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Chief Social Services Attorney Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 1/1/16 Amended: 5/22/18; 10/13/22 CHIEF SOCIAL SERVICES ATTORNEY DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The position involves all the duties and responsibilities of a Social Services Attorney plus the added responsibility of managing the legal department. Regularly conferences with the Commissioner of Social Services and designees to keep abreast of cases and policy updates. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Commissioner of Social Services and involves the direct supervision of all Social Services Attorneys and support staff. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Supervises the legal unit within the Department of Social Services; Plans, coordinates and manages the activities of subordinates with the assigned area of responsibility; Interprets State and Federal laws and regulations as they relate to service programs and advises the Commissioner of Social Services for policy development purposes; Conducts performance evaluations of subordinate staff; Assesses training needs of staff and coordinates training programs for them by direct assistance and mentoring; Reviews work of attorneys to ensure procedures and laws are being followed; Supervises subordinate staff in the day to day operations of a legal office; Conducts interviews with potential employees, makes recommendations for hiring; Acts as legal consultant to the various divisions of the Department of Social Services, such as Child Welfare, Temporary Assistance, Medical Assistance, Support Enforcement, Adult Services, and other programs within the department; Represents the Department of Social Services in Family Court matters such as child abuse and/or neglect, foster care, adoption, termination of parental rights, appeals, adult protective services and related programs; Prepares legal documents such as discoveries, neglect/abuse petitions, orders, appeals and various other legal documents to initiate Family Court intervention; Prepares cases for Family Court by conferencing with the staff members working on the case; Directs investigations and legal activities in paternity actions including attending court, trying paternity cases, and may handle subsequent appeals; Represents the department at fair hearings; Provides legal counsel in resource matters such as liens, estimates, and trusts; Consults with and advises Commissioner of Social Services and other department staff on questions of legal liability and alternative course of action; Responsible for implementation of policy and operational changes in the legal unit; Trains the Social Services Attorneys as needed; May train department staff on various legal issues. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of local, state and federal laws as they ---PAGE BREAK--- Chief Social Services Attorney Page 2 I 2 apply to social welfare; Good knowledge of civil court procedures and the rules of evidence; Good knowledge of the general functions and administrative activities of the County Department of Social Services; Ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts and precedence to legal problems; Ability to efficiently gather facts by interview and investigation; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Possession of a license to practice law in New York State and five years of experience, two of which must be in a related legal field.