Closing Date: 17th June, 2026
Description:
Description:Provides legal services toDepartment ofHuman andSocial Services (hereinafter“DSS”) focusing in the areas of Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services.Attendscourt on behalf of DSS withthe majority ofsuch representation in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. ?Also,shouldbe prepared torepresentDSSon appeals to the Circuit Court, theVirginia Court of Appeals, and the Virginia Supreme Court. Prepares cases for trial, interviews witnesses, examines law and evidence.Draftsmotions,pleadings,and briefs in support of the department's legal position. Applicants shouldpossessexcellent communication skills and be able to deal effectively with public officials and thegeneral public. One to fiveyearsexperiencein working on Social Service issues or family lawpreferred. Complete an online city application on our website and attach your law school transcript.
Virginia State Bar membership is required. Law degree from an accredited law school is required. The ideal candidate would have one to fiveyearsrelated experience and/or training in thepractice of law with litigation, socialservicesand/or familylaw experience.
Please attach your resume, law schooltranscriptand a writing sample to your application.
The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.
To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.
This is an exempt position.
Examples of Duties:Summary?
Provides legal servicesexclusively to the City's Department ofHuman and Social Services, personallyadvisingtheDirectorofDSSand such othergroupswithin the departmenton legal matters.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities? include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Attends meetings of boards and commissions of the City and renders on-the-spot legal advice to these groups
Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases and other difficult legal documents on behalf of the City
Investigates, processes, and litigates claims against the City
Prepares cases for trial, interviews witnesses, examines law and evidence
Represents the City in trial and appellate litigation
Prepares formal legal opinions for the signature of the City Attorney
Conducts title searches, certifies titles and handles closings
Renders legal advice on a daily basis to officers, departments and agencies of the City designated by the City Attorney
Studies City, State and Federal and general municipal law for information and precedents bearing on City legal problems
Providing legal support for the Department ofHuman and Social Services–
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervision of clerical assistants. Carries out supervisory responsibilitiesin accordance withthe organization's policies and applicable laws.
Typical Qualifications:
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilityrequired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.?? ?
Education And/or Experience?
Law Degree from An Accredited Law School; One to Fiveyears Related Experience And/or Training in The Practice of Law; or Equivalent Combination of Education and Experience.Experience in Windows,wordand Excel.
Supplemental Information:
Please attach your resume, law schooltranscriptand a writing sample to your application.
The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.
To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.
This is an exempt position.
Examples of Duties:Summary?
Provides legal servicesexclusively to the City's Department ofHuman and Social Services, personallyadvisingtheDirectorofDSSand such othergroupswithin the departmenton legal matters.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities? include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Attends meetings of boards and commissions of the City and renders on-the-spot legal advice to these groups
Drafts ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases, releases and other difficult legal documents on behalf of the City
Investigates, processes, and litigates claims against the City
Prepares cases for trial, interviews witnesses, examines law and evidence
Represents the City in trial and appellate litigation
Prepares formal legal opinions for the signature of the City Attorney
Conducts title searches, certifies titles and handles closings
Renders legal advice on a daily basis to officers, departments and agencies of the City designated by the City Attorney
Studies City, State and Federal and general municipal law for information and precedents bearing on City legal problems
Providing legal support for the Department ofHuman and Social Services–
- Foster care placement;
- Termination of parental rights;
- Adult guardianship appointments;
- Inter-jurisdictional disputes;
- Child Protective Orders;
- Emergency removal order for children;
- Children's Services Act
- Responding to subpoenas for records; and
- Similar proceedings in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Circuit Court.
- Provide legal representation to the Roanoke Interagency Council. This Council was formed by the city of Roanoke as required by the comprehensive Services Act provision of the state code to provide an interagency approach to dealing with at riskyouth.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervision of clerical assistants. Carries out supervisory responsibilitiesin accordance withthe organization's policies and applicable laws.
Typical Qualifications:
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilityrequired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.?? ?
Education And/or Experience?
Law Degree from An Accredited Law School; One to Fiveyears Related Experience And/or Training in The Practice of Law; or Equivalent Combination of Education and Experience.Experience in Windows,wordand Excel.
Supplemental Information:
Language Skills?
Ability to Read, Analyze, and Interpret the Most Complex Documents. Ability to Respond Effectively to The Most Sensitive Inquiries or Complaints Orally or In Writing. Ability to Make Effective and Persuasive Speeches and Presentations on Controversial or Complex Topics.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to Define Problems, Collect Data,establishfacts, and Draw Valid Conclusions. Ability to Interpret a Variety Ofinstructions and Deal with Several Abstract and Concrete Variables.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations?
Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of Virginia.
Physical Demands?
The Physical Demands Described Here Are Representative of Those that Must Be Met by An Employee to Successfully Perform the Essential Functions of This Job. Reasonableaccommodationsmay Be Made to Enable Individuals with Disabilities to Perform the Essential Functions.
While Performing the Duties of This Job, the Employeeis Regularly Required Towalk; Sit; Use Hands to Finger, Handle, or Feel; Reach with Hands and Arms; and Talk or Hear. ?the Employeefrequentlyis Required Tostand. the Employee Must Regularly Lift And/or Move up To 10 Pounds. ?specific Vision Abilities Required by This Job Include Ability to Adjust Focus.
Work Environment ?
The Work Environment Characteristics Described Here Are Representative of Those an Employee Encounters While Performing the Essential Functions of This Job. Reasonableaccommodationsmay Be Made to Enable Individuals with Disabilities to Perform the Essential Functions.
The Noise Level in The Work Environment Is Usually Moderate.
This Is a Job Description and Not an Individualized Position Description. a Job Description Defines the General Character and Scope of Duties and Responsibilities of All Positions in A Job Classification, but It Is Not Intended to Describe and Does Not Necessarily List the Essential Job Functions for A Given Position in A Classification.
Ability to Read, Analyze, and Interpret the Most Complex Documents. Ability to Respond Effectively to The Most Sensitive Inquiries or Complaints Orally or In Writing. Ability to Make Effective and Persuasive Speeches and Presentations on Controversial or Complex Topics.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to Define Problems, Collect Data,establishfacts, and Draw Valid Conclusions. Ability to Interpret a Variety Ofinstructions and Deal with Several Abstract and Concrete Variables.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations?
Eligibility to Practice Law in The State of Virginia.
Physical Demands?
The Physical Demands Described Here Are Representative of Those that Must Be Met by An Employee to Successfully Perform the Essential Functions of This Job. Reasonableaccommodationsmay Be Made to Enable Individuals with Disabilities to Perform the Essential Functions.
While Performing the Duties of This Job, the Employeeis Regularly Required Towalk; Sit; Use Hands to Finger, Handle, or Feel; Reach with Hands and Arms; and Talk or Hear. ?the Employeefrequentlyis Required Tostand. the Employee Must Regularly Lift And/or Move up To 10 Pounds. ?specific Vision Abilities Required by This Job Include Ability to Adjust Focus.
Work Environment ?
The Work Environment Characteristics Described Here Are Representative of Those an Employee Encounters While Performing the Essential Functions of This Job. Reasonableaccommodationsmay Be Made to Enable Individuals with Disabilities to Perform the Essential Functions.
The Noise Level in The Work Environment Is Usually Moderate.
This Is a Job Description and Not an Individualized Position Description. a Job Description Defines the General Character and Scope of Duties and Responsibilities of All Positions in A Job Classification, but It Is Not Intended to Describe and Does Not Necessarily List the Essential Job Functions for A Given Position in A Classification.
