ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Dss Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gaston County, NC

DSS Attorney I

Gastonia, NC · On-site

Attorney must have familiarity with laws, ordinances, regulations, statutes, and policies primarily regarding juveniles, probate, child support, and adult protective services and such other areas as ...

State of South Carolina

Attorney II / 61082926

Columbia, SC · On-site

$66K - $92K/yr

All correspondence from DSS Human Resources will be made through electronic mail, unless otherwise ... The County Attorney II provides professional legal services and representation for assigned county ...

County of Monmouth

Attorney

Freehold, NJ

$80K - $90K/yr

The primary duty will be providing legal representation for DSS in Monmouth County Superior Court ... The attorney will also be responsible for representing DSS in Administrative Fair Hearings ...

City of New York

ATTORNEY II

Manhattan, NY · On-site

... DSS program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with federal, state and ... The Attorney II will: - Provide legal assistance to HRA and DHS program areas by researching legal ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDss Attorney Jobs

Dss Attorney information

See salary details

$40.5K

$98.3K

$192K

How much do dss attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for dss attorney in the United States is $98,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a DSS Attorney, and how can they be managed effectively?

DSS Attorneys often navigate heavy caseloads and emotionally charged cases involving child welfare, abuse, or neglect. Balancing the legal complexities with the need to protect vulnerable individuals can be demanding. Effective time management, strong communication with caseworkers and other stakeholders, and ongoing professional development are crucial for success. Building resilience and seeking support from colleagues can also help manage the emotional aspects of the role.

What are DSS Attorneys?

DSS Attorneys, or Department of Social Services Attorneys, are legal professionals who represent state or county social services agencies in legal matters. Their primary responsibilities include handling cases related to child welfare, child support enforcement, adult protective services, and other social services issues. They work to ensure that the agency complies with laws and regulations, represent the agency in court, and provide legal advice to social workers and staff. DSS Attorneys often collaborate with other professionals to protect vulnerable populations and uphold the mission of the social services department.

What is the difference between Dss Attorney vs Legal Assistant?

AspectDss AttorneyLegal Assistant
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, legal licenseAssociate degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal departmentsLaw offices, corporate legal teams, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal professionals, law firms, judiciaryLegal support staff, law firms, corporate legal departments

While both Dss Attorneys and Legal Assistants work within the legal industry, Dss Attorneys are licensed legal professionals with law degrees and bar admission, handling legal cases and providing legal advice. Legal Assistants support attorneys with administrative and research tasks but do not hold a law license. They work closely in the same environments but have different responsibilities and credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DSS Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DSS Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and a strong understanding of family law, child welfare, and administrative proceedings. Familiarity with case management systems, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and court filing procedures is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and empathy are crucial soft skills for advocating effectively and supporting vulnerable clients. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure ethical, efficient representation and positive legal outcomes for children and families in the social services system.
More about Dss Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Dss Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Dss Attorney job openings:
What states have the most Dss Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Dss Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Dss Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Dss Attorney jobs are:
Dss Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dss Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,330 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

DSS Attorney I

Gaston County, NC

Gastonia, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Gaston County Department of Social Services, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1495
Department: SOCIAL SERVICES
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community that is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. We are a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service.
As an employee of Gaston County, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county.
Description
The Gaston County Department of Social Services Legal Team provides legal representation to the staff of the agency in areas of Child Support Enforcement, Adoption, Protective Services for adults and children, and Guardianship.
Examples of Duties
The anticipated hiring range for this position is $41.97 - $49.84
The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.
  • Represents the Division of Social Services in juvenile matters arising under N.C.G.S. Chapter 7B. Effectively represent the Division in court, counsel staff on legal matters and ensure court orders are completed timely.
  • Represents the Division of Social Services in Child Support matters arising under N.C.G.S. Chapter 110. Effectively represent the Division in court, counsel staff on legal matters and ensure court orders are completed accurately and timely.
  • Represents the Division of Social Services in Adult Protective Services matters arising under N.C.G.S. Chapter 108A and Guardianship matters under N.C.G.S. Chapter 35A. Effectively represent the Division in court, counsel staff on legal matters and ensure court orders are completed timely.
  • Attend CLE's, review statutes, case law and listserv, and generally make efforts to obtain and maintain expertise in all relevant areas of the law. Provide training to staff on an assigned and/or as needed basis to ensure staff are acting in compliance with relevant law and/or policy.
  • Other duties as assigned to include but not limited to attending board meetings, adoption committee meetings and assisting with matters to facilitate completion of adoptions, coordinating responses to media requests, ensuring proper response to subpoenas directed at the agency from third partices, and advising the director.
  • Employee must be available to work mandatory emergency shelters.

Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate degree with at least two (2) years of experience required. Must be currently licensed to practice law in North Carolina and hold membership in North Carolina and Gaston County Bar Association.
Attorney must have familiarity with laws, ordinances, regulations, statutes, and policies primarily regarding juveniles, probate, child support, and adult protective services and such other areas as may be required to represent the Department of Social Services.
A copy of transcripts must be included with the application. Failure to attach your college transcripts will result in an automatic rejection of your application.
Additional Information
The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment.
In compliance with G.S.153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.
At Gaston County, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws.
Gaston County will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Full-Time employees are eligible for the total compensation package which includes:
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Retirement Savings Plans
    • Pension
    • 401K (with 5% county contribution annually)
  • Flexible Work Schedules
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Discounted YMCA Membership
Part-Time employees are eligible for certain benefits as a part of employment with Gaston County such as:
  • Pro-Rated Sick and Annual Leave
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Local Government Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
Half-Time employees are not eligible for benefits.
To learn more details about the many benefits we provide view our
Overall, if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, Gaston County is the place for you.
01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Professional degree
  • Doctorate degree

02
Do you have at least two (2) years of experience practicing law?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Are you licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do you hold membership with the NC and Gaston Bar Associations?
  • Yes
  • No

05
Have you attached a copy of your college transcripts as required?Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Apply