Utah Attorney General's Office - Assistant Attorney General - Child Protection - Provo
The Utah Office of the Attorney General, Child Protection Division, has an immediate opening for an attorney to represent the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) by petitioning the Fourth District Juvenile Court to exercise protective jurisdiction over suspected child victims of abuse, neglect and dependency. This position is located in Provo, Utah.
Applicants must be able to manage a high volume of very active cases, moving at a fast pace with much at stake in terms of impact to children and families. Incumbent is also responsible to approve warrants to search for and remove children from parents' custody; screen cases with Child Protective Services and law enforcement; perform legal research; prepare summonses, petitions, subpoenas, discovery responses, motions, memoranda, orders and other legal documents; and consult with DCFS representatives. They will represent DCFS at multi-disciplinary-team meetings, family-team meetings and mediation as well as at administrative hearings and defend appeals from administrative hearings. The successful candidate will prosecute abuse, neglect and dependency matters at shelter, pre-trial, adjudication, disposition, review, permanency, and other hearings; and will prosecute petitions to terminate parental rights and appear at associated hearings.
At least three years legal experience is required, with preference being given to applicants with prosecution or other trial experience. Applicants must possess excellent written and oral advocacy skills and have the experience and ability to immediately take over an existing caseload. Membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required.
Example of Duties
Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
Determines discovery needs, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
Represents the state or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, negotiations, complaints and/or other matters.
Drafts working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards.
Conducts conferences with defendants and/or attorneys, negotiates settlements, and prepares witnesses to testify in court.
Represents agency at formal or informal hearings and/or trials.
May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.
Typical Qualifications
(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)
agency and/or organizational program(s)
communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
legal processes and procedures
applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
civil and criminal justice laws
understand and apply case and statutory law
evaluate information against a set of standards
use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
rules of evidence and civil and/or criminal procedure
interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
principles, theories, and practices of judicial or administrative law
Supplemental Information
A Juris Doctor is required.
Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
Where statute mandates, active membership in the Utah State Bar.
Must be able to travel as required.
Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA 53-3-202(1)(a).