Executive Service
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
Department of Children's Services
Cookeville, TN
Monthly Salary Range: $8,408.00 - $13,417.00
Closing Date 05/17/2023
Job Overview:
Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional legal work of considerable difficulty; and performs related work as required.
- Work Activities: Represent the Department of Children's Services in various Judicial proceedings, primarily in Juvenile and Circuit Count in an Assigned area, using sound legal judgment and experience to obtain rulings favorable to our positions and in the best interest of children. Addressing safety, treatment needs and individual children's educational issues for children in the care or custody of the State.
- Provide legal consultation and support to DCS staff preparing them for pending litigation and advising them concerning emergency and non-emergency factual situations to determine if legal action is warranted.
- Travel between the various county offices and courts to attend conferences with staff and judicial hearings.
- Meet with witnesses, issue subpoenas, review documents and other evidence, such as photographs or audio tapes. Review the records, including notes of interviews to prepare questions for court. Where necessary, research various medical conditions in order to question expert witnesses for the State and for the defense.
- Draft legal pleadings in order to advance the goals of our Department guided by applicable statutes and case law decisions.
- Review legal referrals from DCS staff regarding child custody, guardianship, and adoption to determine what legal action is appropriate and necessary.
- Conduct periodic training to update DCS staff to on changes in the law and policy regarding investigation and litigation of child custody and guardianship cases. Assure accurate and detailed legal records and files are maintained in safe, secure facilities containing the latest documentation available.
- Assure accurate and detailed legal records and files are maintained in safe, secure facilities containing the latest documentation available.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education and Experience: Graduation from an approved school of law
- Possession of a license to practice law in the State of Tennessee.
- Must be in good standing with the Board of Professional Responsibility.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
