Sr Deputy County Attorney- DSS_HP

Salary : $111,509.00 - $142,174.00 Annually
Location : 501 East Green Drive High Point, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 03807
Department: Legal
Opening Date: 02/06/2026
Closing Date: 2/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

GUILFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Empower Successful People to thrive in a Strong Community supported by Quality Government

Transparency & Communication | Equity & Inclusion | Accountability

Service & Outcomes Excellence | Our People Matter
Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
This position includes complex legal representation with additional responsibilities than Deputy or Assistant County Attorney.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Work shall require experience and competence covering a number of separate, even unrelated disciplines which are of particular importance and complexity or taking on responsibilities of lead attorney within a complex discipline, such as DSS. Senior Deputy County Attorney responsibilities include providing training to other attorneys within discipline and to other staff, within the department and within the DHHS-DSS division; serving as primary contact for judges and outside counsel connected to Abuse/Neglect/Dependency and Adult Protective Services; taking lead role in assisting in case management issues; and other duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides legal representation for DSS interests in all State and Federal Courts and administrative bodies as required.
• Provide information and legal opinions orally or in writing, including legal memorandums, office advice, consultation and advice in the field during developing situations.
• When serving as Lead Attorney within a complex discipline, the Senior Deputy County Attorney will be responsible for training other Attorneys within the discipline and establishing internal methodologies and procedures, and planning and scheduling assignments.
• Deliver presentations and trainings on child welfare legal and public policy issues, including implementation.
• Design substantive content for convenings, develop model documents, and conduct workshops for legal staff and client department.
• Reviews and apprises the progress of cases being pursued by Assistants and Deputy County Attorneys.
• Follows progress of cases through staff reports and meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of applicable substantive law and civil law, including NC statutory law and case law from the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and N.C. appellate court.
• Thorough knowledge of case law dealing with assigned department(s).
• Thorough knowledge of the operations, functions, directives and procedures of the assigned department or departments.
• Knowledge of N.C. and federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the drafting of pleadings, briefs, policies, directives, and guidelines based on such analysis.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the DSS Director and senior DSS management, other departmental and county employees, the Judiciary, personnel of the clerk of courts, outside agencies, press and elected officials.
• Ability to analyze complex factual situations and to select and apply the appropriate statutory law or case law and to prepare clear and unambiguous written pleadings, briefs, policies, directives and guidelines based on such analysis.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Ability to supervise and manage other's work.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited law school with a minimum of six years experience in local government or closely related field; must be licensed to practice law before the courts of North Carolina.

Special Requirements
License to practice law in the State of North Carolina.

*The interview process may include a skills exercise.
Supplemental Information

May Require Driving
This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.
Guilford County is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to employees and applicants for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or political affiliation. The County is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state and local laws that pertain to employment, and to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination of any kind. If you need an auxiliary aide, make the request forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the time the accommodation is needed by calling 336-641-3324.
We are excited about the opportunity of having you as a prospective new employee!

You probably already know our county is a wonderful county to live in, but did you know it is also a wonderful place to work?

Below are a few of the reasons why we love working for Guilford County.

We offer Health Insurance (UnitedHealthCare) to all benefitted employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The shared cost of the premium is based on scheduled/budgeted hours. If you are a full-time employee working 40 hours a week you can expect to pay less than $35 a month for medical coverage, dental coverage for $4 a month and vision coverage for $5 a month. That's less than $45 a month for medical, dental & vision coverage; that's unheard of.

Telehealth UHC Virtual Visits are available to you with no copay or out of pocket expense.

We are excited to inform you Guilford County has an Employee Wellness Center (24/7 access) with strength training equipment, cardio machines and a group exercise room with virtual or in person coaching from our Wellness Specialist!

Employee Assistance Program, 100% funded by the county. A superb benefit for you and your family absolutely free. Confidential help with personal or work-related issues.

13 paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 12 vacation days a year. That's 37 paid days a year, totaling almost 2 months of paid time off.

Employer contributes 5% into your 401(k) - no match required.

Enrollment in the State Retirement Plan by contributing 6%.

Longevity pay beginning at five years of service.

We provide a $10,000 Life and AD&D benefit to eligible employees.

Flexible spending accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside tax-free dollars for health care and dependent care.

Voluntary Life, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
01

Do you have a law degree from an accredited law school?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you have as an attorney in local government or closely related field?Human Resources will not process incomplete answers. You must also clearly state your experience in the Employment / Work History section of your employment application.

• Less than five years
• six or more years

03

Do you have a license to practice law before the courts of North Carolina?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina?*Must be listed under the Certificates and Licenses section on your application.

• Yes
• No

05

In your own words clearly describe your demonstrated expertise (company name, job duties, etc.) experience in local government or closely related field. If you have no experience, please type "Not Applicable" or "N/A." Applications with "See Resume" are considered incomplete and will be given no further consideration. Human Resources will not process incomplete answers. You must also clearly state your experience in the Employment / Work History section of your employment application.
06

I understand that an official copy of my college transcript will be required upon conditional offer of employment.

• Yes
• No

07

I understand that all Required Competencies, Work history and Credentials and Education must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application form to receive consideration during the selection process.Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application, "See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume" will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

• Yes
• No

08

Residency Requirement Acknowledgment, Guilford County requires that employees reside within a two-hour driving radius of the county. Question: Do you currently reside within a two-hour driving radius of Guilford County, NC, or are you willing to relocate to meet this requirement by your start date?

• Yes
• No

Required Question