photographs, reviewing school records, reviewing medical records, reviewing reports from outside agencies and talking to professionals, reviewing drug test or mental health reports, etc.


* Draft, review and revise petitions, motions, stipulations, orders, objections, briefs and/or responses related to dependency, civil, custody, criminal, support, termination, administrative and orphan’s court proceedings.


* Present testimony of witnesses and legal argument concerning the safety and best interest of the child.


* Help ensure that the caseworker and/or supervisor and all other necessary witnesses are present for every hearing and all necessary exhibits have been prepared and distributed to all parties.


* Help identify appropriate family and professional resources for the children.


* Communicate all court orders and other case information to the caseworker and case supervisor and discuss any questions and ens...