Assistant County Attorney, Child Welfare/Protective Issues

Are you a recent law school graduate who wants to gain valuable trial and courtroom experience?

Are you an experienced attorney who wants to protect the well-being of Westchester’s children?

Then the Westchester County Family Court Bureau is the place for you!

Join a diverse organization with multiple opportunities for professional growth while being in service to the success of Westchester County’s children, youth and families. Our work is rewarding, challenging and important. By joining our team, you're helping to create real, positive changes for many people and communities. Working as an Assistant County Attorney is a great opportunity for recent law school graduates and seasoned lawyers to work in the area of child welfare and gain significant and rapid litigation experience, appearing in court every day. You will build confidence in writing, presentation and time management while building daily relationships with judges and attorneys for parents and children.

Responsibilities Include But Not Limited to:

· Representing the Department of Social Services in Family Court on all aspects of child protective proceedings, from petition filing through contested trials and permanency hearings;

· Interviewing witnesses and other relevant parties to the litigation to determine admissibility of various types of evidence;

· Drafting legal documents, including pleadings, motions and memoranda of law; · Meeting with caseworkers to identify and analyze legal issues;

· Handling a full caseload; case investigations, motion practice, discovery and courtroom advocacy including pre-trial hearings, trials and dispositional hearings;

· Preparing and maintaining case files and documents in advance of court appearances; · Conducting legal research and regularly reviewing relevant case laws and regulations and providing advice to the Department of Social Services on issues relating to permanency and well-being of children in foster care;

· Preparing and presenting trainings both within the Family Court Bureau and to other agencies and stakeholders;

· May be required to attend various inter-agency and county meetings.

Required Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have graduated from a school of law with a JD degree and be admitted to the New York State Bar or pending admission. Experience in the Family Court is preferred but not required. Must be able to work collaboratively with County Attorney staff, other attorneys, court staff and other County agencies in a fast paced and demanding environment.

COME JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM!

Besides a competitive salary, our generous compensation package includes comprehensive benefits (including medical, dental, and vision), paid leave (including holidays, vacation and personal days), deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan.

Please submit a cover letter along with your resume to jobs@westchestercountyny.gov.

Important: In The Subject Line of your email, please include “Assistant County Attorney, Family Court Bureau, Child Protection” Westchester County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Westchester County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

About Westchester County

Westchester County, located in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, covers 500 square miles and has a population of just over 1 million. Originally home to Native Americans of the Lenape tribe, it is now a rich mix of diverse cultures and landscapes. The County is a blend of bustling cities, quaint villages, and picturesque towns, as well as open spaces and a network of beautiful parks. Westchester is made up of six cities, 19 towns, and 20 villages. The County is known for its top-notch public schools and high quality of life. It is also an intellectual capital, boasting a highly educated workforce, competitive colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, world-changing nonprofits, and cutting-edge research centers. Westchester is led by County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins, who took office in January 2025 as the tenth County Executive. Focusing on innovation, Jenkins is leveraging technology and fostering business growth to position Westchester as a dynamic and inclusive destination where everyone can thrive. Learn more about Westchester County by visiting www.westchestergov.com