Attorney 1/2/3 - Child Welfare (Covington)

At The Department of Children and Family Services, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.


This administrative position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/ Child Welfare Services (CWS) within one of nine regions throughout the State of Louisiana, specializing in the area of juvenile and family law, social services law and programs. It is responsible for independently providing highly technical legal direction, advice, assistance, consultation, representation and having a direct influence on operations of the regional program offices and/or parish offices.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.Job Duties:

• Incumbent's job duties require highly developed litigation and in-house counsel skills. Incumbent is frequently before tribunals at the state level (juvenile, civil, criminal, appellate courts in multi-parishes and the State Supreme Court), federal level, and administrative tribunals.
• The position handles all stages of litigation from trial to final appeals.
• Assists other legal sections with the preparation and litigation, of numerous trials, appeals and other matters assigned that are located within the assigned regional area.
• Prepares emergency orders for the enforcement of law or department's policies and may seek injunctive court orders when necessary.
• Prepares staff and represents CWS in mediations involving the department as requested.
• Functions as one of the state's primary involving child protection, foster care, family services. and other department programs. of legal specialists for advising and litigating complex cases adoption services and foster/adoptive home development.
• Assists CWS staff with child safety and welfare laws, including investigations of caretakers, day care centers, and family child day care homes.
• Drafts, reviews, and approves legal documents. Incumbent issues legal opinions to regional administrators and staff within the regional and parish offices.
• Makes public appearances and presentations on behalf of the agency as requested by agency management and/or the judiciary.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.

Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.

Work Location: Livingston Parish

Career Progression: May be filled as an Attorney 1-3 depending on qualifications.

Compensation: Below is the starting hourly rate for each level.

• Attorney 1 $27.08 hourly (AS-619)

• Attorney 2 $28.98 hourly (AS-620)

• Attorney 3 $33.18 hourly (AS-622)

How To Apply:

No Civil Service Test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

* Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in this application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

Tra'lecia Holmes

Tra'[email protected]