Attorney Trainee

Attorney Trainee Erie County Department of Social Services - 2.9 Buffalo, NY Job Details Full-time From $83,959 a year 8 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Parental leave Employee assistance program Vision insurance Professional development assistance Retirement plan Qualifications Legal advocacy Appeals Law Employment & labor law Doctor of Law (JD) Criminal law experience Ability to follow instructions Family law Bar Full Job Description Job Overview We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic Attorney specializing in Social Services to join our legal team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to advocate for vulnerable populations, and provide expert legal guidance. The ideal candidate will possess good knowledge of constitutional law and municipal law; good knowledge of legal principles, terminology, and procedures; good knowledge of techniques involved in court presentation, investigation and prosecution of proceedings; ability to present clear and logical arguments of law by written or spoken word; ability to comprehend and carry out complex oral and written instructions; ability to get along well with others; personal and professional integrity; good judgment; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. This position provides legal counsel and guidance to administrative staff within the Department of Social Services. Working under the general direction of the Executive Director of the Office of Counsel, the Attorney participates in a wide range of legal matters involving the Department. The role involves professional legal work with significant opportunity for independent judgment. Supervision of clerical staff may be required. Additional related duties may be assigned. Duties Renders legal opinions on individual case problems; Gives counsel and advice on the interpretation of local, State and Federal laws; Coordinates activities in the legal area of the Department; Represents the Department in the prosecution of civil suits; Participates in the defense of civil suits against the Department; Participates in the areas of neglect and abuse, resident support, non-resident support and paternity proceedings in Family Court; Participates in civil fraud cases; Approves legal requirements in agency adoptions; Recovers claims against estates of deceased recipients in Surrogate's Court and on liens from personal injury claims in Supreme Court; Presents cases for Department in Fair Hearings before Hearing Officer; Conducts incompetency and conservatorship proceedings in the Supreme Court and handles all appeals in these proceedings; Participates in Juvenile Delinquent and PINS proceedings; Participates in Medicaid and Temporary Assistance proceedings; Maintains confidential files, and sensitive records; Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Thorough knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations related to Social Services Good knowledge of constitutional and municipal law Strong understanding of legal principles, terminology, and procedural practices Skill in courtroom presentation, investigation, and legal advocacy Ability to present clear, logical legal arguments orally and in writing Ability to understand and execute complex written and verbal instructions Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with others High ethical standards, good judgment, and professional integrity Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation Qualifications Juris Doctor degree from an accredited institution One (1) year of experience in one or more of the following areas: child abuse/neglect law, child support enforcement, domestic relations law, family law, public interest or poverty law, elder law, welfare fraud law, or criminal prosecution. Possession of a practice order from the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division, Fourth Department. Admission to the NYS Bar is required within one year to advance to Attorney (Grade XV)

Substitution:

Completion of 24 semester credit hours in any combination of the above fields may substitute for the required one year of experience.

Special Requirements Residency Requirement:

Candidates must be residents of Erie County, New York, at the time of appointment. Positions with access to federal tax information require a suitability background investigation, including FBI fingerprinting, local law enforcement checks, and verification of citizenship/residency. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate; determinations are made individually. Background check costs are covered by the Department. HELPS Program Classification This title is temporarily classified as Non‑Competitive under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (HELPS) Program as approved by the State Civil Service Commission on October 24, 2025. Degree Verification Degrees must be from institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Degrees earned outside the U.S. require independent verification of equivalency at the applicant's expense. Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee. If interested and meet the above qualifications, please APPLY online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/erieco/jobs/5271702/attorney-social-services?pagetype=transferJobs and attach transcripts OR fill out an Application for Employment at erie.gov, attach transcripts and send to: Starlet Saffron, Personnel Specialist, 95 Franklin St., Room 604, Buffalo, NY 14202

Pay:

From $83,959.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person