Closing Date: 1st September, 2026
Description:
About this Job:Department Mission
To protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities so every child grows up safe, stable, and strong.
Department Vision
A future where every child thrives in a loving environment, supported by empowered families and resilient communities.
A future where every child thrives in a loving environment, supported by empowered families and resilient communities.
Department Values
Treating all people with dignity, compassion and respect, while providing services with integrity.
At The Department of Children and Family Services, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.
Join our Team - Attorney 1-3
This position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) /Office of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/Child Welfare Section (CWS), specializing in the area of juvenile and family law, social services law and programs. It is responsible for independently providing highly technical legal direction, advice, assistance, consultation, representation and having a direct influence on operations of the regional program offices and/or parish offices. The major programs of DCFS include child protection investigations, foster care, family services, adoption services, and foster/adoptive home development. Incumbent is independently responsible for being knowledgeable with regards to all special laws relevant to the functioning of DCFS which may affect the health, safety and welfare of the state's children and families.
If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact—this could be the opportunity for you!
Minimum Qualifications:
Treating all people with dignity, compassion and respect, while providing services with integrity.
At The Department of Children and Family Services, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.
Join our Team - Attorney 1-3
This position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) /Office of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/Child Welfare Section (CWS), specializing in the area of juvenile and family law, social services law and programs. It is responsible for independently providing highly technical legal direction, advice, assistance, consultation, representation and having a direct influence on operations of the regional program offices and/or parish offices. The major programs of DCFS include child protection investigations, foster care, family services, adoption services, and foster/adoptive home development. Incumbent is independently responsible for being knowledgeable with regards to all special laws relevant to the functioning of DCFS which may affect the health, safety and welfare of the state's children and families.
If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact—this could be the opportunity for you!
Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.
Career Progression: This vacancy may be filled as an Attorney 1, 2 or 3 depending on experience.
Compensation: Special Entrance Rates have been established for Attorney job titles.
Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.
Work Location: Baton Rouge, La
Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.
How to Apply:
No Civil Service Test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.
Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in this application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Human Resources
Department of Children and Family Services
HR.Inquiry@la.gov
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
- Require highly developed litigation and in-house counsel skills.
- Extensive trial work includes, but not limited to administrative appeals, child abuse case review hearings, dispositional review hearings adoption proceedings and termination of parental rights trials.
- Prepare legal documents, affidavits, contracts and petitions.
- Assist other legal sections with litigation, trails and appeals.
- Possess special knowledge of complex statutory and regulatory laws.
- Prepares staff and represents DCFS in mediations.
- Consult with DCFS Attorney Supervisor, Deputy General Counsel 2 or General Counsel regarding conflicting issues.
- Performs other duties as assigned for the smooth operation of the Department.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.
Career Progression: This vacancy may be filled as an Attorney 1, 2 or 3 depending on experience.
Compensation: Special Entrance Rates have been established for Attorney job titles.
- Attorney 1-SER: $ 2,426.40/bi-weekly
- Attorney 2-SER: $ 2,596.00/bi-weekly
- Attorney 3-SER: $ 2,920.80/bi-weekly
Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.
Work Location: Baton Rouge, La
Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.
How to Apply:
No Civil Service Test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.
Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in this application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Human Resources
Department of Children and Family Services
HR.Inquiry@la.gov
