TECHNICAL ADVISOR II - Aurora

Job Responsibilities

Under general direction of the Downstate Supervisory Regional Counsel, serves as Regional Counsel; represents the Department at hearings on calendars in Juvenile Courts of assigned counties; appears personally in court, especially on high profile or complex cases, in the performance of duties; provides technical advice and counsel to agency personnel involved in administrative hearings; provides input into or conducts legal screenings; advocates for the filing of termination of parental rights petitions; provides legal case consultation to regional staff regarding areas of law affecting the Department’s operations; responds in an appropriate manner to requests for assistance from State’s Attorneys; provides assistance with subpoena compliance; drives to various locations in the performance of duties. 

1. As directed, represents the Department at all hearings on calendars in the Juvenile Courts of assigned counties, including temporary custody, adjudication, disposition, permanency, status, progress, termination of parental rights, and motion hearings; appears personally in court, especially on high profile or complex cases, in the performance of duties; drives to various locations in the performance of duties.

2. Provides technical advice and counsel to Agency personnel conducting all levels of administrative “fair hearings”; serves as the Department’s representative in the “fair hearing” process; represents the Department in administrative hearings on cases where requests have been made to expunge or amend records of child abuse or neglect and service appeals; makes recommendations on appropriate action.

3. Provides input into or conducts legal screenings to determine whether matters are legally sufficient to present to the court and to assist in preparing cases for guardianship transfer or termination of parental rights (TPR); when deficiencies are identified, informs the workers and supervisor of the deficiencies and recommends necessary corrective action; advocates for the filing of TPR petitions in cases determined to be trial ready through the legal screening process; documents appropriate action in all assigned counties.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

4. Provides legal advice and case consultation to regional staff regarding moderately difficult questions involving the application of laws, rules, and regulations affecting the Department’s operations; provides technical assistance to court liaisons, supervisors, and social workers in developing case presentations and interpreting court orders, statutes, and regulations; provides input into regional and administrative meetings as requested by the Regional Administrator or Downstate Supervisory Regional Counsel.

5. Prepares pleadings necessary to transfer guardianship from the Department to foster parents or relative caregivers and complete the court proceedings in a timely manner; prepares probate petitions and related legal pleadings to transfer guardianship responsibilities from DCFS to the Office of State Guardian for developmentally disabled wards age 18, 19, or 20, who require continued legal supervision.

6. Serves in a liaison capacity with the judiciary, State’s Attorney Offices, and various court personnel in assigned counties; responds in an appropriate manner to all requests for assistance from State’s Attorneys; monitors to ensure the Department’s position is effectively advocated in all courts in assigned counties; facilitates positive working relationships with all State’s Attorneys and judiciaries in area of assignment.

7. Serves as liaison with the Attorney General’s Office in cases in which the Department is represented by an Assistant Attorney General; provides assistance with subpoena compliance by preparing referral letters to the Attorney General for approval and signature by the Deputy General Counsel; advises the Downstate Supervisory Regional Counsel of cases in which Attorney General representation should be obtained.

8. Maintains current working knowledge of new legislation, agency rules and policy, statutory law, court rules, and all relevant state and federal law; conducts legal research and analysis and prepares reports on findings.

(Job Responsibilities Continued)

9. In a timely manner, advises the Downstate Supervisory Regional Counsel of pertinent issues and critical situations within the region, communicating all significant developments prior to taking any action which will determine the Department’s position or response; provides complete reporting of subsequent developments.

10. Attends all Regional Counsel and Office of Legal Services staff meetings; develops reports and conducts special projects, as assigned; monitors the activities of liaisons and provides training to address problematic areas and enhance liaison performance.

11. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires working knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Requires working knowledge of the common law and the provisions of state and federal laws relating to administrative and regulatory functions.
• Requires working knowledge of the principles of administration and management, including organization, controls and techniques used in dealing with management and procedural problems.
• Requires litigation skills.
• Requires ability to maintain satisfactory public contacts and working relationships with others.
• Requires ability to exercise sound judgment in appraising and evaluating problems of a procedural nature.
• Requires ability to use expediently all primary and secondary legal source materials, to analyze all legal documents and instruments and to prepare, conduct and report formal or informal administrative hearings.
• Requires skill and ability in analyzing, appraising, and organizing facts, evidence and precedents and in presenting such material, involving a moderately complex problem, in clear and logical form in written media as briefs, memoranda, summarizations, research reports or regulations.
• In addition to English verbal and written skills, candidates may be required to translate, speak and write a foreign language at a colloquial skill level. Some positions may require manual communication skills.

Employment Conditions

• Require possession of a valid appropriate driver's license or an ability to travel.
• Requires possession of a valid license to practice law in Illinois

Education Degree

• Requires graduation from a recognized law school.