Closing Date: 11th March, 2026

Description:

Job Responsibilities:
Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

Job Duties:

The Attorney V provides legal advice and consultation regarding Information Security, Confidentiality and Privacy, represents the Agency in matters regarding Procurement, (including negotiations, controversies and protests of solicitations, etc.) Internal Operations and Civil Rights. Represents DSS before administrative tribunals, provides legal advice to agency personnel on other complex legal matters; serves as liaison with state and federal agencies as needed. Additionally, provides advice on Medicaid and health coverage/medical necessity determinations for the Office of Child Health and Well-Being, including litigation of contested matters in Administrative Appeals to Select Health and DHHS, and other related litigation. Represents the Agency in personnel matters as assigned and provides legal support to OGC adoptions.
Provides legal advice and consultation in areas related to information security, confidentiality, FOIA, complex discovery, and other information disclosures, as requested. Advises the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the Director of I.T., and other DSS officials, to include the State Director, concerning data sharing and information security policies. In collaboration with other OGC and agency staff, serves as liaison to legal counsel working with the State CIO, the Department of Administration and other state entities as needed. Develops and delivers training related to legal and regulatory aspects of information security and confidentiality, with conjunction with other OGC and agency staff.
Provides legal advice and representation regarding Procurement and Contracts, Civil Rights, and Internal Operations. Provides the Deputy Director for Administration, as requested, with advice on matters related to Department of Administration's MMO, ITMO, DSIT, State Fleet and General Services division.
Provides legal advice, consultation and representation on agency personnel matters. As requested by the Deputy Director for Administration, provides assistance in the development and delivery of legal training for procurement and support services staff. Provides, as requested, legal advice and consultation related to IRF tort, pre-paid legal, and other agency insurance policies and their application. Provides support to OGC adoptions.
Provides legal advice and litigation representation to the Office of Child Health and Well-Being for Medicaid and health coverage/medical necessity determinations and litigation of contested matters in Administrative Appeals to Select Health and DHHS, and other related litigation. Supervises staff attorneys assigned to such litigation.
Provides supervision and leadership to Office of General Counsel Staff Attorneys, including the FOIA Officer; develops and oversees broad training and clinical rotation experiential learning track for OGC staff attorneys.
Monitors and provides support to outside legal counsel in tort and other civil suits filed against DSS.
Provides program advice and develops informational and instructional materials related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and its application to agency activities.
Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty or services as directed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements:
A Juris Doctor Degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Necessary Special Requirement: Must be a member of the SC BAR.

Please Note: A writing sample must be submitted with the application. Argumentative documents preferred, briefs and motions are not preferred.

Experience as a DSS Attorney preferred.:
SPECIAL NOTICE: Resumes may be submitted in lieu of filling out the work experience of the online application. The following sections are required for consideration: personal information, preferences, agency-wide questions and job specific supplemental questions.

Preferred Qualifications:
Thorough knowledge of the laws of SC & Federal statutes and regulations governing the various program areas. Thorough knowledge of policies, standards & procedures of the Office of General Counsel. Thorough knowledge of general case, statutory & common law & of judicial & quasi-judicial procedures & rules of procedure, including ethics considerations. The ability to interpret statues, regulations and judicial decisions; and to analyze factual circumstances within the framework of controlling statues, regulations and judicial decisions. The ability to express orally and in writing, factual and legal conclusions & arguments clearly and cogently.

Additional Comments:
This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.

Must possess a valid driver's license. The employee must be able to communicate effectively (written and orally) and write legibly. May be required to work after hours and/or some overnight travel and must be able to lift approximately 15-20 lbs.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.