Description:

Incumbent serves as Attorney for the A Government Entity CASA Program, responsible for providing legal representation for CASA volunteers and Staff Advocates.

Duties:
Receives and reviews court documents and other information, and discusses with and advises clients regarding various issues, including defenses, legal motions, investigations, witnesses, evidence, agreements, trial strategy, disposition, and petitions for contempt or compliance.

Conducts case investigations, including interviewing law enforcement personnel and witnesses, and/or DCS and CASA personnel, reviewing arrest and other reports, taking depositions and statements, and consulting with investigators, as necessary.

Prepares and files pre-trial motions, such appearances, motions for discovery and other motions. Appears in court for initial, status and disposition hearings, pre-trial conferences, fact finding, review, and permanency hearings, bond reduction hearings, contempt and other hearings, discussing cases and negotiating agreements or case dismissal with attorneys as appropriate.

Prepares for hearings and/or trials, including filing documents, preparing motions, pleadings, discovery responses, subpoenas, correspondence and witness lists, interviewing clients and witnesses, obtaining mental health or treatment documents, reviewing case law, consulting experts, preparing opening statements, arguments, evidence and trial exhibits, and preparing and filing appeals as necessary.

Periodically prepares and presents oral and/or written reports to court regarding department activities and caseload and assists in training CASA volunteers and staff about legal issues.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. Job Requirements:

Doctorate Degree in Jurisprudence with license to practice law in Indiana, including completion of course work, training, and experience as required by State Guidelines for CHINS/TPR, and appeals.
Completion of continuing legal education credits as required.
Thorough knowledge of Indiana Statutes concerning children in need of services (CHINS) and termination of parental rights (TPR).
Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal, state, and local laws, standard procedures, rules of evidence, and rules of court.
Ability to follow all department policies and procedures including, but not limited to, qualification standards, caseload limitations, and conflict screening.
Ability to conduct legal research, thorough investigations and interviews, and effectively prepare and present cases in legal proceedings.
Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, attorneys, court and law enforcement personnel, DCS and CASA personnel, witnesses, respondents and their families, and members of the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to State requirements.
Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.
Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
Ability to work rapidly for long periods, on several tasks at the same time and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions, often under time pressure.
Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travel out of town to meet with witnesses, sometimes overnight.
Possession of a valid driver's license and a demonstrated safe driving record.

II. Difficulty of Work:
Incumbent's duties are broad in scope, often requiring careful consideration of new, unusual, complex and/or contradictory circumstances and interrelationships. Incumbent exercises independent judgment in interpreting precedents, adapting standard approaches and making compromises to fit varying situations.

III. Responsibility:
Incumbent applies legal guidelines and professional standards in making non-routine decisions and recommendations, reviewing unusual cases with supervisor as needed. Incumbents work is periodically reviewed for soundness of judgment.

IV. Personal Work Relationships:
Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, attorneys, court and law enforcement personnel, DCS and CASA personnel, witnesses, respondents and their families, and members of the public for purposes of exchanging information, investigating, negotiating agreements, and arguing cases in legal proceedings.

Incumbent reports directly to Executive Director.

V. Physical Effort and Work Environment:
Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a courtroom or a standard office environment involving sitting/standing for long periods, sitting and walking at will, close vision, hearing communication, driving, speaking clearly, handling/grasping/fingering objects, occasionally lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, and exposure to potentially violent/confrontational individuals. Incumbent occasionally works extended, weekend, and/or evening hours, and occasionally travels out of town to meet with witnesses, sometimes overnight.