| ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES |
ONE (1) VACANCY
OPEN (PROVISIONAL*)
DEPARTMENT: SOCIAL SERVICES
TITLE OF POSITION: DIRECTOR OF CHILD WELFARE LEGAL UNIT
LOCATION: LEGAL
JOB GROUP: 15 (Starting Salary: $86,904-$112,235)
*Please note that this position is a competitive civil service title and will require a civil service examination in the future. After the exam, selection for permanent appointment(s) will be made from reachable candidate(s) on the eligible list according to the NYS Civil Service Rule of Three.
The work involves supervising and coordinating the giving of legal counsel relative to all aspects of child welfare as part of the Department of Social Services’ Office of Counsel. The incumbent is responsible for performing specialized legal work relative to child welfare law, supervising as well as performing administrative duties relative to child welfare law administration within Erie County. Work is performed under the supervision of the Executive Director of Department of Social Services-Office of Counsel, with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. Does related work as required.
Directs and coordinates the activities of the Child Welfare Legal Unit, reporting to the Executive Director of Department of Social Services-Office of Counsel; Directly supervises the attorneys in the Child Welfare Legal Unit, including creating and implementing training protocols, regular case review and related personnel matters; Functions as a liaison between the Child Welfare Legal Unit and Federal, State and local oversight agencies, the Office of Court Administration (OCA) and Family Court; Provides legal advice to the Child Welfare Legal Unit and other departments within Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS), including Child Protective Services (CPS) and Children’s Services, including interpretation and implementation of new child welfare laws, rules and regulations; Represents ECDSS in child welfare and related matters with other governmental agencies and the courts; Ensures child welfare legal unite staff performs work within the best practices of the multi-disciplinary framework of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC); Actively participates in CAC case review meetings and/or multi-disciplinary team meetings and attending multi-disciplinary interviews; Oversees the preparation of all required reports, budget requests and data analyses; Provides the Executive Director of Department of Social Services-Office of Counsel, with legal research and analysis on child welfare law as it affects Erie County Department of Social Services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the New York State Bar and two (2) years of experience in the practice of child welfare law, including experience trying NYS Family Court Act Article 10 (physical and sexual abuse) cases and also forensic interviewing of children.
This notice will be posted for the period March 28, 2024, through and including April 6, 2024.
If interested and meet the above qualifications, please send a resume to:
Jill Rodriguez
Principal Confidential Aide-Social Services
95 Franklin Street, Room 811
Buffalo NY 14202
Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity.