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Posted June 07, 2026

Attorney V / 61015815

State of South Carolina
Richland County, SC Full Time
Compensation: $110,800 to $160,600 Annually
Reference: StateofSouthCarolina5365571

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

Job Duties:
  • The Attorney V under general supervision serves as a staff attorney with the state agency.

  • Provides legal advice to all levels, state and local, of DSS officials and staff on a variety of areas but with a focus on Child Welfare Policy and Practice. Maintains specialized knowledge of state and federal child welfare laws, policy, and practice and provides advice in areas of child protective services, foster care, permanency, and adult protective services. Provides legal advice, consultation, and representation to agency staff as a member of the OGC Child Welfare Policy and Practice team. Litigates complex and difficult cases for DSS, in trial and appellate practice, as necessary, and including all aspects of representation such as research, brief writing, appellate argument, and administrative hearings. Represents the Agency in Out-of-Home Abuse and Neglect (OHAN) hearings.

  • Provides advice to all levels of management and administration on personnel and employment law questions and issues; provides representation for management in employee grievances and SHAC/EEOC complaints; provides advice to and coordinates with the Office of Human Resources and/or Office of the Inspector General on the handling of personnel-related investigations.

  • Provides advice, consultation, and representation in licensing matters, including childcare licensing, foster family home licensing, and group care licensing. Represents DSS, provides advice and consultation related to adoption of children in the custody of DSS.

  • Attends to special projects requiring unique legal expertise as directed by the General Counsel, to include for example research and advice regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state ethics laws. Serves on inter-agency teams as Office of General Counsel representative.

  • Monitors, coordinates, provides assistance and acts as liaison between DSS and outside counsel in civil lawsuits against the Agency at all levels of complexity.

  • Understands and exercises data security and confidentiality in the transfer, disclosure and management of all client and employee personal information.

  • Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty or services as directed.

  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Agency Requirements:
A Juris Doctor Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and ten (10) years experience as a practicing attorney.

Please Note: A writing sample must be submitted with your application.

Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR.

Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Resumes may be submitted in lieu of filling out the work experience of the online application. The following sections are required for consideration: personal information, preferences, agency-wide questions and job specific supplemental questions.
Must have completed Rule 403, SCACR (South Carolina Appellate Court Rules) Trial Experiences as required by SC Judicial Branch.
Thorough knowledge of the laws of SC & Federal statutes and regulations governing the various program areas. Thorough knowledge of policies, standards & procedures of the Office of General Counsel. Thorough knowledge of general case, statutory & common law & of judicial & quasi-judicial procedures & rules of procedure, including ethics considerations. The ability to interpret statues, regulations and judicial decisions; and to analyze factual circumstances within the framework of controlling statues, regulations and judicial decisions. The ability to express orally and in writing, factual and legal conclusions & arguments clearly and cogently
Additional Comments:
This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.

Must possess a valid driver's license. The employee must be able to communicate effectively (written and orally) and write legibly. May be required to work after hours and/or some overnight travel and must be able to lift approximately 15-20 lbs.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:
  • Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
  • 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
  • 15 days sick leave per year
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs
Division: Office of General Counsel / Richland County

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